The Perfections of God and Our Answer

“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.” Psalms 50:2

Even as the stars are not visible to the eye during the noonday sun, the sun itself will not be seen when we stand under God’s shining and perfect light. I say that with great assurance, and because I do, I pray the readers of this blog will take a moment to imagine a God of perfection of beauty and eternal shining; with no darkness, spot or blemish. He is altogether lovely and loving. Even if you are not assured, what is but a moment to consider Him today compared to an eternity of wondering, “Why had I not listened? Oh! Forever damned and wretched man that I am!”

As brilliant as that light shines,
My darkness ever deep.
The flames arise, surrounding me
No sleep at night, no rest; no peace.
If ‘ere I heard the Gospel once,
And flew to Christ my King;
His blood would douse these awful flames,
And dry my eyes. Oh, how I weep!
But never-no; not now, I can’t.
I missed my call; too late.

Another way to understand the perfections of God would be to examine the nature of sin and its offense to Him. God can not entertain the least blot or blemish; sin or transgression in His presence for there is no darkness in Him. Those who have a high view of their goodness and a superficial concept of sin fool themselves. Inasmuch as the length of our lives is bounded, one could say the number of our sins is limited. However, we cannot begin to imagine the multitude of them. They are simply countless. For the unbeliever, every day that is lived results in a succession of sins because all thoughts and actions are centered on self; no glory is given to God.  This is true also of Christians, who grieve the Holy Spirit, by not living in a manner that demonstrates that they love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and might, and their neighbor as themselves.

God makes no distinction between murder and adultery, whether in practice or thought. “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28. Thus, whether sin is openly committed or secreted in the heart or mind, it exists. To the Pharisees Jesus commented, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” Matthew 23:25. We cannot begin to conceive of the sin that is committed within our hearts and minds as our hearts covet what others have, and our thoughts of lust and hatred run rampant.

Of course, man advances the notion that some sins are worse than others and they compare themselves against their standard.  While, yes, some are more abominable as specifically mentioned in Scripture, even the least of sins condemn to death the dead and dying man. Lying, bearing a false witness against another, and what we call petty jealousy is sin.  The occasional; if not frequent, use of OMG in a text demeans God’s name and is a direct violation of the first table of the Ten Commandments. Would not any respected and honorable man, if he overheard another disrespectfully speak of him, seek to regain his good name? Would not even the drunkard in the gutter not want vengeance? How much more is that true of God? Please be aware: God’s word is patient; but never is idle. The One Who exists eternally, and knows its reality, can afford to be patient if He chooses in His mercy and goodness to be so. To us? What is the span of our lives and this world? It is but a mere vapor; once past, we cannot return, but the decisions that we make today will have an eternal consequence.

It bears consideration.