Who is God?
Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go. – Exodus 5:2
Our goal is to know God
Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." — John 17:3 (ESV)
This chapter provides a solid foundation for a historical Christian discipleship manual. It moves from God's self-revelation to His attributes, and concludes with practical discipleship applications suitable for individual study, small groups, or church classes.
By the end of this lesson you should:
Understand that God exists and has revealed Himself. Recognize the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God. Learn the biblical meaning of God's attributes. Worship God with greater reverence, love, and faith. Grow in the saving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ.
The greatest question every person must answer is not, "Who am I?" but "Who is God?" Everything in the Christian life begins here. Our understanding of salvation, worship, holiness, prayer, Scripture, and eternity depends upon a true knowledge of God. The Bible teaches that the knowledge of God is not merely intellectual information. It is personal, saving, and transformational.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote,
"Thus
says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the
mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his
riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and
knows me.'"
— Jeremiah 9:23–24 The highest privilege of
mankind is to know the living God.
Hebrews declares:
"Whoever
would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him."
— Hebrews 11:6
Christianity does not begin with arguments about morality, miracles, or church attendance. It begins with God Himself. Without God there is no creation, no morality, no salvation and no eternal life. Everything depends upon His existence.
Why must belief in God come before every other Christian doctrine? What would life be like if there were no God? God Reveals Himself to Every Person God has never left Himself without a witness. He reveals Himself in two great ways.
Creation continually declares God's existence. David writes,
"The
heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his
handiwork."
— Psalm 19:1
Paul explains,
"For
his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly perceived...in the things that have been
made."
— Romans 1:20
Every mountain, every star, every flower, every human life proclaims that there is a Creator. Creation cannot save us, but it leaves mankind without excuse.
Providence refers to God's continual rule over everything He has made. God not only created the universe—He sustains it. Hebrews says Christ is
"upholding
the universe by the word of his power."
— Hebrews 1:3
Every heartbeat, every season, every answered prayer, every event in history, is under His sovereign government. Nothing happens outside His providence. When you enjoy God's creation, allow it to lead you to worship the Creator rather than the creation.
Paul said, "In him we live and move and have our being." — Acts 17:28
David
writes, "You formed my inward parts...your eyes saw my unformed
substance."
— Psalm 139:13–16
Jesus reminds us that we cannot even "add a single hour to his span of life." (Matthew 6:27)
Every breath is borrowed from God.
Although creation and providence reveal God's existence, they cannot reveal the way of salvation.
Nature can tell us, God is powerful. God is wise. God is glorious. But nature cannot tell us, Christ died for sinners. God forgives sin. Eternal life is found through faith.
Only
Scripture reveals these truths. Paul writes, "The sacred
writings...are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus."
— 2 Timothy 3:15
Saving knowledge comes only through God's Word illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
The clearest revelation of God is found in Jesus Christ. John writes,
"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." — John 1:18
To
know Christ is to know the Father. Jesus Himself said, "Whoever
has seen me has seen the Father."
— John 14:9 Every study
of God must therefore be Christ-centered.
The Scriptures summarize God's character with three profound statements.
"God
is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
— 1 John 1:5
This teaches us that God is perfectly holy, perfectly pure, perfectly truthful, all-knowing. Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing can corrupt Him.
God's love is not sentimental. It is holy love. His love is most clearly displayed in the giving of His Son. "For God so loved the world..." — John 3:16
At the cross God's love and justice meet perfectly.
3. God Is Spirit
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." — John 4:24
God has no physical body. He is invisible, living, all-present, and infinitely greater than creation.
Because He is Spirit, He cannot be represented by idols or images.
The Second Commandment forbids making images of God. "You saw no form...therefore watch yourselves very carefully." — Deuteronomy 4:15–16
Every picture or statue of God inevitably misrepresents Him. Our minds are also prone to create false ideas of God. We must allow Scripture—not imagination—to define who God is.
Because God is Spirit, our worship must be spiritual. Jesus taught, "The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." — John 4:23
True worship involves, knowing God through Christ, loving Him sincerely, obeying His Word, depending upon the Holy Spirit. External religion alone can never please God.
There is a difference between knowing facts about God and truly knowing Him. Many possess theological information. Only believers possess saving knowledge. God promises, "I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD." — Jeremiah 24:7 Saving knowledge is: personal, spiritual, life-changing, produced by the Holy Spirit. Paul describes conversion as "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." — 2 Corinthians 4:6
God reveals Himself through His divine attributes. An attribute is a perfection that belongs to God's very nature. God does not merely possess these qualities—
He is these qualities. Everything in God is perfectly united. His love is always holy. His justice is always good. His wisdom is always true. His power is always righteous. There is never conflict within God's character.
These belong to God alone. God's Infinity God has no limits. Nothing restricts His power, wisdom, or presence. "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power." — Psalm 147:5
Because God never changes, His promises never fail.
These are qualities reflected, in a limited way, in people made in God's image. These include, Being. Wisdom. Power. Holiness. Justice. Goodness. Truth Believers are called to imitate these qualities—not infinitely, but faithfully. Peter writes, "Be holy, for I am holy." — 1 Peter 1:16
God's wisdom is infinite. God's holiness is perfect. God's justice is flawless. God's goodness never fails. God's truth cannot lie. Everything God is, He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable
This is why Jesus said, "There is only one who is good." — Matthew 19:17
Only God possesses absolute perfection. God truly exists. God reveals Himself through creation, providence, Scripture, and supremely through Jesus Christ. Saving knowledge of God comes only through Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. God is Light, Love, and Spirit. God cannot be represented by images. God's attributes are His very nature. God's incommunicable attributes are His infinity, eternity, and immutability. God's communicable attributes include wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Every attribute of God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.