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“GOD IS SPIRIT.” (Jn. 4:24)
 Jesus
does not speak of God’s personality, but of His essence. He is
not “a” spirit, among many; but He is “Spirit” —
absolutely free from all limitations of space and time. He “dwelleth
not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s
hands, as though He needed any thing.” (Acts 17: 24-25) He
must be worshipped from the heart, “in spirit” — the inner
self, which God made “in His image” — a self wholly given
to God; with will bowed submissively to God’s will — hence,
“in truth.”
“GOD IS LIGHT.” (1 Jn. 1:5)
John
does not say He is “a” light; nor, in this passage, not even
“the” light. John describes the nature of God; what He “is’
not what He “does.” Westcott says, “Physically ‘light’
embodies the idea of splendor, glory: intellectually, of truth:
morally, of holiness.” God is truth, absolutely; the very
essence of holiness and glory. “In Him is no darkness at all.”
Hence,
all who would have fellowship with God must walk in the light,
renouncing
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and casting off the works of darkness (Rom.
13: 12-14). For imperfect man, this fellowship is possible only
through Jesus Christ, who cleanses us of sin.
“GOD IS LOVE.” (1 Jn. 4:8, 16)
Love,
like Spirit and Light, is the very essence of God. It is not
merely an attribute. These passages say far more than that God
loves, or is loving. They say “God is love;” so much so that
if we love, after a godly fashion, this is proof that God is in
us. We can not “know” God, except we “know” and manifest
love. (Read carefully, 1 Jn. 4: 7121)
The
mortal, finite mind can only accept these marvelous truths, and
“seek” to grasp their significance by application at our own
level.
We
can worship “from the heart” and God searches the heart and
knows our spirit. We can struggle against darkness, and have
Christ as advocate and mediator. We can determine to love our
brethren, and learn something of God, who is love. And He
beckons us, higher and higher!!
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