February 12

"God is a Spirit." — John 4:21.

HE IS AN INCORPOREAL BEING. All corporeal beings consist of parts, and so are capable of separation, addition, or diminution; but this would be inconsistent with the perfection of the Almighty, or the nature of spirits, which do not consist of perishable materials. When bodily members are ascribed to God, they are not to be taken literally, but according to their true scope and intent, which is in a clearer form to set forth and illustrate the various acts and perfections of the Divine nature, to which these members of the body bear some faint resemblance. Thus, the eyes and ears of God signify his omniscience; his hands and arms denote his power; and his face, the manifestation of his favor. We must not conceive of God as having a body, or any corporeal members, as some have done, who only ground their opinion on the literal interpretation of many figurative expressions in Scripture. Our conduct would evince the basest ingratitude to God, if, because he is pleased to stoop to our weakness, we degrade him to our infirmities.

HE IS AN INVISIBLE BEING. The proper object of sight is color, which arises from the various positions of particles of matter, that cause the several reflections of light; but a spirit has neither parts nor matter, and consequently must be invisible. The Almighty can by his infinite power make visible appearances, as he did of old; but these were not visions of his essence, they were merely outward representations, which he formed to notify his presence for special purposes; but as to his own exalted nature, he is the invisible God.

HE IS AN IMMORTAL BEING. A spiritual nature neither has, nor can have in it, any principles of corruption, or tendency to decay. The very idea of a spirit conveys to the mind something imperishable, and not affected by material substances. This eminently applies to God, who is unchangeable in his nature, whose years cannot fail, and who alone is possessed of original and independent immortality. How affecting is it to think of the millions of the human race who are destitute of that revelation which discovers to man the knowledge of God, and unfolds to his view the glories of immortality! Let us pray that the light of truth may speedily dissipate the darkness of error. If God is a Spirit, then he requires spiritual worship, and we should seek above all things to be spiritually acquainted with him, — to have his fear before our eyes, his grace in our hearts, his image on our souls.