WHO IS GOD?
The God Worth Seeking
Happy New Year! Of course, many of you have made New Year's resolutions. Others have gotten so tired of making them and breaking them that they stopped altogether. Some have resolved to not resolve anything. A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. I heard one guy say, "I was going to quit all my bad habits for the new year, but then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter."
Well, a new year, 2017. Time changes, but will we? That is up to us. Remain the same or change? This year let's make a resolution together, the best resolution we can make - to seek to know God better. To know Him more. Let's start off together getting a quick overview of all that He is. They are many views of who God is, but we will look at how He has truly revealed Himself in His Word. So, hold on, this will be the quickest theology course you've ever been in. But we don't study God as much as we get to know Him experientially. These descriptions are not comprehensive by any means.
God is …
1. Self-existent – He exists within Himself. He doesn't need anything.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Scripture’s first words begins with the highest epistemology is that God IS - period. Everything begins with Him. God does not depend on anything nor anyone to exist. He never has, nor never will need anything. He lacks nothing. He is sufficient in Himself. He lives outside of creation and time.
God said to Moses, “I am that I am.” Exodus 3:14
2. Eternal –Infinite in existence. He is without end. Everlasting. He always was and He will always be. Immortal and Indestructible. Transcendent of all time.
Even before the mountains came into existence, or You brought the world into being, You were the eternal God. Psalm 90:2
Another version says, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
3. Immutable – Never changing.
“Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises (I do not change). Malachi 3:6
He will alway be who He is. God is unchangeable in His essence, character, attributes and Purpose.
4. Infinite – God is without limit in all that He is.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how fathomless His ways! Romans 11:33.
God is unlimited in time, space, power, presence, knowledge, essence, love, grace, goodness and moral perfection. He is without measure. Limitless. God cannot become more.
5. Necessary – Philosophically, He is The Necessary Being. He is the Uncaused Cause. He creates and sustains. All that is, is because He is.
All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:3
For all to exist it is necessary that He exists.
He Himself is before all things and all things are held together in Him. Colossians 1:17
6. Omnipotent – God is all powerful. The All Mighty One. He can do all things. Nothing rational is impossible for Him. He cannot be constrained or restrained. He is the source of all power, physical and spiritual.
‘Oh, Lord God, You did indeed make heaven and earth by Your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for You! Jeremiah 32:17
7. Omniscient – All-knowing. God perfectly knows all things and all things possible. He has never had to learn.
And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account. Hebrews 4:13
8. Omnipresent – All present, everywhere, all the time.
God does not really live on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this temple I have built! 1 Kings 8:27
9. Sovereign – He rules over all. He is in complete control of all. Having absolute authority over all. He is the Supreme One. God presides over every event, great or small, and He is in control of our lives.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Romans 11:36
Our God is in heaven! He does whatever He pleases! Psalm 115:3
10. Transcendent – He transcends all creation. He exceeds us in every aspect. Psalm 145 tells us His greatness no one can fathom.
8 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. Isaiah 55:8–9
He is far beyond us in nature. Incomparable. Incomprehensible.
7 “Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? 8 It is higher than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job 11:7–9
On the other hand, God is …
11. Imminent - He is near. We can know Him and have a relationship with Him. The most intimate relationship possible.
27 … so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move about and exist, Acts 17:27–28
12. Invisible – God is beyond human ability to see. He is Spirit, a higher form of existence. The technical term is incorporeal - meaning to be without the limitation of physical matter.
Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17
He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15
13. True – Reality. Accurate in all that He does. No error, deception or falsehood about Him. No exceptions.
The one who has accepted His testimony has confirmed clearly that God is truthful. John 3:33
He is wholly reliable to what He is and says.
… it is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18
14. Holy – The separateness and distinctiveness of God. He is set apart and set above from all others, in His nature and character. His absolute purity. Untainted and thus fully glorious.
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you?—majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11
He is that which fascinates as well as terrifies every creature. Eternally incorruptible. Morally transcendent.
Each one of the four living creatures … They never rest day or night, saying: “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come!” Revelation 4:8
The only attribute and description of God that is repeated three times. Twice means “very”. Thrice, the most passionate form, is rarely done.
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name, because You alone are holy? All nations will come and worship before You.” Revelation 15:4
15. Faithful – He is consistent and true to His character and His word. He is the most reliable. He is truly trustworthy.
The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; His compassions never end. 23 They are fresh every morning; Your faithfulness is abundant! Lamentations 3:22–23
Now, in light of all this - God is a God of ...
16. Love – It is the manifested unconditional, unselfish and sacrificial concern of God, in emotion, volition and action for the benevolence of others.
By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent His one and only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. 1 John 4:9
God is the definition of all that is love. He is the source of all genuine love. There is eternal love between the Father, Son and Spirit.
17. Jealous – The word gets mixed up with it being associated negatively with humanity. It relates to being “very watchful or careful in guarding or keeping,” God is passionately committed to that which rightly belong to Him. Implies exclusivity of relationship. A parent not allowing children to be harmed, kidnapped. A mate protecting their marriage.
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, Exodus 20:5
He doesn’t want other gods stealing or harming His creation. He is also passionate about His name and character being defamed.
18. Just – This means He makes right judgments regarding good and evil. He is fair and impartial.
Equity and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize Your rule. Psalm 89:14
19. Good – To be morally excellent. God is good in His nature and all that He does in good. He is the final standard of all that is good. His goodness is the benevolence of His actions.
Jesus said to him, “… No one is good except God alone.” Luke 18:19
And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 33:19
20. Patient – God is longsuffering. He endures us.
The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
21. Merciful – Not giving to us what we deserve. Offering forgiveness for the transgression of relationship. To remove suffering. It is the tangible expression of compassion. God's actions of pity and lovingkindness.
He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of His mercy, Titus 3:5
22. Righteous – He does the right thing, the best thing, in everything, every time. He has moral perfection. The highest of virtue. Another word for just. The moral standard by which God requires. Uprightness.
You are righteous, LORD, and Your laws are right. Psalm 119:137
As for the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, He is fair and upright. Deuteronomy 32:4
23. Beautiful – That which is highly desirable. Lovely, attractive and captivating. We marvel at all that He reveals of Himself. Full of allure and splendor. The source of ultimate pleasure. Glamorous and appealing.
I have asked the Lord for one thing— this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor (beauty) of the Lord and contemplate in His temple. Psalm 27:4
From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God comes in splendor. Psalm 50:2
24. Wise – He always chooses the highest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time, and the most excellent means to accomplish that purpose.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to His wisdom. Isaiah 40:28
He knows what is best for all concerned. He devices perfect means to achieve perfect ends.
25. Wrathful – AW Pink, “His eternal detestation of all unrighteousness. It is the displeasure and indignation of Divine equity against evil.” It is the right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, Romans 1:18
26. Gracious – God's unmerited favor, goodness, and blessings manifested toward the undeserving.
But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, Psalm 86:15
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8
27. Angry – ‘stirring of resentful displeasure and strong antagonism, by a sense of injury or insult’ - Robert L. Deffinbaugh.
When the people complained, it displeased the Lord. When the Lord heard it, His anger burned, and so the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outer parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1
He is not capricious in His anger, as we can be. It is a rightful action against evil.
28. Creator - The One who made everything out of nothing. The ultimate designer and maker. All matter, space and time were spoken into existence by Him.
For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16
29. Perfect - Meaning, He is of the highest excellence. He is completely ideal beyond practical or theoretical improvement. Entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings.
As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless. Psalm 18:30
He is complete within Himself. Any of His attributes cannot be to a greater degree. This is cool - He cannot be improved upon.
30. Compassionate – His action of love in the face of suffering. To show genuine pity and heartfelt concern.
For this is what the High and Exalted One says, the One who rules forever, whose name is holy: “I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged. Isaiah 57:15
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on His faithful followers. 14 For He knows what we are made of; He realizes we are made of clay. Psalm 103:13–14
31. Kind – Kindness is a mixture of other attributes, as are many others. Overall graciousness, gentleness, tenderness, goodness, love.
Or do you have contempt for the wealth of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
32. Majestic – Greatness, the highest of dignity, Kingly. The pride of all. Highly exalted. Highest of rank and character. It is the greatness that calls forth praise and wonder.
O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is Your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal Your majesty in the heavens above! Psalm 8:1
The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty, the Lord is robed, He wears strength around His waist. Indeed, the world is established, it cannot be moved. Psalm 93:1
He is that which is worthy of the highest of honor.
33. Provident – He is the One who provides for the needs of everyone and everything.
15 Everything looks to You in anticipation, and You provide them with food on a regular basis. 16 You open Your hand, and fill every living thing with the food they desire. Psalm 145:15–16
34. Judge - The One who decides, distinguishes and separates. He makes the final decision, choice and pronouncement of that which is right and wrong, good and evil, worthy and worthless. He is the one to whom all must give account. He rewards good and punishes evil.
11 Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. Revelation 20:11–12
35. Peace – One who is at harmony, wholeness, contented, serene, undisturbed, completed and sound. Shalom.
Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, Hebrews 13:20
The One who frees us from distress and strife, who gives tranquility.
36. Gentle – Restraining power for ease and soothing. Considerate. To act in care and tenderness.
A crushed reed He will not break, a dim wick He will not extinguish. Isaiah 42:3
Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
37. Joyful – Not only is He the source of joy but He is joy. Happiness. Delighted. One who rejoices over His creation.
For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
38. Forgiving – To no longer require payment. To release from penalty and indebtedness.
Yet the Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him. Daniel 9:9
39. Hatred – The disapproving attitude and displeasure of God towards unrighteousness and injustice. His rightful abhorrence and justified disdain of evil.
Certainly You are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with You. 5 Arrogant people cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who behave wickedly. Psalm 5:4–5
The Lord approves of the godly, but He hates the wicked and those who love to do violence. Psalm 11:5
40. Glorious – This is one very difficult to define. The word glory means weightiness, brightness. It refers to His awesomeness. Glory is the presented summation of all His attributes. The overwhelming manifested beauty of His infinite greatness, splendor and worth.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays His handiwork. Psalm 19:1
It is all His qualities displayed in a visible or knowable manner. His radiance and brilliance.
18 And Moses said, “Show me your glory.” 19 And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you; … “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” Exodus 33:18–20
The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple. 2 Chronicles 5:14
I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east; the sound was like that of rushing water; and the earth radiated His glory. Ezekiel 43:2
This is the God I want to know.
3 And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. … 5 From the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring and crashes of thunder. … 8 Each one of the four living creatures … They never rest day or night, saying: “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns before His throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created!” Revelation 4:3–11
Make a commitment this year to know Him and to make Him known. Dedicate yourself to seeking Him and all that He is.
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