Character of God Revealed Through Jesus Christ
The character of God is revealed through Jesus Christ, who embodies divine attributes and makes God known to humanity [15]. This revelation is central to Christian understanding, as Jesus is presented as the image of God and the one through whom God's nature is fully disclosed [9].
One primary aspect of God's character revealed in Jesus is holiness. Jesus himself is described as holy, righteous, and without sin [7]. He is presented as the standard for holiness, just as God's character is the standard [5]. This holiness is not merely external but uncovers the deeper intent of God's law, revealing sin at a profound level [13]. The purpose of Jesus' manifestation was to take away sins, demonstrating God's commitment to purity and reconciliation [10].
Grace and truth are also profoundly revealed through Jesus. While the law was given through Moses, grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ [1]. Jesus is described as "true" and "just" [7]. His life and sacrificial death embody God's love, demonstrating it as an atoning sacrifice [11]. This love is a motive for believers to love Christ in return [8].
Jesus' character further reveals God's devotion and obedience. Christ serves as an example of devotedness to God, grounded in God's mercies and goodness [6]. He was obedient to God the Father, zealous in his work, and meek in spirit [7]. This obedience extends to his role as Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King, through whom God's will and plan are executed [9].
The divine nature of Jesus, previously veiled, was disclosed during his earthly ministry, offering glimpses of his glory [12]. He is described as "altogether lovely" and possessing excellency and glory as God, as the Son of God, and as one with the Father [7, 9]. He is identified as the Creator and the image of God [9]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the "mystery of godliness" in Christ, who "was manifested in the flesh" and "justified in the Spirit," highlighting his superhuman dignity [14].
Jesus also reveals God's role as Judge. The Bible states that God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ [4]. This judicial role is part of Christ's character, as he is also described as Judge [9].
The revelation of Jesus Christ is not only about his past manifestation but also concerns future events. The book of Revelation is explicitly called "the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon" [2, 3]. This demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and the future, revealed through Christ.
Sources
- John “For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. -- John 1:17”
- Revelation “This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, -- Revelation 1:1”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 1:1 (BSB) — This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,”
- Romans “Romans 2:16 (Geneva1599) — At the day when God shall iudge the secretes of men by Iesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:5: And ye know that he was manifested,.... This is a truth of the Gospel the saints were well instructed in and acquainted with; that Jesus Christ, the Word and Son of God, who is here meant, who was with the Father, and lay in his bosom from all eternity, was in the fulness of time made manifest in the flesh, or human nature, by assuming it into union with his divine person; in which he came and dwelt among men, and became visible to them: the end of which manifestation was, to take away our sins; as the antitype of the scape goat, making reconciliation and satisfactio”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:9: 4:9-10 Jesus Christ, sent from God the Father, embodied and demonstrated God’s love in his life on earth and in his sacrificial death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:2: 17:2 Jesus’ appearance was transformed: Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three caught a glimpse of his glory (see Exod 34:29-35; Ps 104:2; 2 Cor 3:12-18; Rev 1:16). Jesus’ followers will one day share in this glory (Matt 13:43).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:27: 5:27-30 Jesus’ righteousness uncovers sin at a deeper level than the external; he reveals the true intent of the law.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:16: And--following up Ti1 3:15 : The pillar of the truth is the Church in which thou art required to minister; "AND (that thou mayest know how grand is that truth which the Church so upholds) confessedly (so the Greek for 'without controversy') great is the mystery of godliness: (namely), HE WHO (so the oldest manuscripts and versions read for 'God') was manifested in (the) flesh (He who) was justified in the Spirit," &c. There is set before us the whole dignity of Christ's person. If He were not essentially superhuman (Tit 2:13), how could the apostle ”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 1:1: Here we have, I. What we may call the pedigree of this book. 1. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The whole Bible is so; for all revelation comes through Christ and all centres in him; and especially in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son, and concerning his Son. Christ, as the king of his church, has been pleased thus far to let his church know by what rules and methods he will proceed in his government; and, as the prophet of the church, he has made known to us the things that shall be hereafter. 2. It is a revelation which God gave unto Chris”