About the Incommunicable, Communicable attributes & the Fruit of the Spirit
This is a quick rundown on who God is. You can examine deeper at the link at the bottom
Introduction:
God's attributes can be divided into two main categories: incommunicable attributes (those that God does not share with creation) and communicable attributes (those that can be reflected in human beings, being made in His image).
God's Attributes
Core Attributes of God
Aseity: Independent self-existence, eternal, uncreated, self-sufficient, essence, the source.
Eternality: Existing without beginning or end.
Spirituality: Existing as a spirit, not a material being.
Divine Attributes of Power and Knowledge
Sovereignty: Supreme authority and control over all things.
Holiness: Transcendent and morally perfect.
Omnipresence: Present everywhere at once.
Omniscience: Knowing everything.
Omnipotence: All-powerful.
Immutability: Unchanging.
Divine Attributes of Character
Exclusivity: Unique and without equal.
Jealousy: Disapproving of idolatry in any form.
Truthfulness: Always telling the truth.
Wisdom: All-knowing and understanding.
Goodness: Morally excellent and perfect.
Love: A deep affection and concern for others.
Loving Kindness: A gentle and compassionate love.
Foreknowledge: Knowing the future in advance.
Patience: Tolerant and long-suffering.
Lordship: Supreme authority and dominion.
Wrath: Righteous anger towards sin and evil.
Justice: Fair and just in all dealings.
Grace: Unmerited favor and kindness.
Mercy: Compassion and forgiveness.
Forgiveness: Willing to pardon offenses.
Incommunicable and Communicable Attributes of God
Incommunicable attributes are those that God uniquely possesses. These attributes highlight God's divine nature and His distinct position as the Creator and Ruler of the universe. They are qualities that cannot be shared with or possessed by any other being. These attributes emphasize God's divine nature and transcendence.
Incommunicable Attributes
Aseity: Independent self-existence
Eternity: Existing without beginning or end
Spirituality: Existing as a spirit, not a material being
Omnipresence: Present everywhere at once
Omniscience: Knowing everything
Omnipotence: All-powerful
Immutability: Unchanging
Exclusivity: This attribute emphasizes God's uniqueness and the fact that there is no other God. It is often expressed in the concept of monotheism, where God is the sole object of worship.
Lordship: This attribute asserts God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation. As Lord, God has ultimate control and sovereignty.
Impassibility: God is incapable of suffering or being affected by emotions.
Note on God's Impassibility: God is incapable of suffering or being affected by emotions. but he does show those emotions or characteristics in a perfect and right manner, unaffected by sinful emotions like man has. The Bible does portray God as experiencing emotions, but these emotions are not the same as human emotions.
While God is impassible in the sense that He is incapable of suffering in the same way humans do, He does experience righteous emotions that are a reflection of His perfect nature. For example:
Anger: God is described as being angry with sin and injustice (e.g., Psalm 7:11). However, His anger is not a sinful or uncontrolled emotion but rather a righteous expression of His holiness and justice.
Love: God's love is a defining characteristic of His nature. It is a perfect and unconditional love that extends to all creation (e.g., 1 John 4:8).
Compassion: God is described as being compassionate and merciful towards His people (e.g., Psalm 145:8). His compassion is a manifestation of His love and goodness.
It's important to understand that God's emotions are not subject to the same limitations or imperfections as human emotions (as created bejngs and also as falken sinful ones). God's are always righteous, perfect, and in harmony with His divine nature.
And yet, Jesus is God and Human so he did experience those emotions, but from a perfect perspective since he was not born through Adam's lineage, as Scripture says he is the second Adam, perfect as the first Adam was before the fall and sin.
As the incarnation of God, Jesus Christ fully experienced human emotions. However, unlike humans, He was not subject to sin or its corrupting influence. This is why His emotions were always perfect and righteous, reflecting the divine nature He shared with God the Father. Jesus is often referred to as the "second Adam" in Scripture. This comparison highlights His role as a perfect and sinless representative of humanity. Unlike the first Adam, who succumbed to temptation and brought sin into the world, Jesus remained obedient to God's will and overcame the power of sin.
Therefore, while Jesus experienced human emotions, His experience was unique and distinct from that of any other human. His emotions were always in perfect alignment with God's will and were a reflection of His divine nature.
When we think of God, we might be thinking of the Father, but we also have to think of the Holy Spirit, and likewise as noted earlier about God and his emotions, His emotions remains in perfection. If you recall the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as having feelings. For example, in Ephesians 4:30, we are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit. This implies that the Holy Spirit can be saddened or upset. Even so, it's important to remember that the Holy Spirit's feelings are not the same as human emotions. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, not a human being. Therefore, His feelings are not subject to the same limitations or imperfections as human emotions.
When we grieve the Holy Spirit, we are not causing Him physical pain or emotional distress in the same way we might grieve a human friend. Rather, we are resisting or hindering His work in our lives. This can have negative consequences for our spiritual growth and well-being.
Communicable attributes reflect God's nature and how He interacts with the world. And He shares these with humans being made in His image, (albeit we share these in a limited and imperfect way [until believers enter eternity]).
Communicable Attributes
Truthfulness: Always telling the truth
Wisdom: All-knowing and understanding
Goodness: Morally excellent and perfect
Love: A deep affection and concern for others
Loving Kindness: A gentle and compassionate love
Justice: Fair and just in all dealings
Holiness: Transcendent and morally perfect
Mercy: Compassion and forgiveness
Grace: Unmerited favor and kindness
Patience: Tolerant and long-suffering
Additionally included in the communicable attributes of God, are what we see in Galatians where God tells us about believers possessing the Fruit of the Spirit:
Love: A deep affection and concern for others
Joy: A deep-seated happiness that is not dependent on external circumstances.
Peace: A state of inner tranquility and harmony.
Patience: The ability to endure hardship or delay without becoming discouraged.
Kindness: A gentle and considerate attitude towards others.
Goodness: The quality of being morally excellent and virtuous.
Faithfulness: The quality of being reliable and trustworthy.
Gentleness: A mild and considerate disposition.
Self-control: The ability to control one's impulses and desires.
As noted above, we humans can possess these attributes because we were created originally in His image and possessed them in a perfect way, before the Fall in Eden. We believers grow in living these attributes of righteousness out more and more, but wont perfectly do so until we shed this sin stained body and as Scripture says being made perfect by Christ, and will be perfect once we enter eternity. Until then we strive to live holy as many verses say, including 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 3:12, James 1:4, Colossians 1:28 and Philippians 3:12-14, and 2 Peter 1:3.
Colossians 1: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
A brief look at the Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit: Living in Righteousness
The Galatians 5:22-23 passage lists nine fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not merely human virtues but rather manifestations of the divine nature that believers receive through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Let's explore each of these fruit in more detail, and so you can see how you can live out these areas of righteousness more and more as you mature in the faith.
Love
Definition: A deep affection and concern for others, characterized by sacrificial giving and forgiveness.
Connection to God: God is love (1 John 4:8). When believers love others, they are reflecting the very nature of God.
Impact: Love is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the foundation of all other virtues.
Joy
Definition: A deep-seated happiness that is not dependent on external circumstances.
Connection to God: God is the source of our joy (Psalm 16:11). When we have a relationship with God, we can experience true joy.
Impact: Joy is a powerful antidote to sorrow and despair. It enables us to face life's challenges with hope and resilience.
Peace
Definition: A state of inner tranquility and harmony.
Connection to God: God gives us peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). When we trust in God, we can experience peace even in the midst of turmoil.
Impact: Peace is essential for a healthy and fulfilling life. It enables us to focus on what matters most and to overcome anxiety and fear.
Patience
Definition: The ability to endure hardship or delay without becoming discouraged.
Connection to God: God is patient with us (Romans 2:4). When we are patient, we are imitating His character.
Impact: Patience is a virtue that helps us to persevere through difficulties and to develop a deeper trust in God.
Kindness
Definition: A gentle and considerate attitude towards others.
Connection to God: God is kind to the ungrateful and evil (Luke 6:35). When we are kind, we are reflecting His love and compassion.
Impact: Kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of others. It can bring joy, hope, and encouragement.
Goodness
Definition: The quality of being morally excellent and virtuous.
Connection to God: God is the ultimate source of goodness (Psalm 145:9). When we strive for goodness, we are aligning ourselves with God's will.
Impact: Goodness is essential for a meaningful and fulfilling life. It helps us to live with integrity and to make positive contributions to the world.
Faithfulness
Definition: The quality of being reliable and trustworthy.
Connection to God: God is faithful to His promises (Psalm 89:1). When we are faithful to God, we are demonstrating our trust in Him.
Impact: Faithfulness is essential for building strong relationships and maintaining a consistent spiritual life.
Gentleness
Definition: A mild and considerate disposition.
Connection to God: God is gentle and merciful (Psalm 145:8). When we are gentle, we are reflecting His compassionate nature.
Impact: Gentleness can help us to approach difficult situations with grace and understanding. It can also foster harmony and peace in our relationships.
Self-Control
Definition: The ability to control one's impulses and desires.
Connection to God: God gives us the power to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we exercise self-control, we are demonstrating our trust in God.
Impact: Self-control is essential for a healthy and balanced life. It helps us to avoid harmful behaviors and to make wise choices.
Hope this has helped you.
God bless
Related
A deeper look at who God is & His attributes
Living out the Fruit of the Spirit, growing in righteousness
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