Who is God?

A colleague approached me today explaining that she had an exciting debate last night with friends on the topic, “Who is God…” A discussion around trying to identify who is God.

We spoke a little on it, but because I was running off to a meeting, I promised her that I would do some biblical research and provide her with answers in scripture. I also thought to share it here on this site and look forward to your feedback on this topic.

This of course is a highly debated topic over the centuries and one that I feel will have a different response based on your faith, maturity level in Christ and your current situation and understanding.

We all need to understand and appreciate that none of us could ever fully understand who God is but through reading his scripture, prayer, fasting and worship we can increase in our knowledge of who HE is.

We can only truly try to describe who God is through HIS attributes or inherent characteristics. So what does the bible say about who is God?

God is Creator

Above all, God is the creator and sustainer of all things. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭

Not only has God given life to all things but HE also sustains us. “This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:5‬

God is Holy

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”” Revelation‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

The holiness of God is the portrayal of his moral excellence. Holiness means morally perfect, pure and set apart from all sin. HE is high and lifted up!

God is Unchanging and Eternal

We first understood that HE was an unchanging God when “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.” Genesis‬ ‭21:33‬

Later, God reminded Moses of his covenant promise to both Abraham and Jacob when “God said to Moses, “ I am who I am…” Exodus‬ ‭3:14‬ to show his unchanging nature. But no other verse I feel clearly demonstrates it more than Revelation 1:8 ““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.””

God is love

And the greatest of these is love… Stop and really think… God didn’t need to create this universe, but HE chose to do it all because of HIS abounding love. There are so many different references in the bible where God shows HIS great love for us by HIS grace and mercy and ultimate sacrifice of HIS son, Jesus Christ.


God is Powerful

We serve a God that is not confined to just one space, one moment in time and one understanding. “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Proverbs‬ ‭15:3‬

God is just awesome! God is spirit, all-powerful, all-knowing and is everywhere! “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans‬ ‭1:20‬

The bible also tells us that “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:15‬

God is Righteous

God is faithful, righteous and just. The righteousness of God refers to the moral laws he has provided to us like the Ten Commandments and his pursuit of justice. “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.” Psalm‬ ‭36:5-6‬

His faithfulness reaches to the skies, HIS righteousness is as solid as mighty mountains and HIS judgements are as full of wisdom as the great oceans.

God is Truth

Our God of justice is truth. “Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.” Isaiah‬ ‭65:16‬

And even more powerful, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:6

HIS Son who was the image of God was pure truth.

God is good and generous

God promises great blessings to those who seek and fear HIM. HE shows us goodness “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm‬ ‭34:8‬

HE is ever so generous “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? … So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ …But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6:26, 31, 33‬ ‭

God is wisdom

We cannot even begin to understand the vast wisdom of God. ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ 

We see HIS wisdom daily in creation and the fulfillment of our lives. “to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭16:27‬ ‭

The bible also states, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”” Romans‬ ‭11:33-34‬ ‭

God is merciful and forgiving

David’s prayer in Psalm 86 beautifully extols the merciful and forgiving characteristics of our God in which I have highlighted just two verses: “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you…But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm‬ ‭86:5, 15 ‭

Reflection

Thought: Who is God to you? Explore that question this week and seek answers in HIS scripture, through prayer, fasting and worship.

Prayer: Abba Father, you are called by many names. Your glory and power is everlasting. Praise be to your holy name. May we draw ever nearer to you that when questioned of our faith and beliefs, we are well prepared to answer. In Jesus name. Amen