Who or what is God?

No one can fully understand who or what God is. Job's friend said, "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?" (Job 11:7-8). Isaiah 55:9 records God speaking: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Even so, God has revealed much about Himself through the Bible (as well as in other ways). Though we may only obtain a dim understanding, we are called to earnestly seek the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 11:6).

The Bible begins by acknowledging God as the Creator of all things: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Jesus, the Son of God and second Person of the Triune Godhead, was also intimately involved in the creation of the universe: "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Genesis 1:2 also notes the role of the Holy Spirit in creation.

God is the sustainer of all life. Colossians 1:16-17 states about Jesus: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

God is personally involved with humanity. Isaiah 46:9-10 teaches, "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

God is love (1 John 4:8). His perfect love is expressed through Jesus, in His humility and serving (Philippians 2:1-11) and particularly through His laying down His life as payment for our sins (John 15:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). God can make love complete (1 Corinthians 13). Love cannot truly exist apart from God.

God is Triune. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), He exists in three Persons, teaching His disciples to baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). There is both perfect unity and community within God Himself.

God is perfect in wisdom. He created all things, so He exists in the unique position of knowing everything that exists. There is nothing beyond His understanding. Psalm 147:5 teaches, "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."

God is omnipresent. This means He exists everywhere at all times. Proverbs 15:3 notes, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." Psalm 139:7-10 adds, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

No human mind can fully comprehend "what" God is, yet what has been revealed provides an overwhelming knowledge of our Creator that rightfully leads to worship, love, and service to the one, true God.



Related Truth:

Does God exist?

The attributes of God, what are they?

What is the Trinity?

What does God look like?

Why does God require faith?


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Truth about God


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