God

<<the Supreme Being>>

In Scripture God is revealed as self-existent, the creator of the universe, the source of life and blessing, with His self-description being, “I am…There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and Saviour; there is none but me” (Ex 3:14; Isa 45:5,21).  The Bible never argues for God’s existence – it simply states – “In the beginning God…from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Gen 1:1; Ps 90:2).

the supreme Being His requirement to be worshipped, obeyed, served and loved by all people is summed up in the statement, “Love [and obey] the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5, 30:16; Mk 12:30).  

His amazing attributes include being omnipresent – the incomprehensible ability to be present everywhere, free of the limits of space or time (Ps 139:7-13; Jer 23:24); omniscient by being all-knowing of the past, present and future, the actual and the potential (Ps 44:21, 139:1-6; Heb 4:13; 1 Jn 3:20);  while omnipotence indicates being all-powerful to do whatever His wisdom may see fit and His will determines, including the sovereign right to rule (Ps 115:3; Jer 32:27; Rom 9:19; 1 Tim 6:15). The Lord is patient, loving and forgiving, impartial and won’t take bribes (Num 14:18; 2 Chr 19:7). He won’t tolerate idols, competition for our loyalty or share the credit for what He accomplishes through us (Ex 20:3,4; Deut 8:18; Isa 42:8, 48:11). He is kind to all, not desiring that any perish in hell, yet His judgments are fair and true and He must remain true to the right to punish sin (Deut 32:4; Ezek 18:4,20; Mt 5:45, 18:14; 2 Pet 3:9; Jud 1:15; Rev 19:2). God is totally just, judging all sin, but also consistent by showing mercy when people repent (Ex 32:14, 34:6,7; Num 23:19; Ps 106:45; Jnh 3:7-10). Instead of bringing judgement, He extends forgiveness (Jer 18:8; 1 Jn 1:9). He does not change His mind, but may alter the course of events, as He works out everything in conformity to the purposes of His will (Ex 32:9-14; 1 Sam 15:29; Isa 38:1-6; Amos 7:1-6; Eph 1:11). His eternal purposes stand for all time (Eph 3:11).   

Although one in essence and nature the Godhead is three distinct persons, designated as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with each having a different role, yet working together in total harmony to accomplish the same divine objectives (Deut 6:4; 1 Tim 2:5). Our salvation is based on the Father's power and love (Jn 3:16, 10:29), the Son's death and resurrection (Jn 11:25; Rom 5:8, 8:34), and the Spirit's regeneration and seal (Eph 4:30; Tit 3:5). They are always referred to in scripture in the male gender with Jesus subservient to the Father (Jn 6:38,14:28), and the Holy Spirit submissive to both the Father and Jesus (Jn 14:16,26, 16:7). Although the word Trinity, meaning God existing in three Persons, does not appear in the Bible there are various places where each is mentioned in the same verse (Mt 3:16,17, 28:19; Act 10:38; 2 Cor 13:14).

Rom 14:10-12; Heb 4:13). We are to walk humbly with God, who we approach through Jesus Christ our Saviour, understanding an intimate relationship only comes by consistently spending time in His presence and allowing the Scriptures to change us (Ps 119:9; Mic 6:8; Jn 14:6, 15:3; Eph 5:26; Jas 4:8).

Variant forms of His name are used in the original language of the Bible (Hebrew) revealing different aspects of His nature and relationship to humanity and all creation. These include Elohim (translated as God), El Shaddai (translated as God Almighty), Yahweh (translated Jehovah or Lord), and Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide). It is important God’s name is used respectfully in praise, worship and prayer – for example “Our Father, Holy is your name...” – and not irreverently in jest, anger or profanity such as the exclamation ‘O my God’ (Ex 20:7; Mt 6:9-13).

“God is Spirit”, being invisible to our natural senses, so it is wrong to attempt to create something that could represent Him. We are to worship Him as spirit and truthfully – praising Him by engaging our whole heart and with a biblical understanding (Ex 20:4, Jn 4:23,24; 1Tim 1:17, 6:16).

Because “God is love” He acted with grace and mercy, initiating the plan of salvation whereby all who repent become children of God. While He loves all people intensely and wants all to be saved, those that do not turn to Him for salvation will be lost (Jn 1:12, 3:16,17, 5:24; Rom 3:23; Act 17:30; 1 Jn 3:1, 4:8).

God chooses to be involved in our lives wanting mankind to be with Him for all eternity as revealed by the fact that Christ died in our place on the cross and through the Holy Spirit resides in each believer (Mk 10:45; Jn 14:16,17,23; Rom 5:6-8, 8:11; 1 Cor 6:19). The appropriation of that provision must be through individual repentance of sin, accepting of salvation and a lifestyle that confirms the change of allegiance – from Satan’s rule to God’s, then as a partner with Him to bring salvation to others (Rom 6:1-14).

is incompatible with His nature as revealed in the Bible (Job 42:2; Lk 1:37).  He states various things will happen, yet many require us to fulfill our human responsibility by co-operating with Him, “The Lord worked with them” (Mk 16:20). God works in us and is wanting to carrying out His enterprise through us as obedient channels of His grace (Eph 3:20; Phil 2:13; Col 1:29; Heb 13:20,21). During His earthly ministry it is recorded, “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power…” and miraculous things took place (Lk 4:18,19; Act 10:38). As His followers we can operate under that same mantle “to overcome all the power of the enemy” for “The people that know God will be strong and do great things” (Dan 11:32; Lk 10:19; Jn 14:12).

(Gen 18:25; Ps 18:2, 62:7). As we face the uncertainty of a changing future, remember who holds our future in His hands. He states, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit...those that praise me”, with the Bible saying, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (Ps 22:3; Isa 57:15; Mt 5:8).

Humanity was created in His image, having reasoning and thinking abilities, practical wisdom, emotions and a sense of justice (Gen 1:26, 2:7; Jn 4:24). In every heart there is a longing for God, yet many try to satisfy this inner desire through the devil’s counterfeits of pleasure and possessions (Eccl 3:11; Rom 1:18-32).

Acts of God is the term given to major natural calamities (disasters) such as floods, earthquakes and disasters that are the result of living in a world adversely affected by the blight of sin.

See also: characteristics, creator, existence of God, Father, God's voice, God’s will, hearing God's voice, Holy Spirit, I am, immutable, Jesus Christ, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, sovereignty of God, supremacy of Christ, Trinity.