God:His Character and Attributes Lession 4

1.) Introduction

In the religions of todays world, there are many so-called gods and just as many opinions about what God (or god) is like.

The Bible on the other hand, claims to be the revelation of the one true God.

The Bible never tries to prove that God exists; it simply states “In the beginning God...” (Gen 1:1.)

How does Psalm 89:7 describe God?

Psalm 89:7 ESV

7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

b. What statement is made to point to the fact that there is only one God in Isaiah 43:10?

Isaiah 43:10 ESV

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

c. What is it that God will not give to another in Isaiah 42:8?

Isaiah 42:8 ESV

8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

2.) The Importance of Knowing God

Jesus equated knowing God with what in John 17:3?

John 17:3 ESV

3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Rather than boasting in wisdom, might, or riches, what one thing does God say a man should boast about in Jeremiah 9:24?

Jeremiah 9:24 ESV

24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

3.) How can one Know God

What does Jesus say about the means for knowing God? John 14:9-10

John 14:9–10 ESV

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

What does Paul say about Christ in Colossians 2:9?

Colossians 2:9 ESV

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

The writer of Hebrews says that God has spoken to us in His Son. How is Christ described in Hebrews 1:3?

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4.) God’s Attributes

A.) What are attributes

An attribute is a quality or characteristic that is true about someone. Studying God’s attributes allows us to have a limited understanding of His Person. Even though some concepts exceed the limits of our comprehension, our ideas concerning God need to be as true as possible.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Holiness

Righteousness and Justice

Sovereignty

Eternality

Immutability

Omniscience

Omnipresence

Omnipotence

Love

Truth

Mercy

Note: These are just a few of God’s attributes.

B.) Gods Attributes Defined

Holiness: Gods attribute of holiness means that He is untouched and unstained by the evil in the world. He is absolutely pure and perfect.

Exodus 15:11 ESV

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Psalm 99:9 ESV

9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!

Because God is holy, we are exhorted to be holy 1 Peter 1:16, We are to be set apart from sin unto God. Our lives are to shine as a reflection of God in an unrighteous world.

ii. Righteousness and Justice: Righteousness and justice are derived from the same root word in the original language of the NT. The meaning is being right or just.

Righteousness designates the perfect agreement between God’s nature and His acts.

Justice is the way God legislates His righteousness.

There is no action that God takes in relation to man that violates any code of morality or justice.

There is no law above God, but there is a law in God.

Psalm 119:137 ESV

137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.

Psalm 89:14 ESV

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

iii. Sovereignty: The word sovereign means chief or highest, supreme in power, or superior in position to all others.

a. Isaiah 46:9–10 “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ ”

b. Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.”

The idea of sovereignty is encouraging, for it assures the Christian that nothing is out of God’s control and that His plans cannot be thwarted (Romans 8:28)

iv. Eternality: Since God is eternal, there has never been a time when He did not exist. He had no beginning and will have no end.

a. Isaiah 44:6 “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.

b. Isaiah 43:13 “Even from eternity I am He.”

Being eternal, God is not bound by time. Having always existed, He sees the past and the future as clearly as He sees the present.

With that perspective, He has a perfect understanding of what is best for our lives.

Therefore, we should trust Him with all areas of our lives.

v. Immutability: God never changes in His nature or purpose.

a. Malachi 3:6 “For I, the Lord, do not change.”

b. Hebrews 6:17–18 “the unchangeableness of His purpose … it is impossible for God to lie.”

The Bible contains numerous promises for those who belong to Him. He can be trusted to keep His Word.

vi. Omniscience: God knows all things present and future. Nothing takes Him by surprise.

a. Job 34:21 “For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.”

b. Psalm 139:1–6 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Since God is omniscient, He knew all our sins (past, present, and future) at the time of our salvation. Yet He still forgave us and received us into His family forever. What does that say about the security of our salvation?

vii. Omnipresence: God is present everywhere in the universe.

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

b. Psalm 139:7–12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.”

Since God is everywhere, it is foolish to think we can hide from Him. This also means that a believer may experience the presence of God at all times and know the blessings of walking with Him.

viii. Omnipotence: God is all-powerful, having more than enough strength to do anything.

a. Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.”

b. Revelation 19:6 “For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

God’s omnipotence is seen in:

▶ His power to create (Genesis 1:1)

▶ His preservation of all things (Hebrews 1:3)

▶ His providential care for us (Psalm 37:23–24)

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). What can you learn from Isaiah 41:10 about God’s omnipotence?

ix.Love: God is love.

His love is unconditional; it is not based on the loveliness or merit of the object.

a. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believesin Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

b. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us.”

Love expresses itself in action. God is our example.

He demonstrated His love for us in sending Jesus to die in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21).

x. Truth: God is the only true God.

a. Psalm 31:5 “O Lord, God of truth.”

b. Psalm 117:2 “the truth of the Lord is everlasting.”

God’s truth is above all.

He is truthful even if all men are found to be liars.

Therefore, His words and His judgments always prevail (Romans 3:4).

In light of this, how should you view God’s Word and the truths it contains?

xi. Mercy: God’s great mercy is the practical expression of His compassion to those who have opposed His will.

a. Psalm 145:8–9 “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.”

b. Psalm 130:3–4 “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”

God’s great mercy is contrasted with man’s sin.

His mercy is displayed in our salvation (Ephesians 2:4–5).

V. APPLICATION

In light of the attributes of God discussed in this lesson, answer the following questions.

A. How will your prayers be affected?

B. How would you respond to a major trial in your life, such as:

1. The death of a close relative (spouse, child)?

2. An accident that leaves you physically disabled?