Two very different things can be true at the same time—like the fact that God is both great and good. The Lord is both majestic and merciful. From another theological angle, God is both transcendent and immanent. He is high and exalted, yet also near and present with his people. You can say it in many ways.
And these diverse attributes reflect the richness of God’s character. God is utterly holy (i.e., pure, morally perfect), and thus he stands apart from everything else in existence. And God is totally loving (i.e., his heart delights to pour out blessing upon all who come to him in humble faith—in fact, love has eternally exuded among the divine Persons of the Triune Godhead).
What’s more, the wide-ranging characteristics of God are not at odds with each other, but complementary. And we need the full picture; we need the whole truth about the God who made us. For example, notice how Jesus’ “I am” statements in John bring out an array of attributes possessed by the divine Son of God:
- I am the bread of life (6:35). He is our up-close-and-personal sustenance of soul.
- I am the light of the world (8:12). Christ is bright and brilliant and expansive—and he shines both nearby and far off.
- I am the door of the sheep (10:7). He is our access to security.
- I am the good shepherd (10:11). Jesus gives personal attention to all in his flock, calling us each by name.
- I am the resurrection and the life (11:25). He bursts the bonds of this temporary existence, opening eternity for us.
- I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6). Christ uniquely defines what is ultimately real and right and good.
- I am the true vine (15:1)—strong and steady, yet close and connected to all who put their trust in him. Give thanks!
