INTERNATIONAL

CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
LAGOS NIGERIA AND OVERSEAS

(I.C.U.)

SUBJECT :

THEOLOGY PROPER

DISCIPLINE: DEGREE

LECTURER:
REV. DR. JONATHAN KUMAH

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 INTRODUCTION
We live in a universe whose imrnensity presupposed a mighty maker and whose
beauty; design and order point to a wise lawgiver. But who made the Maker ?
We can keep going back from cause to effect, but we cannot keep going back
forever without admitting a "FOREVER" being. That Forever being is God, the
eternal one, the cause and source of every good thing, which exists. This term
"Theology Proper" designates that area of Systematic Theology, which deals
with the nature, existence, attributes, name and unity of God.
WHAT IS THEOLOGY PROPER ?
Theos means God
Logy means study of.
Proper means exact
Theology proper is the subject in which we study in detail about God's
existence, nature, attributes, name and unity. Theology proper can be define as
the exact study of God in relation with His Existence, Nature, Attributes, Name
and Unity
DECLARATION OF GOD'S EXISTENCE IN THE BIBLE
There are no formal proofs in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible about the
existence of God. When we say no formal proofs about the existence of God we
simply rnean that, there is no record to show whether he (God) was born or
created. Rather the Existence of God was declared in the Holy Scriptures for
example.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and earth" Gen. 1:1 (K.J.V)
"In the beginning was the word and the world was with God, and the
word was God" John 1:1 (K.J.V)
God is not whom you see face to face physically, so as to have faith in Him, but
He is Whom you make venture of faith to; knowing that faith is a belief, which
is not based on reason or proof.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him. For he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him" Heb. 11:16 (K.J.V)
This is why the fool, seeing not God face to face believes He (God) does not
exist Psalm 14:1.

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The existence of God as made know in the holy scriptures of the Bible is not
what you read the biography or see face to face but you feel his existence for
example, when you say "l know God" it does not mean that you have seen him
(God), that it seeing a tall, handsome, huge, white or black man but it simply
mean that you know him through the feeling of his presence
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD:
No where had attempt to prove the existence of God made in the scriptures
because every where in the Bible God is set forth as known — consideration is
given to the existence of God before creation when the three persons of the God
Head existed from eternity past - but in attempting to prove and understand
divine revelation, man has used three sources.
NAMELY : Intuition, Tradition and Reason.
INTUITION: Intuition is the ability of direct apprehension of a truth without
reasoning inbuilt in man called conscience — it regulates the moral life
"nature" by the conceptions of right and wrong, time and eternity, space, cause
and effect, mathematical demonstration, self — existence, the existence of
matter and the existence of God. Though intuition is necessarily and unreliable
source of information because the human mind has been corrupted by sin, the
fact is that men universally believe in God. Departure from this as illustrated in
agnosticism and atheism, is actually contrary to human reason and intuition.
Man is under condemnation for his refusal to frecognize what is obvious — the
proves of the existence of God — In his world as indicated by intuition (Rom.
1:18-20) only a "fool says in his heart there is no God" (Ps.14:1, 53:1).
An observation of nature would indicate that God is a person of infinite
intelligence and power, but nature does not reveal the love of God, the
righteousness of God, or divine Grace, intuition whether hearken to or not
speaks with authority. "Two things fill my Soul with awe", declared Kant
the great German Philosopher. "The starry heavens above me, and the
moral law within me". Intuition is necessary in that it is normal in the
constitution of every person.

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TRADITION: Is truth that is passed down from earlier generation to later
generations and is often considered as either "Remote" or as "Present"
teaching given to children. The march of events in the world's history gives clear
evidence of an overruling power and providence. All the history of the Bible
was written to illustrate God's working in human affairs.
1. REMOTE TRADITION: Man passed on knowledge of God from one
generation to the other, prior to the written scripture. (Deut. 6:1-9).
Adam, before his fall, undoubtedly had a high and intimate knowledge of
God such as one must possess who walk and talks with God (Gen. 3:8).
When sin entered the human race, he did not lose his memory. The book
of Job written before the Pentateuch illustrates the extensive knowledge
of God that was given to earlier generations and then passed on orally by
later generations. In spile of this extensive source of knowledge, however,
man manifested his depravity by failing in to sin (Rom. 1:19-32.).
2. PRESENT TRADITION: Tradition as seen in the present tense
represents all the instruction God has given both orally and in the written
scriptures. Student of theology are indebted to previous generations both
for their knowledge of tradition as it existed before the Bible was written
and the doctrines of scripture as they have been presented in human
works. "English Protestantism looks upon the defeat of the
Spanish Armada as a divine intervention". The settlement of
America by protestant immigrants saved it from the fate of South
America and thereby saved the world for democracy. Who will
deny that God's hand is in all this ?
3. REASON: By the term "reason" reference is made to the highest
capacity in man apart from revelation in his attainment to the knowledge
of God. Even though in a fallen situation morally, man has reason, which
manifests itself in Sanity. Design and beauty are evident in the universe;
but design and beauty imply a designer : Therefore the universe is the
work of a designer of sufficient intelligence and wisdom to accounts for
them (Job 37:5).

Geography told of the planets — Earth as beautifully designed, great

and heaviest hanged in the air without a pillar — supporting — yet has
never fallen to crash, but revolves in its axis and maintain its exbit (Job
26:7; Ps: 4-5; 104:5-35; Eccl. 1:7).
Is it not the hand of the most powerful intelligent Designer "God"
upholding it ?

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NATURALISTIC THEISTIC ARGUMENTS
Theism is a term applied to any belief in deity in contrast to atheism, which
denies the existence of a god. Through out the history, man has usually believed
is some kind of deity. Contemporary atheisrm is a strange departure from this
common experience of man. Once belief in god is granted, it provides an
intelligent basis for the existence of the world, natural law and moral law in this
vein we are going to consider few Naturalistic Theistic arguments.
Namely: The Cosmological Argumentl, the Teleological Argument,
Anthropological Argument and Ontological Argument.
I. THE COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT:
In the cosmological Arguments, the universe is conceived as
phenomenon or an effect which requires an adequate cause — if an
organized world is seen, there must be a God who created it. However,
some forms of Cosmological Argument attempt to explain away its
forces, there are four theories namely:

1) Nature is eternal and its forms have existed forever.

2) Matter has existed forever, though subject to self-development, a
view often held by modem atheists.
3) Matter is eternal, but its present arrangement and order is the
handwork of God, a view taught by Plato, Aristotle, and others.
4) Matter is created, being caused to exist from nothing but the
power of God, which is the Biblical teaching of divine revelation.

II. THE TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT:

The teleological argument reaches the conclusion that God exists from
the presence of order and design in the universe. The teleological
argument is based on two Greek words "Telos" and "logos"; which
refer to rational purpose or the doctrine of intelligent ends. The fact
that design is exhibited in every thing reveals the rational purpose of
God as creator. The Teleological Argument is subjects to almost
endless illustration. William Paley, (1943 — 1805) established a path
for others to follow. He pointed out the impossibility of any force other
than God to make a seed and give it seminal form, as illustrated in the
creation of a rose with all its beauty. Ancient philosophers as well as
modern theologian turn to the teleological argument as a proof that
there is a rational mind behind the universe, which Christians identify
as God.

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III. THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL ARGUMENT:
The anthropological argument draws its facts from the constitution of
man. In as much as God has created man with unusual qualifies not
found in any other creature, it is possible for man, on the basis of what
he is to have some concept of what God is. Man is composed of both
material and immaterial substance (elements). The human body with
its complicated structure given much evidence of a creator who made
it. The immaterial part or man, including the eletnenls of Life,
Sensibility Intellect, Will, Conscience, and an inherent belief in God
points even more emphatically to God as the only adequate cause. Life
could not create itself. It requires one with life to create life.

IV. THE ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT:

The ontological argument in theism consists in a course of reasoning
from God as the absolute first cause of all things to the things He has
caused — Specifically, the inherent idea that God exists. The argument
is that man could not have this idea unless some thing exists that
correspond it.

V. ERRONEOUS VIEW OF GOD'S EXISTENCE (ATHEISTIC

THEORIES):
Throughout history unregenerate people have attempted to explain
away the thought of God by mere assuming certain positions, which
utterly tried to deny his existence. Few of such positions are namely.
ATHEISM, AGNOSTICISM, EVOLUTION, MATERIALISM.
POLYTHEISM, IDEALISM, PANTHEISM, AND DEISM.

1. ATHEISM: Atheism is an open and positive denial that God exists. It

is more than mere ignorance of God as it dogmatically assumes that
Atheistic claims are not properly supported. Since atheists are opposed
to the deepest and most fundamental convictions of the race, the burden
of proof rests upon them. One who is a consistent atheist must deny the
fact of Human intelligence, Conscience, Morality, Sensibility and
Will. By its nature atheism is essentially dogmatic; it reste no ton proof
but on the dogmatic statement that God does not exist. Now it is
undeniable thal the evidence for the existence of God far outweighs the
argument of his denial.

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2. AGNOSTICISM: From two Greek words meaning "Not knowing"
Agnosticism denies the human ability to know God. The finite mind
cannot grasp the infinite declares the agnostic. But he fails to see that
there is a difference between knowing God absolutely and knowing
some things about God. We cannot comprehend God, i.e. Know Him
perfectly; but we can apprehend His i.e. Know Him. We can know that
God is, without knowing "all" that He is ([Link]) we can touch the
earth while not able to embrace it in our arms. The child can know God
while the philosopher cannot find out all almighty unto perfection.

3. EVOLUTION: Without doubt evolution has risen from desire of

unregenerated people to explain the universe without God or with a
minimum of divine intervention. Evolution is the theory that the world
has developed from a crude, homogeneous material from it its present
heterogeneous and advanced status by means of residence force. Though
evolution is widely held it should be emphasized that it is an unproved
theory. Evolution requires more faith than creation, in that creation is
related to a God who is infinite in His power and wisdom whereas
evolution has to propose that all this proceeds from natural progression.

Evolution leaves so many unanswered questions unresolved. The

evolutions explanation of the origin of life is that it arose from non-
living matter. However, this is a completely dogmatic assertion as
nothing like this has ever occurred.

4. MATERIALISM: Materialism is the theory that denies any distinction

between mind and matters, and affirms that all manifestations of life and
mind and all forces are simplv properties of matter. "The brain secrets
thought as the liver secrets bile"; "man is machine" man is simply
an animal are some of the favourites sayings of materialistics, in order
to sweep aside the thought of man's higher nature and divine destiny.

5. POLYTHEISM: As an aspect of theism, Polytheism is the concept

that there is more than one god or many deities that govern the universe
so that there is a God of Water, a god of fire, a god of the
mountains, a god of war and so on. This was the natural
consequence of paganism, which made gods of finite objects and natural
forces; worship and server them more than the Creator (Rom. 1:25)

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 6. IDEALISM: Idealism traces ultimate reality, to the concept of
perfection or and ideal as existing mind the human mind. Plato in his
findings held that idealism have ultimate reality where as the
embodiment of that ideal in a material object was only an imperfect
representation of the ideal.

7. DEISM: The terms "Deism" is from the Latin word "DEUS" meaning
God, and is closely related to the Greek word "THEOS". Deism history
held that God is personal, infinite holy Creator of all things, but that he
purposely abandoned his completed creation with the concept that is
should be self-sustaining and self promoting by forces resident within it
"Deism rejects anything that is supernatural including scriptural
revelation, and the concept that god is providentially working in the
world since creation. Deism denies the reality of prayer. communion or
fellowship with God. It leaves man in a mechanical world controlled
entirety by natural forces and laws.

8. PANTHEISM: From two Creek words meaning, "All is God". As the

term implies, is the conception that God is everything and everything is
God, confounding God with nature, matter and spirit.

The creator is confounded with the things He has created. But the poem
is not poet; the art is not the artist, neither the music the musician.

9. UNITARIANISM: They believe that God is only one but appears in

different shapes to different people, so you have your own freedom of
belief on anything with any shape. Christians should be careful (I Pet.
3:15 ; Eph, 4:4 KJV)
THE NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD : The Westminster
catechism defines who and what is God ? As: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal,
and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and
truth. God reveals Himself by making known or proclaming His name, which
sometime gives insight to His nature and sometimes to His attributes.
As was previously stated in Agnosticism that the indebt knowledge ability of the
essence of God cannot be fully comprehended; but man apprehend Him some
how by puttinq together the Biblical revelation given of Him especially His
names to get at least imaginatory glimpse of His nature how is He and who is
He ? We will consider few common namet of God.

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 THE NAME OF GOD
1. THE PRIMARY NAMES OF GOD
i. El is translated God. The term means the singular form addressing
a council membér of God.
ii. Elohim is translated God. The term means, "The power that
Creates and Rules" Gen. 1:1. This is the term denoting the
council of God.
iii. YHWH (Jehovah) is translated LORD. Note the capital letters.
The term means "The One Who Always Has Been. Is now,
and Always Will Be", "The Eternal One", or "Self-Existent
One" Gen. 2:4 ; Exod. 34:6 ; 3:14 "The Eternal I AM"
iv. Adonai is transated Lord, this name shows that God is the Ruler
over man and that man should put himself under the ruler ship of
God. Gen. 15:2 ; Exod. 23:17 ; Isa. 10:16, 33.
The term also means Master. John 13:13. The difference between
Lord and LORD can be seen when Moses wanted to use his
weakness and incompetence as excuses for exempting himself from
God's mission. Exod. 4:10-12. "Moses said unto the LORD
(Jehovah), O my Lord (Adonai), I am not eloquent... and the
LORD said unto him, who hath made man's mouth ? Now
therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth." John 21:15-17.

2. THE COMPOUND NAMES OF GOD

We shall examine them in the Hebrew forms and their English
equivalents.
i. El Elyon. "Most High God" or "God the Highest" means the
'One who owns Heaven and Earth'. Gen. 14:18,19. God
revealed Himself to Abraham as El Elyon, "the possessor of
heaven and earth". This is why God takes active roles in the
affairs of the nations Dan. 4:35,37; Deut. 32:8. Jesus reveals the
same power. "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in
Earth." Matt.28:18.
ii. El Olam. "The Everlasting God" means the One who can never
die. Gen. 21:33. El Olam expresses the eternal duration of the
Being of God. "From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.
Ps. 90:2."
iii. El Shaddai, "The Almighty God", portrays God as the Strength
Giver, the Satisfier, and the All-Sufficient One, who enriches and

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 makes fruitful. Gen. 17:1-8; 28:3,4. He made Abraham fruitful in
his old age. He enriches the believer fruitful. "From me is thy
fruit found" Hosea 14:8. Our fruit is found in Christ. John 15:1-8.
This fruit could be converts, Rom. 1:13; or Christian character. Gal.
5:22,23.
iv. Jehovah Elohim is translated LORD God. Gen. 2:4; Exod. 34:6
this is the compound name of god that denotes both His creative
and redemptive powers over man. The name also demonstrates
God's moral authority over man Gen. 3:8-21
v. Adonai Jehovah is translated Lord GOD. Gen. 15:2
vi. Jehovah Sabaoth is translated LORD of hosts. 1 Sam. 1:3; 17:
45. The term is used to exhibit Jehovah as it all times the Saviour
and Protector of his people Psalms 46:7, 11. The "host" is all the
heavenly powers, ready to the LORD'S command. Psalm 24:10;
Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world." Amen. Matt. 28:20.

3. REDEMPTIVE NAMES OF GOD.

In His redemptive relation to man, God reveals Himself in the following
specific manners:
i. Jehovah Jireh, "the Lord will Provide" He provided a ram as
substitute for Isaac. Gen. 8.

ii. Jehovah Nissi, "the Lord our Banner". Exod. 17:8-15. He is

the mighty Destroyer of the Amalekites of the flesh. Through Him
we are more then conquerors. Gal 5:17.

iii. Jehovah-Shalom, "The Lord our Peace" Judges 6:24. The

Lord who became our peace provides peace for the repentant sinner
at the foot of the cross. Eph. 2:4; Col. 1:20

iv. Jehovah Tsidkenu "The Lord our Righteousness". Jer. 23:5.

The Lord Jesus Christ is made unto us righteousness. 1 Cor. 1:30.
He is the very life of the saints.

v. Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is Present", Ezek. 48:35.

God's abiding presence is with His people any time, anywhere and
any place. The Lord of Hosts is ever with His own. Psalm 16:11;
Matt 28: 20; Heb. 13:5.

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 vi. Jehovah Raah. "The Lord is my Shepherd", Psalms 23:1.
God is the One Who leads His saints in their daily with lives. When
we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He sees us
through. He comforts us.

vii. Jehovah Rapha. "The Lord that healeth thee". Exod. 15:26.
Our Lord is the One that heals from all sickness and diseases. Ill
John 2. He heals from poverty.
The names that brings all other names together and make them complete are
"Alpha and Omega" Rev. 1:11; 21:6; 22:13. They mean the "FIRST AND
LAST", the BEGINNING AND END of all things.

GOD'S ATTRIBUTES
The names of God express His whole being, while His attibutes indicate various
sides of His character. As God is infinite in His being, it is impossible for any
creature to know Him exactly as He is. In speaking of man's understanding of
God "David wrote", such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me
to attain (Ps: 139:6) it is dificult to really cÅassify the attributes of GOD which
are so vast and complex, so interrelated and interdependent.
A comprehensive statement of God as found in the westerminister catechism
states that "there is but only one living and true God, who is infinite in being and
perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, part, or passions,
immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, Almighty, most wise, most
holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of
His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory, most loving,
Gracious, merciful, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving
iniquity, transgressions and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him;
and with all most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and will by
no means clear the guilty.
These attributes have been classified under two fold divisions namely: Natural
(Incommunicable) and Moral (Communicable) attributes. The one group
(Incommunicable) represents that characteristics that are said to be within God
and not found else where in creation: While the (Communicable) those
characteristics in God that to a limited degree are found in human spirits.

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NATURAL (INCOMMUNICABLE) ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
1. SPIRIT: God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit in truth. John 4:24. God has no physical form. When we talk of the
'hand of God' or the 'eyes of God' we are only using human expressions
to describe God to our own understanding.

2. ETERNAL: This means that God is unlimited by time and space. His
existence had no beginning and will have no ending. He is "from
everlasting to everlasting" Psalms 90:2. Eternity is His title. He is "the
King Eternal" 1 Tim. 1:17; God is self-existent. "For as the Father
hath life in Himself" John 5:26; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Pt. 3:8.

3. OMNISCIENCE: This English word is derived from the Latin word

"Omnis-all" and "Science-knowing"-all knowing God knows all thing;
He is all knowledge (1 Sam. 2:3, Acts 15:18). God's knowledge is not
related to or limited to time. We continue to learn as long as we live. God
has never had to learn anything. He always knows everything- every
thought, every motive, every event and every action for every person in
the world billion of years before they ever came on the scene. He knows
the end from the beginning (Psa. 139:12; Isa. 46: 10).

4. OMNIPRESENT: God is ever present. "Do I not fill the heavens end
the earth declares the Lord" (Jer. 23:24). God is not limited by time of
space. God is everyhere (Ps. 139:7-10). If your God is everywhere, then
HE MUST be in hell, said a Chinese to a native Christian. "His wrath is
in hell", was the quick reply.

5. OMNIPOTENT: God is all-powerful: limitless in ability God is also

limitless in his authority (1 Chron. 29:11-12). (Ps. 147:5, Klatt. 19:26).
God has a power, which like His love, is totally devoid of human props.
The creation of the universe and the restoration of the earth are too litlie to
the exploitation of His Omnipotence.

6. IMMUTABLE: God does not change. There is no variableness or

shadow of turning in the living God. Ps. 102:26 ; 1 Sam. 15:29. His
purpose and promise do not change. Num. 23:19; Ps. 33:11. His actions
necessarily vary according to our conduct. Exod. 32:14; Jonah 3:10.

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7. IMMANENT: By this we mean thet God's presence and power pervade
His entire creation. He does not stand apart from the world He has
created. He is not a mere spectator of the works of His hands. He pervades
every living and non-living thing. God is actively engaged in the
preservation of His Creation, until the Day of Judgment. 2 Pet. 3:10.
Hence, no nation can claim to have the key to the destruction of the world.
God is in control despite wars here and there. He is "upholding all
things by the word of his power". Heb. [Link].

8. WISDOM: Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge; God can

never make mistakes since his perfect wisdom implies omniscience. He is
"the holy wise God." 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 4:13; Acts 15:18; Psalms
139:6,7. Divine wisdom of God is revealed in creation end its control.

9. SELF-SUFFICIENCY: God is self-sufficient. Hence He does not need

aids from His creatures to survive. "If I were hungry, I would not tell
thee. For the world is mine and the fullness thereof." Psalms. 50:12

10. INFINITE: That God is not subject to natural and human

limitations. This quality relates to all attributes in that they are all infinite
in degree and without termination. God transcends all limitations in time
or space.

11. IMMENSE: This quality depicts God as enormous, immeasurable

and infinite. This attribute explains the ever present of God both in time,
space made eternity but disprove the doctrine of Pantheism, Immensity is
Gods presence in relation to space (1 Kings 8:27).

12. SELF-EXISTING: The scripture declares in many passages that

God had been personally existing before the creation "heaven and
earth". God who is self-sustainance needs no props.

13. SOVEREIGNTY: That is God has supreme volition. His volition

has always existed and there is no higher volition in the universe.
Sovereign God is the supreme Being of the universe (Deut. 4:39). The
Sovereignty of God is absolute in that He has assigned to all things their
respective place in creation and has ordered the details and structure of
creation in harmony with His Sovereign decree that man be allowed

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 freedom of choice, God will not use His absolute will to coerce the
volition which He gave man (John 7:17).

14. JUSTICE: Is a legal term, which refers to the essential character

of God's government, which is maintained at the point of highest
excellence. God is absolutely right in His authority over His creatures. If
any man rebels against God, he is questioning the creator's right and
authority. God has the right to dispose of all His works as it may please
Him (Ps. 105:3). But His actions are always in keeping with His infinite
wisdom and holiness. It is impossible for God to be unfair (2 Chron. 19:7)
Justice and ministers what righteousness demands, therefore He is no
respecter of persons.
MORAL (COMMUNICABLE) ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
These are the characteristics that God wants us to share with him. Man by nature
does not have those things himself. After he becomes a Christian, he has desires
to live for God, and He shares these moral attributes with the Christian.
1. Holiness of God. God is holy. He is absolutely holy. "Thou art of
purer eyes than to behold evil". Hab.1:13. Holiness is the sum total
perfection of God. The four living beings cry day and night saying,
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty which was, and is, and is to
come". Rev. 4:8; 6:10; 15:4; Lev.19:2; Isa.1:4 ; 6:1-13;. God is the
standard of ethical purity by which the Christian should worship Him;
otherwise their worship will degenerate into idol worship of uncleanness.
Psalm 99:5,9; John 17:11; Psalm 110:3; 96:9.

2. The Righteousness of God. Righteousness means 'to do justly'. "O

Lord God of Israel, Thou art righteous". Ezra 9:15; Psalm 116:5; John
17:25.

Firstly, the righteousness of God is revealed in His hatred for iniquity.

Exod 9:23-27; II Chor. 12:5,6; He loves righteousness.

Secondly, the righteousness of God is revealed in punishing the wicked

for their evil deeds. 1 kg. 8:32; Psalm 37:38; 73:18; 11:6; Pro. 14:12;
Matt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46.

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 Thirdly, the righteousness of God is revealed in His protecting and
delivering His saints from their enemies. Rev. 16:4-6; Neh 9:7,8; Psalm
96:11-13.

3. The Goodness of God: The fact of God's goodness is not only proved
in Holy Scriptures, but our daily experiences also testify to His goodness.
"Good and upright is the Lord". Psalm 25:8; "O taste and see that
the Lord is good". Psalm 34:8; "The Lord is good, a strong hold in
the day of trouble". Nah. 1:7; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 2:4; Psalm 103:8;
Deut. 4.31; Psalm 62:12; 145:8 ; 86:15 ; 107:1,8,15.

4. The Love of God. God's love is demonstrated in His goodness to His

saints and even unbelievers John 3:16. Love is the very nature of His
moral character. (Eph. 2:4,5; I John 4:7,8.

5. The faithfulness of God: The faithfulness of God means that He is a

reliable Being upon whom we can absolutely rely. His faithfulness
reaches unto the skies, and even beyond the skies. Psalm 36:5. The extent
of bod's faithfulness is great and new every morning. Lam3:23.

GLORY BE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

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