You ask how can I get this love and obedience. There is only one answer. We know that we love Him when we know that He loves us; and we know He loves us when we see Him dying on His cross. So here is the ladder. The first round is, behold the dying Christ and His love to me. The second is, let that love melt my heart into sweet responsive love. The third is, let my love mold my life into obedience. And then Christ, and God in Him, will give me a fuller knowledge and a deeper love, and make His dwelling with me. And then there is only one step left, and that will land us by the throne of God, and in the many mansions of the Father=s house where we shall make our abodes with Him forever more. - Alexander Maclaren

 

 

Our Baptist Heritage

 

Q.  Is there any word full enough to perfectly express what God is in Himself?

A.  No, His name is full of wonder. And the Angel of the LORD said to him, AWhy do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?@ Judges 13:18 It is a name beyond man=s knowledge. Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son=s name, If you know? Proverbs 30:4 It is a name above every name. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. Philippians 2:9 But the name by which He has chosen to manifest Himself to His covenant people is I AM.  And God said to Moses, AI AM WHO I AM.@ And He said, AThus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.@ Exodus 3:14

 

Q.  What does the name of God, I AM signify to us?

A.  It signifies first to us, the reality of His being in opposition to idols, which are but imaginations and fantasies. Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 1 Corinthians 8:4

 

Q.  What else does the name of God, I AM signify to us?

A.  It signifies both the perfection and eternity of God=s being.  The name I AM declares that God is neither improving nor declining, but in a state of constancy.  It also that there is neither beginning, nor end, nor succession with God.

 

Q.  What are we to understand by Your name, in the first petition of the Lord=s prayer?

A.  All those things by which God manifests Himself to mankind: His Word, His works, His ordinances of worship, and especially the attributes of His nature.  Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, AThe LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.@ Exodus 34:5-6