What is God like?

God has revealed what He is like through nature and His inspired Word, the Bible. Understanding what God is like is essential for having a personal relationship with Him.

what does the bible say?

Throughout history, cultures have proposed a wide range of ideas regarding what God is like. Many tribal religions have worshiped an array of gods (polytheism). Others have taught that God is a part of everything in the universe (pantheism). Still others have suggested that God cannot be known by humanity (agnosticism), such as the Greeks who worshiped an unknown God (Acts 17:23). While many have attempted to explain God, it is best to let God speak for Himself (1 Corinthians 2:11). God has given us clues about Him in the way He designed nature (Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1). God has revealed Himself through the writings He personally inspired: the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God desires to be known (Psalm 46:10). God’s word reveals some of His most notable attributes including His love, mercy, patience and kindness, in addition to His righteousness, holiness, justice, and wrath. Assuredly, our God is an awesome God, and words are insufficient to explain Him fully. “ Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to underst and His decisions and His ways! ” (Romans 11:33)

from the old testament

God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 24:1-2).
God is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 90:2).
God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:26-27).
God is one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:6, Psalm 95:3).
God is sovereign (Job 9:12, Psalm 68:20, Jeremiah 23:20).
God is truthful and trustworthy (Psalm 117:2, 1 Samuel 15:29).
God is just and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30, 111:7)
God is omnipotent (Job 42:2; Isaiah 43:13), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12), and omniscient (Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 147:5).
God is good (Psalm 116:5).
God is jealous for us (Deuteronomy 4:24).
God is merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31).
God is our helper and refuge (Psalm 54:4, 62:8, 94:22).

from the new testament

God is spirit (John 4:24).
God is love and light (1 John 1:5, 4:8).
God is holy (1 Peter 1:15).
God is eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)
God is patient, kind and good (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4, Mark 10:18, James 1:17).
God is our Savior (John 4:42, Titus 3:4-5, Jude 1:25).
God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13, 2 Timothy 2:13).
God is a devouring fire and righteous judge (Hebrews 12:29, 2 Timothy 4:1).

implications for today

History has shown that human beings want to shape a god according to their own preferences. However, the very first verse of the Bible makes it clear that a single creator God exists: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). That creation is the most public way in which God speaks to us (Psalm 19:1). God made humans in His own image and likeness and desires a personal relationship with each of us (Genesis 1:26-27). God actively sustains and rules over the world He created (Psalm 135:5-7, Colossians 1:15-17). God is who He says He is, and He has explained Himself sufficiently in the Bible. As we read through the Bible, we see that humanity sinned and rebelled against God (Romans 3:23). The good news is that God loves you and because of His love, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth on a rescue mission to save you from your sin (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10). “ For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life ” (John 3:16 NLT). Those who believe in Jesus for everlasting life are born again to a new life and become children of God (John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus calls believers to follow Him as His disciples, denying themselves and living lives of service to Him for the remainder of our time on earth (1 Peter 4:1-2, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1-2). As we live in fellowship with God and walk in the light through the Holy Spirit, we will truly discover what God is like and begin to take on His character as the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16, Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 1:7).

Recap

understand

God created everything, sustains all life, and rules over creation.
God’s character includes absolute holiness, justice, and righteousness as well as mercy, grace, and love.
God desires an intimate relationship with us and sent His Son to offer us eternal life and redemption from sin.

reflect

How does understanding God’s character and what He is like impact your relationship with Him?
Which character traits of what God is like has most shaped your life and understanding of Him?
How might understanding God’s desire for a personal relationship influence the way you seek Him each day?

engage

How can we help one another keep a holistic, biblical view of God’s character?
How do we sometimes create our own image of God rather than understanding Him as He reveals Himself in Scripture?
What are some practical ways we can encourage each other to experience a deeper relationship with God?