The Way: Part 2

We talk about doing things God's way, but when was the last time we took the time to learn from Scripture as pertains to the nature of God so we can emulate Him as The Way we are to live? Jesus was the perfect example, as we'll find when learning more about the nature of God's ways.

God’s way is perfect. Many of us will easily agree and confess that God is perfect. But, if He is perfect, then His way is perfect. His Word is true.

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;  he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 18:30)

So often we question the ways of God when we know what God wants and expects, but we find it difficult to agree with Him – His ways don't always make sense to our way of thinking. We need to remind ourselves that the ways of God are right, always right. We blame Him when we stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9 offers truth that may be hard for some to swallow:

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. 

Many believers talk about the way of holiness or living a life of holiness. The Word challenges us to acknowledge the Lord's holiness and model our lives in such a way that reflects all that makes Him holy. The Psalmist wrote:

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders you have made known your might among the peoples. (Psalm 77:12-14)

Just as God's way is holy and right, His ways are always just and true. To be just according to the Bible Sense Lexicon means "being legally or ethically right, proper, or fitting; especially as free from favoritism, self-interest, bias, or deception...honorable, righteous, morally right." The same Lexicon defines true as being consistent with fact or reality; not false ... faithful, sincere, genuine, correct". We read this again in Revelation 15:3:

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

And, again, the same wording is found in Daniel 4:37: "all his works are true and his ways are just".

He is so amazing, and we are so undeserving; we fall so short in our attempts to walk as one whose nature and character is reflective of God's. For those who keep God's covenant, we see a God of lovingkindness and truth, steadfast love and faithfulness in Psalm 25:10:

The ways of the Lord are also lovingkindness and truth. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 helps remind us that our ways cannot be compared to His ways.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

There is a wonderful book by Ben Witherington III, PhD, titled "Who God Is". I really encourage you to get a copy and read it and share it. Not only does Professor Witherington answer a lot of questions that deal with God's character and nature, but the Most High God is glorified throughout the book and Scripture.

When talking to people about God, it's not uncommon to get a response like this: "I can't worship a God who allows suffering..." Of course, there are a plethora of other reasons people will give as excuses for not worshiping God. But the idea is that they simply cannot acknowledge that our finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God whose nature and character are beyond our ability to fully understand. Romans 11:33 says:

"How unsearchable are his judgments, how unfathomable his ways!"

Though God’s ways can appear to be mysterious, “the righteous shall live by his faith” ( Habakuk 2:4). These words are quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10:38). Habakkuk 3:6 also reminds us that "His ways are everlasting."

There are so many more scriptures that help us know the nature of His ways and character. To continue reading, use the link below.