The Attributes of God

The Bible does not seek to prove God exists. Rather, it assumes his existence and describes numerous attributes that characterize Him. Some of these attributes are unique to Him as God; others we see inhuman beings, as a result of their being created in the image of God.

Unique Attributes of God:

[1] God is omnipresent - i.e., He is present everywhere at the same time. The psalmist states that no matter where we go, God is there (Ps. 139:7-12; cf. Jer.23:23-24; Acts 17:27-28); He observes everything that we do.

[2] God is omniscient - i.e., He knows everything (Ps. 139:1-6; 147:5). He knows not only our actions, but also our very thoughts (1 Sam. 16:7; Ki 8:39; Ps 44:21; Jer.17:9-10). When the Bible speaks about God's foreknowledge (Is 42:9; Acts 2:23; 1Pet. 1:2), it means that He knows all things possible as possible, all things certain as certain, all things contingent as contingent, all things future as future, all things past as past, all things foreordained as predestined certainties (cf. 1 Sam 23:10-13; Jer. 38:17-20). God remains free to make decisions and alter his purposes in time and History, according to His own will and wisdom. In other words, God is not a prisoner of His own foreknowledge (Num. 14:11-20; 2 Ki. 20:1-7)

[3] God is omnipotent - i.e.. He is all powerful and has ultimate authority over all things and all creatures (Ps 147:13-18; Jer. 32:17; Mat. 19:26; Luke 1:37). This does not mean, however, that God uses His power and authority at all times; for example, God has the power to destroy all sin, but he has chosen not to do so until the end of history (John 5:19). In many cases, God limits His power, channeling it through His people (2 Cor. 12:7-10); in these cases, His power is dependent on our degree of availability and submission to Him (Eph. 3:20)

[4] God is Transcendent - i.e., He is different and independent from His creation (Ex. 24:9-18; Is 6:1-3; 40:12-26; 55:8-9). His being and existence are infinitely greater and higher than the created order (1 Ki 8:27; Is 66:1-2; Acts 17:24-25). He dwells in perfect and pure existence apart from creation (1 Tim. 6:16). Transcendence does not entail, however, that God is incapable of dwelling among His people as their God (Lev 26:11-12; Ezek. 37:27; 43:7; 2 Cor. 6:16). 

[5] God is eternal - i.e., He is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:1-2; 102:12; Is. 57:15). There was never a time either in past or future, when God did not, or will not exist. He is not bound by human time (Ps. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:80 and is, therefore, best described as "I am" (Ex. 3:14; John 8:58).

[6] God is unchangeable- i.e., there is no change in the attributes of God, in his perfections, or in His purpose for humankind (Num. 23:19; Ps. 102:26-28; Is 41:4; Mal 3:6; Heb. 1:11-12 Jas. 1:170; This does not mean, however, that God never alters His temporary purposes in response to the actions of humans. He may, for example, alter his intentions or judgment because of sincere repentance of sinners (Jonah 3:6-10). Furthermore, He remains free to respond to the needs of human beings and to the prayers of His people. The scriptures often speak about God changing His mind as a result of the diligent prayers of the righteous. (Num 14:1-20; Ki. 2-:2-6; Is. 38:2-8; Luke 18:1-8).

[7] God is perfect and holy - i.e., He is completely without sin and absolutely righteous (Lev. 11:44-45; Ps. 85:13; 145:17; Mat. 5:48). Adam and Eve were created without sin (Gen 1:31), but with the capability of sinning. God, on the other hand, cannot sin (Num. 23:19; 2 Tim 2:13; Tit. 1:2; Heb 6:18). His holiness also includes His dedication to carrying out his purpose and plan.

[8] God is triune - i.e., He is one God (Deut. 6:4; Is 45:21; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim 2:5) who has manifested himself in three Divine persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19; 2 Cr 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2). Each person is fully divine, equal with the other two; yet they are not three Gods, but one (Mat 3:17; Mark 1:11)

Moral Attributes of God:

Many characteristics of the one true God, particularly His moral attributes, bear similarity to human qualities; however, His attributes all exist to a degree incomparably greater than they do in us. For example, even though both God and humans have the ability to love, no human is able to love to the degree and intensity that God does. Moreover, it must be stressed that our ability to exercise these characteristics is related to our being created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-27). In other words, we are like Him, He is not like us.

[1] God is good (Ps. 25:8; 106:1; mark 10:18). All that God originally created was good, an extension of His own nature (Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). He continues to be good to His creation by sustaining it on behalf of all of His creatures (Ps. 104:10-28; 145:9); He even provides for the ungodly (Mat. 5:45; Acts 14:17). God is especially good to His people who call upon Him in TRUTH (Ps. 145:18-20).

[2] God is love - (1 John 4:8). His love is a selfless love that embraces the entire world of sinful humankind (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). The chief expression of that love was His sending of His only Son Jesus to die for sinners (1 John 4:9-10). In addition, God has a special family love for those who through Jesus are reconciled to Him (John 16:27).

[3] God is merciful and gracious (ex. 34:6; 2 Chr. 30:9; Ps. 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13). He does not cut off and destroy humanity as are sins deserve (Ps. 103:10), but offers forgiveness as a free gift to be received through faith in Jesus Christ (Ps. 103:11-12; Rom 6:23; 1 Cor. 1:3-4; Eph 2:8-9; Tit. 2:11; 3:4-5)

[4] God is compassionate (2 Ki. 13:23; Ps. 86:15; 112:4). To be compassionate means to feel sorrow for someone else's suffering with a desire to help. Out of His compassion for humanity, God provided forgiveness and salvation (Ps. 78:38). Likewise, Jesus the Son of God manifested compassion for the multitudes when He preached the gospel to the poor, proclaimed release to the captives and recover of sight to the blind, and set free the downtrodden (like 4:18; Mat. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41)

[5} God is patient and longsuffering (Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Rom 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:16) God first expressed this characteristic in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve's sin, when He did not destroy the human race as He had a right to do (Gen. 2:16-17). God was also patient in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built (1 pet 3:20). And God is still longsuffering with the sinful human race; He does not presently judge so as to destroy the world because He is patiently giving everyone the opportunity to repent and be saved (2 Pet. 3:9).

[6] God is truth (Ex. 34:6; Deut. 32:4; Ps 31:5; Is. 65:16). Jesus called himself "the truth" (John 14:6), and the spirit is known as the "Spirit of truth" (John 14:17; 1 John 5:6). Since God is entirely trustworthy and true in all He says and does, His word is also described as truth (2 Sam. 7:28; Ps. 119:43; Is. 45:19; John 17:17). In keeping with this fact, The Bible makes it plain that God does not tolerate lies or falsehood of any kind (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18)

[7] God is faithful (Deut. 7:9; Is. 49:7; Lam 3:23; Heb. 10:23). God will do what He has revealed in His word, carrying out both His promises and His warnings (Num 14:32-35; 2 Sam. 7:28; Job 34:12; Acts 13:23, 32-33; 2 Tim 2:13). God's faithfulness should bring unspeakable comfort to believers and great fear of His judgment to all who do not repent and believe in the Lord Jesus (Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-31).

[8] Finally God is just (Deut. 32:4; Is. 45:21; 1 John 1:90; to be just means that God upholds the moral order of the universe, and is righteous and without sin in the manner in which he treats humankind (Neh. 9:33; Dan 9:14). God's determination to punish sinners with death proceeds from His justice (Rom. 6:23; Gen. 2:16-17); He is angry at sin because of His love for righteousness (Rom. 3:5-6; Judge 10:7). He reveals His wrath against every form of wickedness (Rom. 1:18), especially, idolatry (1 Ki. 14:9, 15, 22), unbelief, (Ps. 78:21-22; John 3:36) and unjust treatment of other people (Is. 10:1-4; Amos 2:6-7) Jesus Christ, who is called "the just one" (Acts 7:52; 22:14; Acts 3:14), also loves righteousness and hates evil. Note that God's justice is not opposed to His love. On the contrary, it was to satisfy His justice that He sent Jesus into the world as His gift of love and as His sacrifice for sin on our behalf, in order to reconcile us to Himself. 

God's final revelation of Himself is in Jesus Christ. In other words, if we want to understand completely the personhood of God, we must look at Christ, for in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells (Col 2:9)