Becoming Spiritually Fit: Who is God? Pt. 1

Pray

Recap:

Identity of a Faithful Warrior

Killing vs. Murder

To be spiritually fit you have to be a person after God’s heart.

If you’re created in the image of God and He is a warrior, then you’ve been created to reflect and emulate that attribute of God in your own life.

Who is God?

To be spiritually fit, you have to know the God who created you.

Romans 1:19-20

Head:

Who is God?

God is Triune. How do we know?

There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5).

The Trinity consists of three Persons (Genesis 1:1, 26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8, 48:16, 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew plural noun "Elohim" is used. In Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, the plural pronoun for “us” is used. The word "Elohim" and the pronoun “us” are plural forms, definitely referring in the Hebrew language to more than two. While this is not an explicit argument for the Trinity, it does denote the aspect of plurality in God. The Hebrew word for "God," "Elohim," definitely allows for the Trinity. In Isaiah 48:16 and 61:1, the Son is speaking while making reference to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Compare Isaiah 61:1 to Luke 4:14-19 to see that it is the Son speaking. Matthew 3:16-17 describes the event of Jesus’ baptism. Seen in this passage is God the Holy Spirit descending on God the Son while God the Father proclaims His pleasure in the Son. Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 are examples of three distinct Persons in the Trinity.

The members of the Trinity are distinguished one from another in various passages.

In the Old Testament, “LORD” is distinguished from “Lord” (Genesis 19:24; Hosea 1:4). The LORD has a Son (Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:2-4). The Spirit is distinguished from the “LORD” (Numbers 27:18) and from “God” (Psalm 51:10-12). God the Son is distinguished from God the Father (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9).

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit. Consider also all the other times in the Gospels where Jesus speaks to the Father. Was He speaking to Himself? No. He spoke to another Person in the Trinity—the Father.

Each member of the Trinity is God.

The Father is God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2).

The Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20).

The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

There is subordination within the Trinity.

Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son, and the Son is subordinate to the Father. This is an internal relationship and does not deny the deity of any Person of the Trinity. This is simply an area which our finite minds cannot understand concerning the infinite God. Concerning the Son see Luke 22:42, John 5:36, John 20:21, and 1 John 4:14. Concerning the Holy Spirit see John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7, and especially John 16:13-14.

The individual members of the Trinity have different tasks.

The Father is the ultimate source or cause of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11); divine revelation (Revelation 1:1); salvation (John 3:16-17); and Jesus’ human works (John 5:17; 14:10). The Father initiates all of these things.

The Son is the agent through whom the Father does the following works: the creation and maintenance of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17); divine revelation (John 1:1, 16:12-15; Matthew 11:27; Revelation 1:1); and salvation (2 Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 1:21; John 4:42). The Father does all these things through the Son, who functions as His agent.

The Holy Spirit is the means by whom the Father does the following works: creation and maintenance of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30); divine revelation (John 16:12-15; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21); salvation (John 3:6; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2); and Jesus’ works (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38). Thus, the Father does all these things by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God is a Person(s). How do we know?

The Scriptures indicate God has three elements of personality.

He has an intellect (Psalm 147:5). The Scriptures refer to the thoughts and mind of the Lord (Isaiah 55:8, 1 Corinthians 2:16).

He has emotions (Psalm 18:19). We all think of God as love, and so He is (see 1 John 4:8, 10). But God also is one who can be grieved (see Ephesians 4:30) and who can experience wrath (Romans 1:18). Similarly God the Son, Jesus, wept (John 11:35), and the people around Him understood it as an expression of His love (John 11:36).

He has a will (Ephesians 1:11). He makes predetermined plans (Acts 2:23) and works all things together for the good of His children who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28–29).

God is Spirit. How do we know?

GOD’S ESSENTIAL NATURE is spirit (John 4:24). None has seen the invisible essence of God (John 1:18). He has at times given visible manifestations of Himself, which are known as theophanies. He has also revealed His invisible attributes, and the climax of this revelation was in Jesus Christ. Jesus is said to be the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and the “exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3).

How do you get to know one who is invisible? You get to know Him by faith. “Faith is … the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In fact, as you behold the revelation of His attributes, you will be transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18)! We eagerly anticipate the day that when He appears we will “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2), “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12), and then we will be like Him!

However, even now, though we have not seen Him, we can love Him, trust Him, and find our joy in Him. As Peter wrote, “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9).

God is Eternal. How do we know?

GOD IS INFINITE in relation to time. There never was a time when He did not exist and never will be a time when He does not exist. Moses said it well in the book of Psalms:

Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. (Psalm 90:2)

All of us have been created by an eternal God. None of us can escape the urge that He has put in our hearts —the desire to be connected with someone who is eternal—because He has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

God is All-Knowing. How do we know?

Psalm 139: 1-6

Psalm 147:4

Proverbs 15:3

Jeremiah 17:10

God is All-Present. How do we know?

Psalm 139:7-12

Jeremiah 23:23-24

Acts 17:27-28

God is Wise. How do we know?

Romans 11:33

Psalms 104:24

Proverbs 3:19

Colossians 2:2-3

God is All-Powerful. How do we know?

Genesis 18:14

Luke 1:37

Jeremiah 32:17-18

Matthew 19:26

God is Sovereign. How do we know?

The Meaning of God’s Sovereignty

To say that God is sovereign is to affirm Him as the ruler of His creation who will ultimately accomplish all of His purposes. He is ultimately in control of everything — all resources, all authority, life and death, and every event.

God’s Eternal Rule over His Creation, His Redeemed People, and His Coming Kingdom

Sovereignty of God over Creation

Numerous Scriptures speak of God’s creation and describe God as the everlasting King (Psalm 135:13; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17) and the ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth (2 Chronicles 20:6). Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is called “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). The Scriptures also tell us that

God sits as King forever (Psalms 10:16; 29:10).

God rules forever (Lamentations 5:19).

God rules over all (1 Chronicles 29:12).

God is sovereign over all the nations (Acts 17:24–29).

God is in control of all authority (Romans 13:1).

Sovereignty of God over His Redeemed People

This mighty, sovereign God rules over His redeemed people, those who voluntarily submit to Him. In this sense God’s people can testify with the psalmist, “You are my King” (Psalm 44:4). When one becomes a Christian, that new believer enters into Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

Sovereignty of God over the Coming Kingdom.

One day God the Son will rule after all rebellion is judged. Jesus taught His disciples to pray and anticipate His coming kingdom when His will “will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). One day He will rule the world with a rod of iron (Revelation 12:5; 19:15; 20:1–6).

The prophets wrote clearly of a messianic king who one day would rule the earth:

And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one. (Zechariah 14:9)

Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. (Daniel 7:27)

There is a day coming when God will be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28) and every knee will bow to Jesus (Philippians 2:10).

God is Holy. How do we know?

The Meaning of God’s Holiness

The apostle John not only states that “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16) but also that “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). “Light” is used to refer to the revelation of His holiness. The absence of any darkness refers to His complete separation from all sin. John frequently refers to darkness as sin (see John 1:5; 3:19; 12:35; 1 John 1:5–6; 2:8–9, 11).

God is holy in that He is not only “set apart” or exalted above all of His creation but also separate from all moral evil and sin. This also means that He is infinite in moral excellence and purity. For this reason the Scripture speaks of the “beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4). You can adore God who is truly perfect in every way, and as you gaze intently at Him, you observe no flaw or imperfection in His character.

His holiness motivates His love for what is right, good, and pure. His love and devotion for what is truly beautiful and perfect give Him a corresponding perfect hatred for what is opposed to it. He can “take no pleasure in wickedness” because there is absolutely no evil in Him (Psalm 5:4). In fact, Proverbs 6:17–19 lists seven things “the Lord hates,” including wicked plans. Those seven are “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”

Our holy God also hates hypocritical religious celebrations (Amos 5:21–22). As you respond to His holy love, He will develop in you a love for Him that is also accompanied by a hatred of evil (Psalm 97:10) and that in no way rejoices in unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 13:6). Habakkuk tells us His eyes are too pure to approve evil (1:13).

In His holiness He can never encourage sin or be blamed for it in any way. James writes, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13).

When we are tempted, we are not to follow our forefather Adam and blame God as he did—“The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). We will make progress only when we run to God in our temptation and seek His aid and accept full responsibility for our sin. James declares that each of us “is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (James 1:14).

The Testimony of Scripture

In a stunning vision, Isaiah beheld the Lord seated on a throne, “lofty and exalted,” and listened as one angel “called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory’” (Isaiah 6:1, 3).

In the Scriptures, each person of our triune God is described as holy—Father (John 17:11), Son (Acts 3:14), and Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). “There is no one holy like the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:2), for He alone is holy (Revelation 15:4).

The Scriptures also tell us the works of God flow from His holy character. Out of His holiness, He creates (Isaiah 43:15), redeems (Isaiah 43:14), chooses (Isaiah 49:7), and revives the hearts of the holy and contrite (Isaiah 57:15), and one day He will glorify His people (Isaiah 60:9). Out of His holiness, He speaks (Psalm 60:6) and swears to fulfill His promises of blessing (Psalm 89:35–37) and judgment (Amos 4:2).

While even saints in heaven wait for the complete vindication of His holy name (Revelation 6:10), it has been and will be manifested and vindicated (Numbers 16:5–7). Because His throne is holy (Psalm 47:8), those who fail to treat Him as holy will be judged (Leviticus 10:13; 1 Samuel 6:20). Even Moses was disciplined for failing to treat God as holy in his act of disobedience before the people (Numbers 20:12). When God’s people live in bondage, His name is profaned in the world (Ezekiel 36:20). God is concerned for His holy name (Ezekiel 36:21). Out of jealously for His holiness, He will restore and bless His people (Deuteronomy 26:15; Ezekiel 28:25; 36:22; 39:25). God tells us that there will be a future day when all will know that “I am the Lord, the Holy One” (Ezekiel 39:7).

God is Righteous. How do we know?

Righteousness: It’s in God’s Character

Jesus addresses the Father as “righteous Father” (John 17:25). Righteousness belongs to God alone (Isaiah 45:24; Daniel 9:7), though Jesus, God incarnate, is called the “Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14). Only God is “righteous in all His ways” (Psalm 145:17). The prophets write that God “will do no injustice” (Zephaniah 3:5) and is the very “habitation of righteousness” (Jeremiah 50:7).

God’s righteous character is imprinted on His law (Psalm 19:9; Romans 7:12), and His wisdom yields the fruit of righteousness (James 3:18). His Scriptures are designed to train His people in His righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), and He Himself will be righteous and will fulfill all the promises of His Word (Nehemiah 9:8).

The revelation of God’s righteous acts provoked wicked Pharaoh to temporarily acknowledge the Lord as “the righteous one” (Exodus 9:27). The proper response to this attribute is to continually give glory to Him (Isaiah 24:16), give thanks to Him (Psalm 7:17), joyfully sing to Him (Psalm 51:14), and to proclaim and continually declare the good news of His righteousness (Psalms 35:28; 40:9).

God is Faithful and True. How do we know?

John 17:3

Psalm 89:8

Psalm 36:5

2 Chronicles 15:3, in a context where Israel abandoned God for idols

Isaiah 25:1

Psalm 33:4

Psalm 54:5

Psalm 96:13

God is Love. How do we know?

1 John 4:7-10

1 John 4:16

Isaiah 49:14-16

Ephesians 2:4-7

God is Merciful. How do we know? (Not getting what you deserve; i.e. death for our wages of sin)

2 Corinthians 1:3

Psalm 145:9

Luke 1:78

Ephesians 2:1-5

God is Gracious. How do we know? (Getting what you do not deserve; i.e. life despite our sin)

Romans 5:15

1 Timothy 1:14

2 Corinthians 12:9

Ephesians 1:4-6

Ephesians 2:1-8

God is Good. How do we know?

Mark 10:18

Psalm 25:8

Psalm 52:9

Psalm 145:7

Psalm 135:3

God is Glorious. How do we know?

Psalm 138:5

Ephesians 1:6

2 Thessalonians 1:9

Ephesians 3:16

Philippians 4:19

Philippians 2:10-11

Hebrews 1:2-3

Heart:

Questions

Based off our observations of who God is:

(Recap)

God is Triune

God is a Person(s)

God is Eternal

God is All-Knowing

God is All-Present

God is All-Powerful

God is Wise

God is Sovereign

God is Holy

God is Faithful and True

God is Love

God is Merciful

God is Gracious

God is Good

God is Glorious

How would you summarize God?

As said at the beginning, To be spiritually fit, you have to know the God who created you.

Why?

As it is best explained by Dr. Art Azurdia, “Your faith instinctively strengthens in direct proportion to the expansion of the object of your faith. You expand your understanding of the object of your faith and faith itself will obediently follow. The object of your faith… is Jesus Christ and all of his promises.”

Hands:

Walk with God: What does cultivating a deeper knowing of God look like personally in your walk with God?

Keep Christ first: What does cultivating a deeper knowing of God look like personally when we keep Christ first?

Keep sin out of your life: What does cultivating a deeper knowing of God look like personally when you are keeping sin out of your life?

Personally,

Luke 6:40,

A warrior is only as effective as their perfect modeling of the teaching they’ve been given by their master.

The more a warrior follows in the footsteps of their teacher, the more effective they become in the Way of the Faithful Warrior

A warrior who shows up to the fight not knowing the King whom they fight for is more useful to the enemy than the King they serve

You don’t know that King’s:

Values

Goals

Enemies

Agenda

For me, ensuring that I am reading, engaging, and meditating upon Scripture ultimately ensures that I will better know the God who has called me to engage in spiritual warfare on His behalf.