One-dimensional View of God

Still thinking about love, and that God is love. It's so sublimely true, and any conception of God is incomplete without it. But then isn't any conception of God, or of us for that matter - incomplete when the concept can only speak of one facet of a person's character.

Don't get me wrong, to say that God is love is scriptural, fundamental and essential. Often quoted is 1 John 4:16 - "God is love". But the next verse then says that the purpose of this love is so that it will be "made complete among us so that we will have confidence in the day of judgment". Even here the facet of God's love is made to shine brighter by being connected to His righteousness and holiness.

Like a diamond, no one facet can sparkle on it's own. It's the totality of the facets in relationship to one another that result in its brilliance. In the same way, God is not God without His love reflected through His holiness, or His holiness reflected through His love. And so on for all His attributes. Some examples from scripture:

•    Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
•    Romans 12:9 - Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
•    Hebrews 12:6 - For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines.
•    1 John 3:16 - We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us.

We see God's great love by His sacrifice of His Son, in order that the requirements of His own holiness. would be met. It was holy love. Without God being a Holy God, the sacrifice (Christ's death on the cross) would have been a waste, because there would be no sin to pay for.

Our great need in theology these days is an accurate and complete view of God.

-RD