Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Psalm 34:8 ¶ O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 34:8 ¶ O taste and see that the LORD [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him. [1 Pet 2:2, 3] |
Bible Question:
For the Forum's consideration: Is God good because he conforms to some set of rules? Or are there no rules for God? Example: Man's goodness is determined by the law. But if there were no law, then anything man did would be ok. Everything man did would be good and right. Now, for God, are there no rules for him so that anything he chooses to do is right, or are there rules for God to which he must conform in order to be good? Lionstrong |
Bible Answer: Lionstrong, God is not bound by rules as such. One of the definitions for rules is, 'The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.' God needs nothing to govern His conduct because His conduct is always consistent with His nature. For a rule to be a rule, it must have come from a higher authority. There is no higher authority than God so He has no rules which He must follow. But He always acts in accordance with who He is. Man's 'goodness' is really determined, not by law, but by God's character. True righteousness, perfection, is found in God alone. He is the standard. He gave the Law, and laws, to show what that character 'looks like.' The Pharisees felt that they kept the Law and Jesus showed them that keeping the written code was not enough. "The Law says...but I tell you..." God's character is the true standard. Jesus said, "Be perfect." How perfect? As perfect as the Law? No. "As perfect as your Heavenly Father." Ouch! Jesus not only never committed adultery (the Law) but He never even lusted (God's character). Thankfully, He does give His listeners a little hint here of what He was going to accomplish. He said, "BE perfect," not "DO perfect." He was hinting that true perfection is not a matter of doing everything right, but, rather, a matter of changing your identity. "Be perfect." So, how was (is) that accomplished? By our union with Christ. Christ is perfect and God now sees us IN HIM. I am perfect before God because I am in Christ. My perfection is not based on what I do or don't do. It is based on who I am in Christ - 2 Cor 5:17. My new spirit is "created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." What great news! Christ didn't just deal with what I do or don't do, He changed who I am! I have received the gift of righteousness through faith. "For by one offering (Christ) He has perfected for ALL TIME those who are sanctified." - Heb 10:14. That deserves a Texas amen - "YEEHAW!" Perfect in Christ, Bill Mc |