FAQs Mondays: What Are the Attributes of God? Part 3

We have been looking at the attributes of God for a couple of weeks now. Last week, we looked at the omnipotence and independence of God. You can read it here.

This week we look at the justice, truth, and holiness of God. The questions come from Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism, Lesson 3, Part 5.

What is meant by the word justice?

Giving to one his due; practical conformity to the laws of rectitude.

Is God perfectly just in all that He does?

"It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice" (Job. 34:12, NIV). See also Deut. 32:4; Neh. 9:33; Ps. 89:14; Rev. 15:3.

Does He demand anything of His creatures which it is not perfectly right that he should demand?

He does not. 'He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Mic. 6:8, NIV). See also Deut. 10:12.

Is God perfectly just in the distribution of His rewards and punishments?

He is: for "He will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matt. 16:27, NIV). Every one shall "receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). See also Ps. 62:12; 2 Thess. 1:6.

Do the dealings of God with His creatures, in this world, always appear to be just?

They do not. The wicked sometimes "are free from burdens common to man," (Ps. 73:5) and have more than a heart could wish; while some good men are "plagued . . .punished every morning" (Ps. 73:14). See Psalm 73:3-14.

How did Asaph solve this apparent difficulty?

"When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny" (Ps. 73:16-17, NIV).

Do the Scriptures represent God as a God of truth as well as justice?

They do. He is called a "A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he" (Deut. 32:4, NIV). See also Rom. 3:4.

May we be confident that He will fulfill all His predictions and promises, and execute all His threatenings?

We may. "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and then not fulfill?" (Num. 23:19, NIV). See also Ps. 89:34. Prov. 11:21; 19:5; Matt. 5:18; and Luke 16:17.

Do the Scriptures also represent God as perfectly Holy?

They do. "'For the Lord our God is holy" (Ps. 99:9, NIV). "Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Ex. 15:11, NIV). See also  Lev. 9:2; Joshua 24:19; Isa. 6:3; Rom. 9:14; and Heb. 12:29.

Can He take any pleasure in impurity or unholiness?

He cannot. "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell" (Ps. 5:4, NIV).

What should be the practical effect of the doctrine of God's justice, truth, and holiness, upon the minds of Christians? Of the wicked?

If you are unreconciled to God, may you not well be alarmed in view of these truths?

It is easy to memorize questions and their answers. It might be better to say, it is easier to memorize these questions and answers, than to really think through these truths. However, the last two questions force us to wrestle with the implications of God's justice, truth, and holiness. How will a holy God respond to our rebellion?

Sometimes, we allow ourselves to be lulled asleep in our thinking. We might think, "What does it matter if God is holy?". It means we cannot stand in his presence. It's good to think through these truths. Next week, we will continue to look at the attributes of God. Feel free to leave a comment.