God’s Love–What It Is, and What It Isn’t–Part 2

Whenever we try to learn more about God, we should not attempt to do so as a means to describe Him. If finite man could describe Infinite God, He would no longer be Infinite.

“God’s purpose is to conceal more of himself than he makes known to man. Could men fully understand the ways and works of God, they would not then believe him to be the infinite One. He is not to be comprehended by man in his wisdom, and reasons, and purposes. ‘His ways are past finding out.’ His love can never be explained upon natural principles. If this could be done, we would not feel that we could trust him with the interests of our souls….

“… If men could comprehend the unsearchable wisdom of God, and could explain that which he has done or can do, they would no longer give him reverence, or fear his power. In divine revelation God has given to men mysteries that are incomprehensible, to command their faith. This must be so. If the ways and works of God could be explained by finite minds, he would not stand as supreme. Men may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond.” (Ellen White, GCDB February 18, 1897, Art. A, emphasis added.)

This does not mean we are not to learn more about God. Rather, we ought to search for Him with all our hearts. But the purpose is not so that we might describe Him to others. The purpose is to learn what is our duty to Him, and with what motive and attitude we perform that duty. This God requires as Supreme Ruler.

“True religion is a religion that keeps constantly in view the honor and glory of God. We are to regard our heavenly Father with holy fear and reverence. He requires of His blood-bought heritage a cheerful obedience. As we realize His great love, our hearts will be inspired with gratitude, we shall serve Him with cheerfulness, and firmly, confidently put our trust wholly in Him.” (Ellen White, This Day With God, 116, emphasis added.)

Those who teach that God’s love is unconditional fail to understand that unconditional love has no (zero) conditions. Synonymous with the word “condition” we find other terms that help us comprehend how unconditional love actually dethrones God because there would be no condition by which God would be Supreme. (We will scrutinize these terms more thoroughly in the next post.) This is actually what motivated Satan to remain unrepentant in his rebellion. He desired to be equal with God. As such, he demanded that the law of God be changed or abolished so that angels could govern themselves as they saw fit.

“Satan had declared that the law of God was faulty, and that the good of the universe demanded a change in its requirements. In attacking the law, he thought to overthrow the authority of its Author, and gain for himself the supreme allegiance.” (Ellen White, Bible Echo July 15, 1893, emphasis added.)

“The change or abolition of the laws of his government in the heavenly courts was demanded as the evidence of the love of God. We see that the controversy has been kept up, Satan creating enmity against God because of his holy law…. By his representations he seeks to widen the distance between heaven and earth, and he grows into the conviction that he can wear out the patience of God, extinguish his love for man, and bring condemnation upon the whole human family.” (Ellen White, Review and Herald, October 21, 1902, emphasis added.)