This is our first week exploring the question “what is God like?”. We will look at 24 separate characteristics of God and His nature. Here are the 6 attributes we studied August 25th.
What is God Like?
If there is a higher source of information about God than God himself, then He would not be God.
Characteristics of God:
- God Exists
Scripture assumes God’s existence. Genesis declares Him as the creator.
Romans 1:19 says that even people who aren’t believers know that He exists. Romans 1:25
Human beings are the greatest proof because we are created in His image.
2. God is Knowable
We can know God personally – not just know about Him. We do get to know Him better by understanding His characteristics, but He is infinite and we are finite. That difference prevents us from fully understanding who He fully is.
Psalm 145:3, 147:5, 139:6,17-18; Jeremiah 9:24, 1 John 4:8, 1:5, Isaiah 43:7
3. God is Independent
The truth is, God doesn’t need us. We were not created to “complete” God – like in Jerry Maguire. Acts 17:24-25
God always was – He wasn’t created – Psalm 90:2, Romans 11:36
God is completely ok without us, but He chooses to give us significance and value. All of His creation glorifies Him and brings Him joy. Isaiah 43:7
4. God is Unchangeable
God is unchangeable in His being, attributes, purposes, and promises.
Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6
His purposes are going to be done once He determines to do them – Psalm 33:11, Matthew 25:34, Ephesians 1:4,11
Numbers 23:19 – God is not us – He fulfills ALL of His promises
There are times in scripture where God changes His intentions toward a person or group of people – but this doesn’t contradict His unchangeableness. He doesn’t change who He is, but He allows us to repent and change our ways so His intentions toward us change. Jonah 3:4, Exodus 32:9-14, Isaiah 38:1-6
5. God is Eternal
God has no beginning and no end. That is impossible for us to fully understand, but it is affirmed in scripture – Psalm 90:2, Ephesians 1:4, Revelation 1:8, Jude 25.
Because He doesn’t have a beginning and end, His view of time is very different from mine. He sees our past, present, and future equally as vivid. He doesn’t struggle to see my past or my future, while He’s right with me in the present.
6. God is Omnipresent
Just like time doesn’t define God, neither does space. He isn’t too big or too small for something. He created material space, so He can’t be limited by it. Genesis 1:1,
His presence fills everything – Jeremiah 23:23-24
He’s everywhere – Psalm 139:7-10
He is present to accomplish different things in different places – Psalm 16:11, Amos 9:1-4
He holds the universe together – Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3
More to come…
ghbcyoungadults 