The All-Powerful Blood of Jesus

Dear friends, 

In the Old Testament, Moses was commanded to take the hyssop branch, dip it in the blood of the animal that was sacrificed to God, and use it to sprinkle the blood. 

For example at Passover, he was instructed by God to "Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe..." (Exodus 12:22)

Moses also commanded the the priests to sprinkle blood for the cleansing of lepers and houses, as part of cleansing rituals using the hyssop plant, as well as scarlet yarn and cedar wood (Leviticus 14:4-6, 49-51).

Likewise the apostle in Hebrews 9:19-21 references Moses using hyssop, water, and blood to sprinkle the book and the entire tabernacle, emphasizing its role in ritual purification. In every instance, it was a sprinkling of the blood that was used, which is a small thinly distributed amount.

I would like to ask you how much of Jesus blood do you think is necessary to wash a man's sins away and save his soul or to protect a believer from harm, such as when we plead the blood of Jesus. 

Just One Drop

I am certain that the blood of Jesus is so powerful -- infinitely powerful -- that just one little drop of His blood is all it takes. That's enough to wash away a person's sins and to apply to anyone when pleading the blood over them or oneself. 

This truth emphasizes the infinite, superabundant power of Christ's sacrifice to redeem all humanity from sin. Many theologians, notably St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), suggest a single drop was sufficient to save the entire world, making it a symbol of absolute, total salvation. 

Derek Prince taught this, too. He said, "There is more power in one drop of the blood of Jesus than in the whole kingdom of satan." He quoted Leviticus 17:11:"For the life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls." And he said, "It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. So the life of God is in the blood of Jesus. God’s own life, the life of the Creator. Our human minds have no way to calculate the potential of that statement."

Here is Derek Prince's sermon on this subject, called "There's Infinite Power in One Drop of The Blood of Jesus". The link here starts the message right at the part where he made certain key points, but the whole sermon is worth listening to. It's very instructional, including about the Lord's Supper (Communion).

Scriptures About the Blood

The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin, when we walk in the light as He is in the light. We have been justified by His blood, and our Lord Jesus has freed us from our sins by His blood. Here are some verses that say so.

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 Jn 1:7)

"Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!" (Rom 5:9)

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood..." (Rev 1:5b).

That word "freed" means "loosed"; it comes from the Greek word luo, meaning "break, destroy, dissolve, loose, melt, put off." 

"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Heb 9:22)

"They overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Rev 12:11).

Songs About One Drop of Blood

Many song lyrics have this theme like the following excerpts from some songs:

Excerpt #1

One drop of blood

Fell to the scales

It covered my transgressions

And all the times I failed

The enemy was mighty

He came in like a flood

He was defeated by one drop of blood 

Excerpt #2

One drop of blood, oh yes!

One drop of blood

He can save your soul

With one drop of blood

On the Cross He died

For our sins, He gave His Life

And with one red drop

You can be made pure white

One drop of blood will cover all your sins

Clean up your heart and give you peace within

Excerpt #3 - One Drop of the Blood (Hymn by William Augustine Ogden 1841-1897) Link to full lyrics.

One drop of the blood,

From Calvary's brow,

Will cleanse me within,

And free me from sin,

And make my soul e'en whiter than snow. 

Excerpt #4 - One Drop of Jesus' Blood by Kent Phalen, Sandy Bloemer, & Scott Nelson.

One drop of Jesus' blood

All my sins were gone

Though they were as scarlet

He cleansed me from them all.

The holy crimson flow

Covered me that day.

One drop of Jesus' blood

Washed all my sins away.

Excerpt #5 - There's Power in the Blood, by Lewis E Jones (1899), full lyrics here.

There is power, power, wonder-working power

in the blood of the Lamb;

there is power, power, wonder-working power

in the precious blood of the Lamb.

 

Closing Words

In closing, I hope that this message today has encouraged you, edified you, and helped you to really grasp the infinite power of Jesus' blood. I trust that now you will have a whole new perspective on this marvelous truth, which will impact your life, as well as the lives of countless others that you share this with or minister to.

Attribution notice: Scripture take from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image may be subject to copyright, used per the Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only.

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this post, you may also like The Blessings of Being in Christ. Does Being Saved Make All Your Problems Disappear?, The Love of Jesus, Having the Love of God in Your Heart, Compelled by Love, One Thing, Seven Things That Accumulate Building Materials in Heaven, and the other posts available through the links on the Home page. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

______________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Gospel Power vs Sin's Power

Dear God seekers,

Consider the power behind sin versus the power behind the gospel: 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law (1 Co 15:56). Sin has no power without the law. For apart from the law, sin was dead, as it is when one comes to Christ (Ro 7:8). Sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law (Ro 5:13). I would not have known what sin was except through the law (Ro 7:7). 

Imagine death as an entity or creature, as in the angel of death, and it has a stinger. The stinger that it uses to sting people is sin. Inside every deadly stinger is a poison, but the power of death’s stinger (sin) is the law. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death (Ro 7:11). For the wages of sin is death (Ro 6:23). Sin uses what is good (the law) to bring death, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, so that sin (through the commandment) might become utterly sinful (Ro 7:13). God designed it this way, so that we would recognize sin as something deadly to be avoided, just as He put the bad odor on excrement for the same reason. Likewise, many poisonous plant compounds are bitter, so that they may be recognized as poisonous. So once again, the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

However, in contrast to the power of sin, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Ro 1:16). Put differently, the power of God unto salvation for those who believe is the gospel. In the same way that we give an antidote to one who has been stung by a poisonous snake, scorpion, or spider, God’s antidote to sin’s sting of death is the gospel. That’s His power to save mankind from eternal death and separation from Him in hell, and it is far greater that the power of sin.

To those who believe the gospel, God gives the gracious gift of eternal life. All those who repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ are no longer under law and sin’s deadly power, but under grace and the power of God to save them (Ro 6:14). Therefore, sin is no longer their master, and it wields no power over them, because Christ is their master.

Conclusion

Let's put this in the simplest terms using the form of equations in order to emphasize my point.

Sin = the sting of death 

The law = the power of sin 

The gospel = the power of God unto salvation (to those who believe)

The choice is easy. Why choose to be under the law, thereby giving sin the power to sting you unto death, when you can believe the gospel and receive God's power unto salvation?

Attribution notice: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV1984), copyright Zondervan, used by permission, all rights reserved.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy The Flesh vs the Spirit, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Drifting Away, Is Obedience Optional?, The Apostasy Parables, Holy Living in a Perverted World, The Law of Christ, Aim for Perfection, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, The Straight and Narrow Path, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Ask for the Ancient Paths, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Separation from the World, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, Amazing Grace, and Doing What is Right. You can find more of my articles related to Seeking the Lord on the Home page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Our God is an Awesome God!

Dear God-seekers,

Let me encourage you today to seek the Lord with all your heart. He is awesome! Here are some Scriptures about the awesomeness of God:

"He was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.'” (Gen 28:17)

 "Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Ex 15:11)

"Then the Lord said: 'I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.'" (Ex 34:10)

"Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?" (Deut 4:34)

"Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God." (Deut 7:21)

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." (Deut 10:17)

"He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes." (Deut 10:21)

"If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God—  the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses." (Deut 28:58)

"And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?" (2 Sam 7:23)

"Then I said: 'Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments...'" (Neh 1:5)

"After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'" (Neh 4:14)

"'Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.'" (Neh 9:32)

"Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty." (Job 37:22)

"For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth." (Ps 47:2)

"You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,'" (Ps 65:5)

"Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.'" (Ps 66:3)

"'Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!'" (Ps 66:5)

"You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" (Ps 68:35)

"In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround him." (Ps 89:7)

"I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments," (Dan 9:4)

"The Lord will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the earth. Distant nations will bow down to him, all of them in their own lands." (Zeph 2:1)

Testimonies of Those Who Saw the Lord
Many people have given testimony to seeing the Lord, like the prophet Isaiah, who saw Him on His throne high and lifted up with the seraphim above Him crying, "Holy, holy, holy!" (Is 6:1-7). Or like the prophet Ezekiel who saw the Lord high above the expanse above the living creatures, and described his torso as "what looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire," and below His waist what "looked like fire with brilliant light surrounding him." He saw the radiance around him with the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds (Ez 1:25-28, NIV). The apostle John saw the Lord on His throne in heaven, "and the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne." (Rev 4:3, NIV).

I have written about these in depth, as well as modern-day testimonies of those who have seen the Lord, in my articles The Bodily Form of God the Father and The Bodily Form of the Lord Jesus Christ. For further reading on this topic, I have also written about the testimonies of those for whom God has done amazing things in Testimonies from Budapest. And I have recorded many amazing testimonies of those who have seen the Lord and seen heaven and hell on Eternal Destinations. I invite you to check those out if you are interested, and you will be blessed if you do.

Putting it All Together
God is the only One whom we can truly say is awesome. I have often heard people misuse that word. For example I once knew a guy who, when asked how he was doing, would respond by saying, "Awesome!" I really don't think he was awesome. He may have been doing well by the grace of God, but none of us are awesome. Only God is awesome. That word means "extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear."

I have seen Him do so many awesome things. I have seen the Lord miraculously heal people. I have seen Him even cause a lady's leg to grow out right before our eyes in answer to prayer. I have watched as the Lord miraculously dissolved a lump in a man's throat within a few minutes in answer to prayer. I have seen Him instantly heal a young lady from neck pain. I have witnessed Him bring my mother back from the verge of death in the emergency room within just a few minutes in direct answer to prayer. I have seen Him overwhelm people with joy in His presence, and experienced that myself. I have seen Him bring people to their knees beneath the weight of His awesome glory, and I have experienced His glorious presence myself so many times. I have seen Him deliver people of demons. I have witnessed His miraculous provision for me and others. I have seen Him save sinners and bring backsliders home. He is good and He does good! He has done great things for us and we are glad!

Doxologies
When you consider Who God Is, it inspires thoughts and praises like those found in the wonderful doxologies of Scripture. Here are a couple that are appropriate to close with:

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen."
(Rom 11:33-36, NIV)

"God, the blessed and only Ruler,
  the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light,
  whom no one has seen or can see.
To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
(1 Tim 6:15b-16, NIV)

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
(Rev 15:3-4, NIV)

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used with permission.

Author's note:  Also see Who is God?, Who is God - Part II,  Knowing the Lord, Known by God, The Knowledge of the Holy, Is Jesus God?, Jesus is Yehova, The Bodily Form of God the Father, The Bodily Form of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Light and the Glory, Jesus Alone Reveals the Father, and The Glory of the Lord Revealed.

You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Called to be Blameless

I’d like to discuss the call to blamelessness that is on the life of every disciple. This is not just for the elite or the professionals that are in ministry, but for all who follow Jesus.

The Lord Requires Us to Be Perfect
First of all, before I begin with the Scripture passages about being blameless, I’d like to mention that Jesus said, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mat 5:48). Since we are to be perfect like the Lord our God is perfect, we know that this is not merely figurative perfection or anything less than actual perfection. It affects every aspect of our lives, not just the inward unseen parts. It does not mean that we cannot make mistakes, such as failing to remember something correctly. It is not speaking of intellectual or physical perfection, but about moral perfection.

What Jesus commanded here closely approximates similar verses found in the Law. For example:

“I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” (Lev 20:26, NIV; c.f., 11:44).

The apostle Peter quoted this when he wrote, “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1Pe 1:15-16). Just as Jesus taught us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect, Peter taught us to be holy like the Holy One who called us. This removes all speculation that it could be a lesser kind of holiness. And once again, it applies to every aspect of our lives, since we must be holy in all our behavior.

The Lord Requires Us to Be Blameless
Having examined the requirements to be perfect and holy, let’s now look at what the Scripture says similarly about being blameless. The Scripture says, "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.” (Deu 18:13).

The word blameless is from the Hebrew word “tamıym” meaning “entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth: - without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.” This word was used to describe the kind of sacrifices God required, which had to be without defect.

God commanded Abram to be blameless. “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.’” (Gen 17:1). In the KJV it says, "Be thou perfect."

Blamelessness a Condition for Eternal Life
While we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, once we repent and follow Jesus, we are required to live a blameless life, if we would inherit eternal life. The Scripture says:

“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” (Ps 15. NIV).

Similarly the Holy Spirit also said, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psa 24:3-5)

“The LORD knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever.” (Psa 37:18)

“Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; For the man of peace will have a posterity.” (Psa 37:37)

“My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me.” (Psa 101:6)

We Were Chosen to Be Blameless Before Him
Not only does the Lord command us to be blameless and require it as a condition for inheriting eternal life, this is the reason He chose us. Paul said, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Eph 1:4a)

The Greek word that is translated as “blameless” in the New Testament is “anegkletos” meaning “unaccused, that is, (by implication) irreproachable: - blameless.”

Paul also wrote about the work of Christ in our lives, “That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” (Eph 5:27)

He Reconciled Us in Order to Present Us Blameless
Just as He chose us to be blameless, so has He also reconciled us in order to present us holy, blameless, and irreproachable before Him. “Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- (Col 1:22)

Noah, David, and Job Were Blameless
Three examples of blameless men in the Bible are Noah, David, and Job.

“These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” (Gen 6:9)

David said, "I was also blameless toward Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity.” (2Sa 22:24; cf. Psa 18:23)

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:1)

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."
(Job 1:8)

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause." (Job 2:3)

The 144,000 Pure Virgins are Blameless
A good example of those who are blameless are the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. “And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.” (Rev 14:3-5)

How to Be Blameless
Since we know it is required of us to blameless, it behooves us to know how to be blameless.

First of all, it is God who makes us blameless. “The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless?” (Psa 18:32). Without God making your way blameless or perfect, you don’t even have a chance.

Paul said, “He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Co 1:8-9)

Therefore, you must pray and ask the Lord to keep you from presumptuous sins and not allow them to rule over you, so that you will be blameless. David prayed, “Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.” (Psa 19:13)

Pray for a blameless heart in God’s statutes, so that you will not be ashamed. “May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed.” (Psa 119:80)

This is why Paul prayed for the Philippians that their love would abound more and more, so that they would be blameless until the end. He wrote, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;” (Php 1:9-10). Since the whole law and prophets hang on the two commandments to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself, then it's no wonder that being blameless is dependent on having an every-increasing love. Following Paul's example, you can pray this way for yourself and others, just as he did for the Philippians, in order to be blameless.

Although it is the work of God in you, the fact is that you must still do your part, as Paul did his best to always maintain a blameless conscience. He said, "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” (Act 24:16)

You must make every effort to be found blameless when Jesus returns. “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (2Pe 3:14, NIV)

If you want to prove yourselves to be blameless, you must do all things without complaining or arguing. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” (Php 2:14-16).

Just remember that you cannot do this is your own strength, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 4:6, NIV). That's why you need to be Baptized with the Spirit, as well as the powerful Holy Fire Baptism.

If we try to be blameless in our own strength, we would fail terribly and be a bunch of miserable Pharisees. The apostle Paul was a Pharisee before he came to Christ, and according to legalistic righteousness, he was blameless (Phil 3:6). But he was persecuting the Church, going from house to house to try and get people to deny Christ, and putting people into prison. Whenever the Christians were put to death, Paul was casting his vote against them. He was not blameless in heart, but only from a legalistic point of view. He was kicking against the goads until Jesus arrested him and changed his life forever. Then he became blameless and joined the ranks of those who are persecuted for Christ.

Choose the Blameless Way
You need to make a deliberate choice to conduct yourself blamelessly. As David said, “I will be careful to lead a blameless life — when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart." (Psa 101:2, NIV).

That means you will need to exercise care to avoid certain things. David refused to set before his eyes any vile thing. He said, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing " (Ps 101:3a, NIV). There are many vile things to be found on the internet, in magazines, advertisements, television, and commercials, just to name a few. So if you would lead a blameless life, you must and determine beforehand not to set such vile things before your eyes.

God is Blameless
The reason we must be blameless is that God Himself is blameless, and we are to be godly. He is blameless in all His ways, including His judgments. David said, “Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.” (Psa 51:4)

Don’t ever blame God for anything. He does no wrong and is never at fault. “As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” (Psa 18:30; cf., 2Sa 22:31).

Some people choose to blame God for something tragic that happened in their life, and they go around being angry with God for years. This holds them back from experiencing His presence in their lives. And if they die in that state, they will perish.

Some people say things like, “If there is a God, then why is there so much evil in the world?” In saying this, they show they their own heart is evil and that they do not know God, because if they knew Him, they would realize that He is blameless.

“With the kind You show Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;” (Psa 18:25)

The Blameless Are Hated and Persecuted
The blameless have always been hated and persecuted since the beginning. Abel was the first such person. Although he was righteous, his brother Cain murdered him.

This is what the evil one and his agents do. “To shoot from concealment at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.” (Psa 64:4).

Job said, "I am a joke to my friends, The one who called on God and He answered him; The just and blameless man is a joke.” (Job 12:4)

“Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.” (Pro 29:10). This is how it will continue to be for the blameless until the Lord returns.

The Lord Delights in the Blameless
While the wicked hate the blameless, the Lord delights in them. “The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight.” (Pro 11:20). It doesn’t matter what the wicked think. What matters is that the Lord is pleased with their lives.

The Way of the Blameless is Guarded
“Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner.” (Pro 13:6)

He Sets the Blameless in His Way
David said, "God is my strong fortress; And He sets the blameless in His way.” (2Sa 22:33). Therefore, if you desire to be blameless, you should always rely on God, our strong fortress, to set you in His way.

The Blameless Are Blessed
There are many blessings reserved for those who are blameless. “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD.” (Psa 119:1)

The blameless will inherit good. “He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good.” (Pro 28:10)

The blameless will remain in the land. “For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it;” (Pro 2:21)

“The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” (Pro 11:5)

The Lord will not withhold any good thing from the blameless. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psa 84:11).

What Blamelessness is Not
I have already mentioned that being perfect and blameless does not mean we never make mistakes. It also doesn’t mean that we are without sin.

Let me show you something in the twentieth proverb. Solomon said, “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” (Prov 20:7, NIV). So he commends the blameless. But then he said, “Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?” So he acknowledged that nobody can say they are without sin.

The apostle John said, “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 Jn 1:10, NIV).

The cross has given us power over sin and the goal is not to sin.  But there is a remedy if you do. “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 Jn 2:1, NIV)

We must confess our sin and repent of it, so that we might receive forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9, NIV).

Putting it All Together
In the Scriptures, we find that the Lord requires us to be perfect and blameless. Blamelessness is a condition for eternal life. We were chosen to be blameless before Him. He reconciled us in order to present us blameless. This is what we were made for, and it's what we are called to.

We have a great cloud of witnesses who were and still are blameless. Among them are Noah, David, and Job. The 144,000 pure virgins purchased from the earth are blameless.

And the Scriptures teach us how to be blameless. The Lord is the One who does it in us, but we must pray for Him to do it and we must submit to the process, allowing Him to do it. We must do our best and make every effort to be found blameless when Jesus comes.  Choose the blameless way. Just remember that you cannot do this is your own strength, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God is blameless. And although the blameless are hated and persecuted, the Lord delights in the blameless. He sets the blameless in his way. The way of the blameless is guarded by righteousness. The blameless are blessed.

And don’t forget what blamelessness is not. In your pursuit of blamelessness, you will need the blood of Jesus and the grace and mercy of God.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,” (Jud 1:24)

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, where noted. The "Rare treasure" painting is by my seventeen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can find more of her lovely artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Christian Perfection, Aim for Perfection, Holy Living in a Perverted World, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, Following in His Steps, Baptized with the Spirit, Holy Fire Baptism, The Straight and Narrow Path, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Pleasing the Lord, The Burning Ones, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, Ask for the Ancient Paths, The Knowledge of the Holy, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Keeping a Good Conscience, Separation from the World, Having a Servant's Heart, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, Righteous Deeds and White Robes, Doing What is Right, Partaking of the Divine Nature, The Ways of Life, The Refiner's Fire, Whatever You Do, Do All Like This, Is Obedience Optional?, Obedience by the Spirit, and The Obedience of Faith.You can find more of my articles related to Seeking the Lord on the Home page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Who is God?

View Over Crystal Lake, C.V. Lacroix

Dear God-seekers, today I'd like to ask the question, "Who is God?" Have you ever sat and tried to answer that question? You could try it right now before you read this article. So grab a sheet of paper and a pen, or your keyboard, and attempt to define who God is. Then come and compare that with my definition based on Scripture and see how close you were. So here's Who the Word of God says God is:

God is One
“Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord;” (Mar 12:29)

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (Jas 2:19)

God is the Only God
"Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:21b-22)

God is the Great I AM
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exo 3:14)

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Exo 3:6) 

“God, furthermore, said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.’” (Exo 3:15)

"But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: ‘I am the God of Aabraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Mat 22:31-32)

Also see Gen. 31:42,53; Exo. 3:6,16; 4:5; 1Ki. 18:36; 1Ch. 29:18; 2Ch. 30:6; Psa. 47:9; Mat. 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37; Acts 3:13; 7:32.

God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1:1)

“May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psa 115:15)

“Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; Who keeps faith forever;” (Psa 146:6)

“Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.” (Isa 40:26)

“For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.” (Isa 45:18)

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD. ‘But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.’” (Isa 66:1-2)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (Joh 1:1-3)

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” (Heb 1:1-2)

God is the Maker of All Mankind
“The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.” (Pro 22:2)

“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” (Psa 95:6)

"And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" (Act 17:26-27)

God is Worthy to Receive Glory, Honor, and Power
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." (Rev 4:11)

God is the Head of Christ
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the Head of Christ.” (1Co 11:3)

God is a Consuming Fire, a Jealous God
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb 12:28-29)

"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deu 4:24)

“A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.” (Nah 1:2)

God is Holy
“Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psa 22:3)

“In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.’ And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.” (Isa 6:1-4)

“The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.’"  (Rev 4:7-8)

"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before You, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Rev 15:4)

God is Righteous
"Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.” (Dan 9:14)

"They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.” (Isa 45:24)

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.” (Psa 119:142)

God is Witness
“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness.” (1Th 2:5)

"Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant." (Mal 2:14)

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.” (1Jn 5:9)

God is True
"He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.” (Joh 3:33)

God Knows All Things
“For God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” (1Jn 3:20b)

"Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all." (Ps 139:4)

“Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding?” (Isa 40:13-14)

God is Judge
“God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.” (Psa 7:11)

“But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.” (Psa 75:7)

"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds." (Rev 20:11-12)

God is Opposed to the Proud
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’" (Jas 4:6)

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1Pe 5:5)

God is Gracious and Compassionate
"For the LORD your God is a compassionate God;” (Deu 4:31)

“Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.” (Psa 116:5)

"For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."  (2Ch 30:9)

God is Love
“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1Jn 4:8)

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1Jn 4:16)

God is Good
"And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone." (Mk 10:18).

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Ps 107:1)

God is the God of gods
"For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
(Deu 10:17)

“The king answered Daniel and said, Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.’ " (Dan 2:47)

God is Eternal
"The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, 'Destroy!'” (Deu 33:27)

"Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.” (Job 36:26)

“Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psa 90:2)

“But You, O LORD, abide forever, And Your name to all generations.” (Psa 102:12)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.” (Isa 40:28)

“Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One?” (Hab 1:12a)

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Rom 1:20)

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8)

God is Great
“The LORD is great in Zion, And He is exalted above all the peoples.” (Psa 99:2)

“For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods.” (Psa 135:5)

"God is greater than man.”  (Job 33:12b)

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust…All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.” (Isa 40:15,17)

God is Mighty
"Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding.” (Job 36:5)

God is Exalted
"Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him?” (Job 36:22)

"Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.” (Job 36:26)

God is Awesome
"Out of the north comes golden splendor; Around God is awesome majesty.” (Job 37:22)

God is Glorious
"And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished." (Rev 15:8)

God is the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible – the only God
“For God is the King of all the earth.” (Psa 47:7a)

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1Ti 1:17)

“To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1Pe 5:11)

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” (Psa 145:13)

“God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.” (Psa 47:8)

“He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.” (Psa 66:7)

"How great are His signs And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom And His dominion is from generation to generation.” (Dan 4:3)

"He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.” (Dan 5:21)

"The LORD shall reign forever and ever." (Exo 15:18)

“You, O LORD, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation.” (Lam 5:19)

"And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,  'Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.'" (Rev 15:3-4)

Also see Revelation 4.

God is a Victorious Warrior
"The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious Warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” (Zep 3:17)

God is a Refuge
“God is a refuge for us.” (Psa 62:8b)

God is a God of Deliverance
“God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.”  (Psa 68:20)

God is a Sun and Shield
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psa 84:11)

God is Light
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1Jn 1:5)

God is in the Heavens
“But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.” (Psa 115:3)

The Lord is My Shepherd
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psa 23:1)

God Cares
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Pe 5:7, NIV)

God is My Helper
“Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” (Psa 54:4)

God is Our Strength
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psa 46:1)

“The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.” (Hab 3:19)

“My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psa 73:26)

God is Salvation
"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."  (Isa 12:2)

God is the One Who Justifies
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;” (Rom 8:33)

"In the LORD all the offspring of Israel Will be justified and will glory." (Isa 45:25)

God is Faithful
“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1Co 1:9)

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1Co 10:13)

God is Able
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (Eph 3:20)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” (2Co 9:8)

God is All-Powerful
“'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds;” (Jer 32:17-19)

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer 32:27)

"Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?" (Isa 43:13)

"For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?" (Isa 14:27)

“Then Job answered the LORD and said, ‘I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.’” (Job 42:1-2)

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” (Pr 21:30, NIV)

“He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (Heb 11:19)

"Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?” (Act 26:8)

And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mat 19:26)

God is Spirit
"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Joh 4:24)

God is Everywhere
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psa 139:7)

God is Wise and Strong
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1Co 1:25)

God is Without Equal
“To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?” (Isa 40:18)

"’To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?’ says the Holy One.” (Isa 40:25)

Now let's see who God is not, what He is not like, and what He will never do.

God Does Not Change
“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Mal 3:6)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (Jas 1:17, NIV)

God is Not a Man That He Should Lie
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num 23:19)

God Cannot Be Tempted By Evil and Does Not Tempt Anyone
"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." (Jas 1:13)

There is No Unrighteousness in God
"The Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." (Ps 92:15b)

God Will Not Fail You
"He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” (Deu 4:31b)

God Does Not Become Weary or Tired
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.” (Isa 40:28)

“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psa 121:4)

God Gives Endurance and Encouragement

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 15:5-6)

God is Not Dependent on Man 
"Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;" (Act 17:25)

God Does Not Show Partiality
“Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality…’” (Act 10:34)

“For there is no partiality with God.” (Rom 2:11)

God is Not a God of Confusion
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1Co 14:33)

God is Not Mocked
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Gal 6:7)

God Will Not Give His Praise to Graven Images
"Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it, I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images." (Isa 42:5-8)

God is Not Unjust
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” (Heb 6:10)

God is Not Ashamed to Be Called Their God
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Heb 11:13-16)

Putting it All Together
God is one. He is the only God, the Great “I AM Who I AM.” He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Maker of all mankind, the Head of Christ. He is a consuming Fire, a jealous God. He is holy and righteous. God is Witness, and He is True. He knows all things. God is Judge, and He is opposed to the proud. Yet He is gracious and compassionate, giving grace to the humble. He gives endurance and encouragement. God is love. He is good. He is eternal, great, mighty, exalted, awesome, immortal, and invisible. He is the King and the God of gods. He is a Victorious Warrior, a Refuge, a God of deliverance, a Sun and Shield. He is Light. He is in the Heavens. The Lord is My Shepherd. He cares. He is our Helper and our Strength. God is Salvation. He is the One who justifies. He is faithful, He is able, He is wise and strong. He is all-powerful! God is Spirit. He is everywhere. He is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power.

God does not change. He is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. He  cannot be tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone. He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant. God is not one to show partiality, and there is no partiality with God. God is not a God of confusion but of peace. God is not dependent on any mortal man. He does not become weary or tired. Nothing is too difficult for Him. God is not mocked. God is not unjust. He will not give his praise to graven images. God is not ashamed to be called the God of those who live by faith in Him.

Have you put your faith in Him? Do you trust in Him with all your heart? Do you love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength? Are you holy, even as He is holy? Do you give thanks to Him in all things? Do you obey His commandments? Do you give Him the praise that is rightly due Him? Are you living according to His ways of life? Have you repented and asked Him to forgive you of all your sins? Are you prepared to meet your God? Do you know Him?

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6). He is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15). He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word (Heb 11:3a). I urge you to give your life to Him today, so that He may truly be your Lord and Savior.

Who is God? - Part II

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted. Where note, Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®.The "View Over Crystal Lake" painting by my seventeen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix. You can find more of her lovely artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note: You are invited to read Who is God? - Part II, The Loving God Who Bids Us to Come, The Bodily Form of God the Father, Is Jesus God?, God is an Awesome God, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, The Cost of Discipleship, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.