Day 23 – Final Authority
God describes Himself to us in many verses in Scriptures. He has not hidden His character from mankind at all. As you read the following verses, jot down on a piece of paper the character trait of God outlined in that particular verse.
(Exo 20:5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
(Exo 34:14) For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:(Deu 4:24) For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.(Deu 5:9) Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
(Deu 6:15) (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
(Jos 24:19) And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
(1Ki 19:10) And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
(Eze 39:25) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
(Joe 2:18 ) Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
(Nah 1:2) God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
(Zec 1:14) So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
(Zec 8:2) Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
(Psa 15:4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
(Mal 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
(Psa 119:89) LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
(Psa 119:105) NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(Psa 119:140) Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
(Psa 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
(Joh 17:17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(1 Jn 4:8 ) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
These are the characteristics of God that I came up with:
1. God is jealous
2. God is a consuming fire
3. God is angry
4. God is holy
5. God is merciful
6. God pities
7. God will take vengeance on his enemies
8. God doesn’t change
9. God means business (His word is final)
10. God is compassionate
11. God is truth (never lies)
12. God is love
These are not all the verses in Scriptures that teach us about God’s character, but just a few. There’s enough here, however, to teach us that we ought to take notice of God’s character traits. They are documented for a reason. God has not left us without knowledge. He has not left us empty handed and blind. Instead, He has left us with His Word which clearly outlines what His expectations are and what we must do to fulfill those expectations.
We have learned here that the One and only God is a Holy God – He cannot sin. He repeatedly tells us that He is a jealous God. If God is as jealous as His Word shows us, you can better believe that He will not share His throne with anyone else. He also will not allow someone else to receive the adoration that is clearly to be given to Him.
We also have learned that His anger can and will be kindled if we rebel and disobey Him. The Word teaches that God never changes, therefore what He says in His Word will never change. To state otherwise says that God is lying and we know that this is impossible. Since God never changes, then it stands to reason that whatever is in His Word will never change. If God says that He alone is to be revered and adored, then no one else can be added to the list. If God says that He is the only Mediator, then no one else can assume that role. If God says that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then one cannot gain entrance to heaven by believing in Allah or Buddha. What does one do when the Word of God says one thing and the world’s religions say another?
The devil loves nothing more than to confuse mankind by twisting God’s Word. It began in the Garden of Eden with “Hath God said” and it continues on today. In fact, it is worse today. Today we have countless translations of the Bible. Mankind wonders if they actually have God’s Word or just a “record” of God’s words. Can God create a rock that is too heavy for Him to lift? A silly question, isn’t it? I’ve been asked this question by scoffers who do not want to know the truth but instead they want to argue. It’s the same with the various versions of the Bible. People cannot understand that God is in fact able to keep His Bible from being corrupted. To think otherwise is to limit God – not wise at all!
So with that in mind, where in the Bible does it state that it is O.K. for religious traditions to supersede God’s Word? There is absolutely nothing wrong with traditions if they are in agreement with God’s Word. For example, in this verse Paul encourages his readers to hold fast to the traditions they have taught. (2 Th 2:15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. What traditions was Paul referring to? Verse 14 points this out: (2 Th 2:14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and all that was taught and was preached is what Paul was encouraging the readers to follow. Those are the right traditions. They do not contradict the Word of God. However, anything that is taught to man that is contrary to God’s Word is wrong. (Mar 7:9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. These are the traditions that are wrong and they lead many astray. (Rom 16:17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
We are to avoid teachings that are contrary to the doctrine which is taught in the Word, my friend! Plain and simple. We have a guide – a compass – a ruler in the Bible. The Word of God lays out all that we need to find our way to salvation. It is not complicated – there are no heavy burdens or laws as there were in the Old Testament. All these laws were fulfilled through Christ Jesus and we must come with a sincere and repenting heart and accept His finished work on the cross for payment for our sins. Since the Word says that God is a jealous God, then we can know for certain that He will not have anything or anyone stand in His place. Ironically, this is what Lucifer desired. (Isa 14:12-15) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (12) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (13) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (14) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (15)
Why would God allow someone to be likened to Him when He states in His Word that He is a jealous God? It does not make any sense, does it? Worship the Lord God only! (Mat 4:10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
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