The Character of God: In His Own Words

By Jonathan G. East

Understanding the character of God is fundamental in understanding his true nature and personality. In a world where God is described as many different and often-conflicting ways, it is refreshing to know that God has already told us who he is. In this book, the reader will see God as described to man by God himself. As he speaks to Moses, he reveals his most basic and core character for all people to know.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973630678

Jonathan G. East

I was born early Easter Sunday morning, the baby boy of five sons born to Donald and Patricia East. I grew up in the small town of Monticello, Kentucky near beautiful Lake Cumberland and was saved as a child while attending Newtown Baptist Church under the preaching ministry of Brother Clarence Worley. My young family was split early by divorce, and sadly, I did not grow up with the proper perspective of God as being a loving heavenly Father. I didnt come to the proper understanding of the character of God until after I had surrendered to preach the Gospel and was completing my Seminary studies at the Cumberland Baptist Institute. It was only then I came to experience God as the Exodus 34 kind of Father, which has made all the difference in my life and ministry. I have been blessed to enjoy serving my country in the military, marriage to a loving wife, raising a son and pastoring at Fairhaven. My life is very full as my cup overflows!

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Copyright © 2018 Jonathan G. East.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-3066-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-3067-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018906932

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/18/2018

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction

Chapter 2—The Lord

Chapter 3—The LORD God

Chapter 4—Merciful

Chapter 5—Gracious

Chapter 6—Longsuffering

Chapter 7—Abundant in Goodness

Chapter 8—Abundant in Truth

Chapter 9—Keeping Mercy for Thousands

Chapter 10—Forgiving Iniquity, Transgression, and Sin

Chapter 11—...And That by No Means Will Clear the Guilty

Chapter 12—Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children

Chapter 13—Conclusion

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Introduction

This work explores the character of God as revealed to Moses in Exodus, chapter 34, and will help His followers gain a better understanding of His attributes. The earthly ministry and works of Jesus Christ are also examined for comparison. I intend to show that Jesus always manifested the same characteristics His heavenly Father manifested. The implications I discuss will become obvious to those who are trying to live godly lives.

A proper understanding of the character, or heart, of God is of vital importance because it gives His followers a reference point for understanding all other things. A wrong understanding of God’s character propagates a misunderstanding of all events of this world as well as all the plans God has for us in the world to come. It is only by knowing God’s true character and experiencing personal fellowship with Him that we can put into proper perspective the events of this life and the eternal life to come.

A proper understanding of God’s character, or nature, should cause His disciples to have proper reverence for Him. It should inspire them to always worship Him in spirit and in truth in all circumstances. God’s children should look like Him. A proper understanding of His character should help His children conform to the image of His Son, Jesus, who was the earthly, visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

Properly understanding God’s personality should help His children become vessels of honor from which godly character should flow (2 Timothy 2:21).

There are many ideas today about God’s character. The opinions vary widely. Some believe God created humanity but then sent us out alone with little concern for or any involvement in people’s lives. But a detached and apathetic God is not the one true God described in the Holy Bible.

Others believe God predestined, or predetermined, all the events of the world and is domineering or strong-arming them into being. Those who follow this fatalistic view believe that humans have no choice in the events of their lives. But, of course, this is not the proper mind-set either. The God of the Holy Bible allows individuals to make choices that control their eternal destinies and bring much of the joy—or heartache—into life on this earth.

Even Christians totally devoted to God sometimes struggle to see the heart of God in proper perspective. This is especially true when facing suffering, loss, grief, persecution, and devastating tragedy.

Some people going through great tragedies are susceptible to the philosophy of Epicurus. Epicurus was a philosopher who lived between 341 and 270 BC. He posed the riddle, Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?¹

It