Day 1- KNOW GOD’S ATTRIBUTES
The problem that exists among non-believers, but also believers in Jesus, is that people pigeon-hole God to be defined by only a few attributes. Usually the attribute in which you define God is the one you have experienced. People also define God using words never attributed to him because they don’t understand something He claims to be. For example, Charles Darwin had a problem with God’s wrath so in his biography, he calls God a tyrant*. The Bible never attributes this character to God. Darwin didn’t understand the wrath of God and chose to not pursue God’s explanation, defining God as something He is not. God deserves and wants to be known for ALL of who He is. If you are going to defend your faith, you must know that someone who opposes the gospel does not know all of who God says He is. For example, your opponent might say “I don’t believe in God because I don’t see how a loving God could allow evil.” This person hasn’t allowed himself to see the fullness of God. They have pigeonholed God into only being a God of Love. God in His infinite being is so much more! If you don’t know the attributes of God, you will never be able to give a good answer for who He is. This month you will start to learn about them. You will spend the rest of your life experiencing and seeing the fullness of God personally.
Read Romans 11:33-36
Write down all you learn about God and His greatness. What does the Bible say about His ways? Will you always be able to understand them? Does God go to anyone for counsel?
Does God owe anyone a debt?
DID YOU KNOW
God is so holy that when He dwelled in the ark of the covenant, He commanded no one to touch the ark. If they did, they would die. You can read about a story of this happening in 2 Samuel 6:5-6. The sins of man can never mix with the holiness of God. This is why Jesus is so important to mankind!
Day 2- GOD IS HOLY
Read Exodus 3:5-6 and 1 Samuel 2:2. What do you learn about God?
God is holy. This means He is set apart, pure and worthy of all worship. There is no flaw in Him and is therefore worthy to be praised.
Read Matthew 4 and see how Jesus showed Himself to be holy.
Day 3- GOD IS GRACE
Read Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 4:16
What does God give you?
Grace is simply getting what you do not deserve. Because of Jesus, what do you get?
Because of sin, what do you not deserve?
How can you show grace to others? (Giving others what they do not deserve.) For example, giving another a second chance would be gracious.
Day 4- GOD IS MERCIFUL
Read Ephesians 2:4-6. How did God show us mercy?
GIVE IT A TRY!
You will at some point have someone challenge you or ask you about the wrath of God. Spend some time looking at Scripture and forming your answer, with gentleness and respect of course.
Day 5- GOD IS WRATHFUL
Read Romans 1:18; Ezekiel 22:31
What does God tell you about Himself here?
You will find that God isn’t the wrathful God the world defines Him as. The people who have a wrong view of God’s wrath think He “smites people” just because. You will find in Scripture that God always has a valid reason for His wrath.
Read Ezekiel 20:1-8
Did Israel deserve punishment and wrath?
Does the evil world deserve punishment and wrath?
Many people have a problem with a wrathful God. The thing is, you SHOULD have a problem with a god who is wrathful without mercy. Our God is wrathful because He is holy, but our God is also merciful. He is quick to forgive and slow to anger. He knows His wrath must be satisfied so He had a plan of mercy from the very beginning. Instead of taking His wrath out on you, He took it out on His own Son. Anyone who believes in Him can and will avoid His wrath. He wants all men to come to salvation and avoid it (2 Peter 3:9).
