Theology Thursday - Natural Attributes of God

Theology Thursday: Behold Your God!

Theme: Knowing God More Deeply Main Verse: Psalm 145:3 — “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”

1. The Self-Existence of God (Aseity)

Definition: God exists by Himself and owes His existence to no one. Primary Verse: Exodus 3:14 “14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Cross-References: 

John 5:26 “26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

Colossians 1:17 “17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Psalm 90:2 “2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Baptist Quote: John Gill — “God is the first of beings, the cause of causes, the author of all things, and depends on none.”

Reflection: The self-existence of God means He is the uncaused cause. Everything in creation is dependent—dependent on air, time, energy, or something else for survival and function. But God exists outside that chain of dependence. He does not borrow life or need sustenance. He is the “I AM”—the ever-present, ever-living One whose being is necessary and eternal. That distinguishes God from every other being in existence. He is the source of life, not a participant in it.

This doctrine reveals the absolute independence of God. He doesn’t change to meet expectations or rely on others to validate His authority. He exists in glorious, sovereign solitude. As believers, this attribute should lead us to deeper humility. If God is self-existent, then we must recognize our complete reliance on Him for all things. Faith is not just trusting in God’s ability to act—it’s depending on His inherent existence as the source of all life.

2. The Omniscience of God

Definition: God knows all things, perfectly and eternally. Primary Verse: Hebrews 4:13 “13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Cross-References: 

Psalm 147:5 “5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.”

Isaiah 46:10 “10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure:”

1 John 3:20 “20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

Baptist Quote: Charles Spurgeon — “God’s knowledge is like Himself—infinitely full and complete.”

Reflection: God’s omniscience means He never learns, forgets, or guesses. He knows all things—actual and possible, past and future, visible and hidden. Unlike human knowledge that is acquired over time and subject to error, God's knowledge is instantaneous, comprehensive, and absolutely accurate. His understanding of every event, motive, and thought is total. Before a word is spoken or a deed is done, He already knows it thoroughly. This is why God is not only a perfect Judge, but also a wise Guide.

For the believer, God's omniscience is a source of both comfort and conviction. It comforts us because we know that nothing surprises Him. Our tears, confusion, and trials are fully seen and understood. Yet it also convicts us—our hearts are fully open to His inspection. We cannot hide behind appearances or intentions. The omniscience of God invites us to live honestly before Him, trusting that He knows what we need and what is best, even when we don’t understand our situation.

3. The Omnipotence of God

Definition: God is all-powerful and can do all that He wills. Primary Verse: Jeremiah 32:17 “17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Cross-References: 

Genesis 18:14 “14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Matthew 19:26 “26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Revelation 19:6 “6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

Baptist Quote: Herschel Hobbs — “God’s power knows no limit. The Christian’s confidence should match the capability of his God.”

Reflection: Omnipotence means that God possesses infinite power. He created the universe out of nothing and sustains it moment by moment by His will. There is no fatigue, limitation, or restraint in His strength. He does not need rest, assistance, or resources. Unlike human power, which is limited and can be corrupted, God's power is pure, holy, and perfectly aligned with His will. What He decrees, He can accomplish—without hindrance, hesitation, or failure.

This attribute assures believers that no circumstance is too great for God to handle. When we face impossible odds or overwhelming challenges, we can rest in the knowledge that God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Omnipotence reminds us that prayer is never in vain—when we bring our burdens to the Lord, we are placing them into the hands of the Almighty. Our faith is not in our strength, but in His sovereign might.

4. The Omnipresence of God

Definition: God is fully present everywhere at once. Primary Verse: Psalm 139:7–8 “7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” Cross-References: 

Jeremiah 23:24 “24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”

Proverbs 15:3 “3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.”

Acts 17:27–28 “27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

Baptist Quote: A.W. Pink — “His center is everywhere, His circumference is nowhere.”

Reflection: God’s omnipresence teaches us that He is not bound by geography or confined by space. He is present in the heights of heaven, the depths of despair, the crowded city, and the lonely desert. But unlike created beings that are stretched thin when present in many places, God is fully present in all places. He is not diluted or divided. His presence is real, active, and sustaining—no matter where we are or what we’re going through.

This truth changes how we experience God in daily life. We don’t have to wait to be in a sanctuary to feel God’s nearness. He is with us in traffic, in trial, in triumph, and even in our temptations. His presence provides courage in fear, peace in storms, and assurance in isolation. As believers, we must cultivate an awareness of His presence—not inviting Him into our lives, but responding to the fact that He is already there.

5. The Eternality of God

Definition: God has no beginning or end; He transcends time. Primary Verse: Psalm 90:2 “2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Cross-References: 

Revelation 1:8 “8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Isaiah 57:15 “15 For thus saith the high and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

2 Peter 3:8 “8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Baptist Quote: B.H. Carroll — “The eternity of God is the background of all hope and the foundation of every divine promise.”

Reflection: The eternality of God means He exists beyond the limitations of time. He has no beginning and no end. Time is something God created; it does not bind Him. For God, the past is not lost, the present is not rushed, and the future is not uncertain. He sees all of time at once with perfect clarity. This allows Him to fulfill prophecy, ordain history, and complete His purposes with perfect timing.

For the believer, this attribute brings great peace. When our lives feel rushed or delayed, we can trust that God's timing is always perfect. He sees what we cannot see and moves with wisdom that is not bound by our deadlines. Eternity also reminds us that our lives are not limited to what we see now—our hope is anchored in a God who spans forever. Faith trusts not only in what God is doing now but in what He has already prepared for eternity.

6. The Immutability of God

Definition: God never changes in His nature, character, or will. Primary Verse: Malachi 3:6 “6 For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Cross-References: 

James 1:17 “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Numbers 23:19 “19 God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

Baptist Quote: Charles Spurgeon — “The sun itself grows dim with age, but God shines evermore with a brightness undiminished.”

Reflection: The immutability of God means He is unchanging and unchangeable. His attributes, purposes, and promises remain consistent throughout all of eternity. This doesn’t mean God is inactive—He interacts with His creation and responds within time—but His essential nature never shifts. He doesn't evolve or adapt like man. He is the same holy, wise, loving, and just God He has always been.

For us, this is a rock of stability. In a world where everything seems to change—culture, opinions, circumstances—we can rest in the unchanging nature of God. What He said yesterday remains true today. The same God who parted the Red Sea still makes a way for us. The same Jesus who calmed the storm can speak peace into our chaos. Faith is grounded in the certainty that God is not fickle or fragile—He is faithful.

7. The Unity of God (Simplicity)

Definition: God is indivisible; His essence and attributes are perfectly united. Primary Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4 “4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:” Cross-References: 

1 Corinthians 8:6 “6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

John 10:30 “30 I and my Father are one.”

Isaiah 45:5 “5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, There is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:”

Baptist Quote: John Gill — “God is a most pure and simple act; without composition or parts.”

Reflection: The unity or simplicity of God means He is not made up of parts. His love, holiness, justice, and power are not separate compartments but exist in perfect harmony. We cannot divide God into percentages—He is wholly loving, wholly just, wholly wise, at all times. This doctrine protects us from misunderstanding or misrepresenting God by emphasizing one attribute at the expense of another.

This is important because it ensures that God is not inconsistent. His mercy never compromises His justice. His sovereignty never cancels His grace. As believers, we must grow in our understanding of the full character of God and not build our relationship with Him on partial truths. Worship grows deeper when we recognize the unity of His being and the integrity of His character.

8. The Trinity of God

Definition: God is one in essence yet exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Primary Verse: Matthew 28:19 “19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Cross-References: 

Genesis 1:26 “26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 “14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

1 John 5:7 “7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Baptist Quote: B.H. Carroll — “The Trinity is not a contradiction but a revelation. One God in three persons—coequal, coeternal, and consubstantial.”

Reflection: The Trinity is perhaps the most profound mystery of Christian theology. God is one in essence but exists in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are not three gods or three parts of God, but one God revealed in three co-equal, co-eternal persons. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God—yet there is only one God. This truth is revealed progressively through Scripture and is foundational to our faith.

Though the word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, the concept is clearly taught. The Father sends the Son (John 3:16), the Son sends the Spirit (John 14:26), and the Spirit glorifies the Son and brings us to the Father. Each person of the Trinity participates in our salvation, our sanctification, and our spiritual growth. Believing in the Trinity not only shapes our doctrine—it calls us to reflect the relational nature of God in our unity, community, and love.