And furthermore, is love all that the Bible says that God is? Doesn't the Bible say that God is a Spirit? How does a Spirit love? Doesn't the Bible say that God is holy? How does a Holy Spirit love? Doesn't the Bible say that God is unique, that there is none other like him? How does the only perfect Holy Spirit in the universe love? How can you know if he doesn't tel you? Can you surmise it, figure it out, assume it from your own experience, or chart out how it would be from your own heart? John Calvin said:
It is plain that no man can arrive at the true knowledge of himself, without having first contemplated the divine character, and then descended to the consideration of his own. For, such is the native pride of us all, we invariably esteem ourselves righteous, innocent, wise and holy, till we are convinced by clear proofs, of our unrighteousness, turpitude, folly and impurity. But we are never thus convinced, while we confine our attention to ourselves, and regard not the Lord, who is the only standard by which this judgment ought to be formed.
Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, "What is the Gospel?" p. 36-27
(John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeil, 1.1.35)
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