STUDIES//THE MORAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD


The Moral Attributes Of God
God’s moral attributes are those qualities or characteristics of God manifest as they relate to His creatures, those who toward God and His requirements are capable of right or wrong action. These attributes are also those which God intends man to possess and thus are also called communicable attributes. 1. Perfect Holiness a. The perfect holiness of God speaks of absolute purity. He cannot sin nor tolerate sin. He is sinless perfection. In Scripture, He is frequently called “the Holy One.” (53 times) b. The dictionary defines holy as spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless c. Holiness in God is separation from moral evil or sin. God’s holiness is His absolute moral purity. God is morally perfect. d. Is 6:3 Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts i. This speaks of the triune God ii. Also found in Rev 4:8 e. Ps 96:9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. i. Holiness is the beauty of God’s nature ii. All the rest of God’s attributes manifest themselves in relationship to holiness, including both the love and wrath of God f. Ex 15:11 "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, g. Isa 57:15 the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: i. His name is HOLY – His name is JESUS! h. Hab 1:13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. i. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. i. God literally cannot tolerate, cannot be in the presence or even look upon evil and sin. j. Rev 15:4 For You alone are holy. i. Only He is holy, and to whom He imparts His holiness. ii. Lev 11:44 For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. iii. Matt 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. k. Holiness was God’s first revelation to Moses (Ex 3:15), then God used him to deliver Israel out of the bondage of Egypt l. Holiness was the first thing mentioned to Joshua (Josh 5:13-15) then God gave him the victory over Jericho. m. Holiness was the first revealed to Isaiah (Is 6:1-6), then he received his commission to prophesy. n. God first revealed holiness to Moses and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex 19:12-25), then God revealed His plan for the Tabernacle, which was His habitation among them. o. Holiness was revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon, as the prerequisiste for those who wanted to come closer to God (Holy Place, Holy of Holies – Ex 26:33; 1 Kings 6:16) p. Ps 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. i. God’s throne is established on holiness. q. Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested." i. Holiness is the fundamental characteristic of God, even before the revelation of His grace and love ii. See also Ps 89:14; 92:2; 99:9 2. Perfect Righteousness a. Holiness is what God is, the essence of His nature. Righteousness is that nature in action. God is righteous when He punishes evil. He is equally righteous when He clears the innocent. b. The holiness of God demands that sin be judged and the sinner punished. Such punishment is the righteousness of God in action. c. The righteousness of God is His holiness dealing justly with His creatures. This is seen in both punishment (Gen 2:17; Rom 1:32; 2:8-9) and reward (Rom 2:7; Heb 11:26; Deut 7:9-13; Psalm 58:11; Matt 25:21) d. Gen 18:23-25 "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? . . . Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked . . .Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" i. Abraham appealed to God’s righteousness e. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. i. God is righteous in forgiving the repentant f. Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. i. It is impossible for God to deviate from His righteous ways. g. Ps 9:8 He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. h. Dan 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You i. Ps 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; j. Rom 11:22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. i. God’s righteous is a perfect balance between judgment and reward k. See also Num 14:18-22; Deut 32:39-43; Rom 2:4-11; 9:22-23) 3. Perfect Love a. Remember, love is the very nature of God. (1 John 4:8) It is not simply that God “loves,” but that He IS love itself. b. He is the “God of love” (2 Cor 13:11) c. 1 John 4:16 God is love, and He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him d. God loves His people – Deut 7:8, 13 e. 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. f. Eph 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ g. Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing i. This is an expression of God’s intense emotions ii. We are created in His image. The very fact that we have emotions indicates that HE has them. h. Jer 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. i. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. i. Jesus coming to earth, and His death on the cross was the ultimate expression of God’s love. j. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." i. God expects the same kind of love that He has to be nurtured in His people k. Included in the love of God are also the following attributes: i. The Goodness of God – God’s care for His creatures 1. The glory of God is related to His goodness a. Ex 33:18-19 "Please, show me Your glory." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, b. Ps 145:9 The LORD is good to all, c. Rom 2:4 the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ii. The Grace of God – the undeserved and unearned favor of God bestowed upon sinful man. Grace also includes the longsuffering of God 1. Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 2. Eph 2:5-9 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 3. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. iii. The Mercy of God – the pity of God upon the miserable condition of the sinner because of sin 1. Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 2. James 5:11 the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 3. Ps 118:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! 4. For His mercy endures forever. iv. The Compassion of God – sorrow for the sufferings of another with the urge to help 1. Matt 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion 2. Ps 78:38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. v. The Kindness of God – the gentle benevolence of God 1. Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus 2. Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared . . . He saved us 4. Perfect faithfulness a. The faithfulness of God means that God is absolutely trustworthy, loyal, reliable and true to His Word. His Word is truth and He is absolutely relievable. b. Faithfulness is applied in Scripture to both God and His Word. God’s Word is as sure as Himself. God cannot lie. c. Isa 25:1 Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. d. Ps 119:138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful. e. 1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. f. 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. g. 2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. h. 1 Thess 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. i. 2 Tim 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; j. Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. k. 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. l. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. m. Matt 25:21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. n. 1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful i. God expects faithfulness from His people as well o. Rev 17:14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. i. The highest level to attain is the Bride of Christ – she is faithful! ii. See also Matt 20:16

God’s moral attributes are those qualities or characteristics of God manifest as they relate to His creatures, those who toward God and His requirements are capable of right or wrong action. These attributes are also those which God intends man to possess and thus are also called communicable attributes.

1. Perfect Holiness
a. The perfect holiness of God speaks of absolute purity. He cannot sin nor tolerate sin. He is sinless perfection. In Scripture, He is frequently called “the Holy One.” (53 times)
b. The dictionary defines holy as spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless
c. Holiness in God is separation from moral evil or sin. God’s holiness is His absolute moral purity. God is morally perfect.
d. Is 6:3 Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts
i. This speaks of the triune God
ii. Also found in Rev 4:8
e. Ps 96:9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
i. Holiness is the beauty of God’s nature
ii. All the rest of God’s attributes manifest themselves in relationship to holiness, including both the love and wrath of God
f. Ex 15:11 "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
g. Isa 57:15 the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
i. His name is HOLY – His name is JESUS!
h. Hab 1:13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.
i. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
i. God literally cannot tolerate, cannot be in the presence or even look upon evil and sin.
j. Rev 15:4 For You alone are holy.
i. Only He is holy, and to whom He imparts His holiness.
ii. Lev 11:44 For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.
iii. Matt 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
k. Holiness was God’s first revelation to Moses (Ex 3:15), then God used him to deliver Israel out of the bondage of Egypt
l. Holiness was the first thing mentioned to Joshua (Josh 5:13-15) then God gave him the victory over Jericho.
m. Holiness was the first revealed to Isaiah (Is 6:1-6), then he received his commission to prophesy.
n. God first revealed holiness to Moses and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex 19:12-25), then God revealed His plan for the Tabernacle, which was His habitation among them.
o. Holiness was revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon, as the prerequisiste for those who wanted to come closer to God (Holy Place, Holy of Holies – Ex 26:33; 1 Kings 6:16)
p. Ps 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
i. God’s throne is established on holiness.
q. Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested."
i. Holiness is the fundamental characteristic of God, even before the revelation of His grace and love
ii. See also Ps 89:14; 92:2; 99:9

2. Perfect Righteousness
a. Holiness is what God is, the essence of His nature. Righteousness is that nature in action. God is righteous when He punishes evil. He is equally righteous when He clears the innocent.
b. The holiness of God demands that sin be judged and the sinner punished. Such punishment is the righteousness of God in action.
c. The righteousness of God is His holiness dealing justly with His creatures. This is seen in both punishment (Gen 2:17; Rom 1:32; 2:8-9) and reward (Rom 2:7; Heb 11:26; Deut 7:9-13; Psalm 58:11; Matt 25:21)
d. Gen 18:23-25 "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? . . . Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked . . .Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
i. Abraham appealed to God’s righteousness
e. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
i. God is righteous in forgiving the repentant
f. Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
i. It is impossible for God to deviate from His righteous ways.
g. Ps 9:8 He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
h. Dan 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You
i. Ps 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
j. Rom 11:22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness.
i. God’s righteous is a perfect balance between judgment and reward
k. See also Num 14:18-22; Deut 32:39-43; Rom 2:4-11; 9:22-23)

3. Perfect Love
a. Remember, love is the very nature of God. (1 John 4:8) It is not simply that God “loves,” but that He IS love itself.
b. He is the “God of love” (2 Cor 13:11)
c. 1 John 4:16 God is love, and He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him
d. God loves His people – Deut 7:8, 13
e. 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
f. Eph 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
g. Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing
i. This is an expression of God’s intense emotions
ii. We are created in His image. The very fact that we have emotions indicates that HE has them.
h. Jer 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
i. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
i. Jesus coming to earth, and His death on the cross was the ultimate expression of God’s love.
j. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
i. God expects the same kind of love that He has to be nurtured in His people
k. Included in the love of God are also the following attributes:
i. The Goodness of God – God’s care for His creatures
1. The glory of God is related to His goodness
a. Ex 33:18-19 "Please, show me Your glory." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you,
b. Ps 145:9 The LORD is good to all,
c. Rom 2:4 the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
ii. The Grace of God – the undeserved and unearned favor of God bestowed upon sinful man. Grace also includes the longsuffering of God
1. Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
2. Eph 2:5-9 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
3. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
iii. The Mercy of God – the pity of God upon the miserable condition of the sinner because of sin
1. Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
2. James 5:11 the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
3. Ps 118:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
4. For His mercy endures forever.
iv. The Compassion of God – sorrow for the sufferings of another with the urge to help
1. Matt 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion
2. Ps 78:38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them.
v. The Kindness of God – the gentle benevolence of God
1. Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus
2. Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared . . . He saved us

4. Perfect faithfulness
a. The faithfulness of God means that God is absolutely trustworthy, loyal, reliable and true to His Word. His Word is truth and He is absolutely relievable.
b. Faithfulness is applied in Scripture to both God and His Word. God’s Word is as sure as Himself. God cannot lie.
c. Isa 25:1 Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
d. Ps 119:138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful.
e. 1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
f. 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
g. 2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
h. 1 Thess 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
i. 2 Tim 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful;
j. Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
k. 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
l. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
m. Matt 25:21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
n. 1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful
i. God expects faithfulness from His people as well
o. Rev 17:14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.
i. The highest level to attain is the Bride of Christ – she is faithful!
ii. See also Matt 20:16