The Attributes of God
1
Everyone know there is a God
God has put within the heart of all mankind an inner knowledge that there is a God – a supreme being outside of himself who created him and his environment. It is an innate sense that we all have within ourselves.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even the eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
There are, in this world, very few people who truly are atheists. Those who claim to be are generally agnostic in their thinking, confused through outside forces on whether there is or is not a god. Their thinking came as a result of some form of indoctrination that caused their view of God to become hardened and distorted. So then, regardless of their verbal confession on God's existence, these people still question and endlessly search for some sort of fulfillment to fill that void that God placed within regarding His existence.
Man is always on a continual search for God, but sadly, he often looks and finds Him in the wrong places. There is only one source where we truthfully discover and learn about God – and that is through the Holy Scriptures.
Who is God?
The Holy Scriptures tell us that God is eternal, and goes beyond time and space. He is holy, loving, full of mercy and grace. Sadly, so many people see Him as an impersonal God Who is a lawgiver and eternal judge of all things. They forget about His love and mercy. It must be stressed that it is impossible for God to be judge without first extending His long hand of mercy beforehand. You cannot have one without the other.
God is a personal God Who wants to have an intimate relationship with His creation. His love is eternal, and it is unconditional.
1 Tim 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. KJV
Jer 9: 23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. KJV
We need to see God for Who He really is so He can hold the position He deserves in our life and in the earth.
The consistency of God’s Word
God’s Word, consistently, from Genesis to Revelation, points to His holiness, justness, love, mercy, and goodness. In man’s confused mind, he has turned limited scripture verses, or passages, to show God as a judgmental God Who sits on His throne and condemns His creation. While that perception is false, it becomes a reality in the mind of man who sees God with his limited perception. The truth is that God is loving, just, holy, merciful, jealous, and wise, to name a few, and they all exemplify his attributes perfectly and completely. All of His attributes are qualified by other attributes and they all act simultaneously. While God is mercifully just, He is justly merciful. While God is a God of love and mercy, He is also a God of judgment.
When man’s knowledge of God is seen through the fullness of Scripture, His true nature and character can then be revealed.
The Three-Faceted Definition of God
Someone once said: “If God was small enough for our minds, He wouldn't be big enough for our needs.” We must always remember that God is bigger than our ability to comprehend Him. He is life and the Creator of life. His attributes are constantly boundless and is without measure. While God is self-existent – he has always been, and is eternal and forever unchanged. In His sovereignty, He is holy, powerful, knowledgeable, and filled with wisdom. His love knows no bounds as He give out His goodness and kindness.
In His eternality, God is three faceted - omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscience, and ever unchangeable. They are all are parts of His limitless nature. These attributes are the foundation of orthodox Christianity and Judaism, and must be embraced.
Omnipresence
The word “omnipresence” is a combination of two words: 1) “Omni” – a Latin word (Omnis) meaning “everywhere. 2) “Presence” – Another Latin word (preaesens) meaning “vicinity within close view.” God is “everywhere present.” [i]
God is “everywhere present”
Psm 139:7-12 Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there; if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me... (NAS)
God’s omnipresence transcends time and space
Omnipresence is God's method of being present in both time and space. There is no molecule or atomic particle so small where God is not fully present in it. Whether you go to the deepest depths or the highest heights, God is still there. There is no galaxy so vast where God’s presence can’t be there. He is limitless. No matter where one can go, God is there. His presence is everywhere - at all times.
Jer 23 : 23-24 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 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. KJV
Many people confuse God’s omnipresence with His physical presence. God is not limited to a physical being where He has a physical body with flesh, blood, and bone. This kind of understanding would only limit Him and His powers. While there are a few scriptures that refer to God as having eyes, ears, hands, and mouth, it must be noted that the wordings are simply symbolic representations used to make God’s actions more understandable to our finite minds. God’s presence is far more than a physical body. Theologians refer to this as “anthropomorphisms,” meaning human form. [ii]
The Scriptures state that God is a Spirit who, again, is not limited by time or space. As a Spirit, however, He is not an impersonal force, but a person who has a nature and personality characteristics, meaning intellect, emotions, and will.
Depending on the relationship that one has with God, will determine whether His omnipresence is something to be desired or feared. His omnipresence brings joy to the godly or terror to the wicked or unbeliever. No one can hide from Him and no one or nothing escapes His notice. [iii]
God is “everywhere present”
Prov 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (NIV)
God needs stewards to rule the earth
God created His beautiful creation on earth and He needed stewards over His creation. For that reason, he created Adam and Eve. They were both created to live forever, having power and dominion over the earth as they reigned eternally as God’s stewards. God delighted in them, and blessed them, giving them the best of what He had. In that love relationship, it was God’s desire to give them His best - giving of Himself and all that He had.
Gen 1: 26-28 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. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. KJV
The condition of blessings
Just as God has always been, so has His omnipresence. His omnipresence brought Adam and Eve fulfillment as they walked in peace and joy in God’s righteousness while they were God’s stewards upon the earth. They experienced the good life and one that was filled with all of the blessings of God. God simply, but firmly gave them one command to obey to meet the conditions of those blessings: “Do not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” Not eating of that tree was their payment back to God for all of the blessings He was pouring upon them. If they failed to obey this one command, they would be in sin and the consequences would be death. If they failed in this one command, they would then be under the command of a false god – Satan who looked for every opportunity to entice them to eat of that tree. If they failed, the presence of God then would no longer be enjoyed, but be something that would be feared.
Temptation led to the fall of mankind
Sadly, Adam and Eve fell to the temptation of Satan’s lies, thinking that eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil would not kill them. In fact, Satan told them that if they ate of the fruit of the tree, they would become wise like God. They fell for the lies of Satan and disobeyed God’s command. They both ate of the fruit, leaving God with no choice - He had to honor His Word. If He did not, He would be a liar, and therefore in sin; therefore, violating another one of His attributes – which is Truth. In the integrity of Who He is, God has to uphold His Word.
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
God told them that their disobedience would result in death. So in that, God was love, merciful, but righteous and judgmental. Death then wasn’t meant as a means of punishment, but a way of upholding righteousness.
God’s presence abides in faith and fear
It is interesting to note that once Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the forbidden tree, they covered themselves – for they knew they were naked and in sin. As a result, they feared the presence of God. The question then is - did God’s presence leave Adam and Eve? No, of course not! That same presence still abided with them; however, Adam and Eve had changed, fearing the very thing that once gave them peace, love, and joy.
Throughout the writings of the Old Testament, it gives evidence of God presence. Scripture will show that God looked, and is continuously looking for those who would love Him back and desire to be in His abiding presence. For example, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses all experienced God’s presence in their lives. The prophets of God experienced the same, seeking to find those among God’s people who would also love and obey their Creator in return.
God is everywhere
God sees everything we do and is aware of every place we go. There is nothing we can do or anywhere we can go without Him being there. He is everywhere! In addition, God’s presence is internal for He knows the thoughts and intents of our heart. If we think or are involved in wrong doing, this grieves His Spirit – for He knows and sees all sin. For the wicked, God’s presence will eventually bring terror, for the Day of Judgment comes upon all men. For the godly, His presence brings joy, comfort, and peace because forgiveness is available.
God’s love has extended as an offering to anyone and everyone. When He sent His Son into the world as a payment for the sins of mankind, He offered Himself as a Savior to those who would accept Him through His Son. For those who believe and follow His Son, His love is abundant, communion in His presence is offered, and eternal life is promised. [iv]
God’s Spirit within
Part of God’s omnipresence includes His Holy Spirit Who has always been and has rested upon men as He choses. Jesus Christ promised His disciples that His Spirit would be present with them at all times. That presence again is the Holy Spirit of God. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God takes up residency within our spirits and wants to build a relationship and have fellowship within us. That doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit does not rest upon or around, but like the omnipresence of God, His Spirit rests within – He is everywhere.
Matt 28:18 And lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.
Even when we do not feel His presence, He is still with us. Because He has taken up residency in our hearts, His presence is ever abiding within and around – everywhere.
Practicing the presence of God
Brother Lawrence was a French lay monk in the 17th century. His book, The Practice of the Presence of God, composed by another brother of the order, about Brother Lawrence's life, has been a popular book for centuries. The book tells how Brother Lawrence spent most of his life practicing the presence of God while doing mundane tasks, serving in a monastery. Not only was he thinking about the presence of God, he used his time communicating with his Creator while he went about his business at hand. He purposed to see God in everything he did, and find God in everything he saw.
Seek His presence
Brother Lawrence sets a good example for us today in practicing the presence of God. If we purpose to see God in everything, we will find Him in everything we see. As a believer, His presence abides within and we can meet Him within in our spirit. It is within our spirits where we commune with Him. It is there where we get to know Him and enjoy His presence. God wants to reveal Himself to us – His attributes, natures and character. Because He wants communion with us, He also wants us to share every detail of our lives with Him – our joys, sorrows, victories, defeats, problems, pleasures, fears, frustrations, and whatever we are experiencing.
Gaze inward to the Lord in good times and bad. You will discover what the Apostle Paul meant when he said “pray without ceasing.” You can be certain that if you are faithful in this practice, you will find it easier to spend good quality time in prayer as well. This practice will keep your mind from wandering when it should be centered on the Lord. By fostering an awareness of God’s presence, you will find yourself giving out spontaneous prayers of love and adoration throughout the day, which in turn brings your heart and mind back to God.
This practice will also will also change your life. Fear and doubt will leave because you are focusing on God’s presence. By purposing to root yourself in God’s presence will cause fear and anxiety of future things to leave, bringing you to a place of calmness and tranquility. That kind of calmness and tranquility will show up in your conduct throughout the day.
Finding God in our five physical senses
If we purpose to seek God’s presence with our five physical senses, meaning hearing, seeing, taste, touch, and smell, we will find Him. We will find Him in the air we breathe, in the beauty of nature, the sounds of the birds, and even in the taste of the food God gave to us. We can use our physical senses to discover God in our world. If we do, we will discover that He is there ready to make Himself known. Then commune again with Him in your spirit – spirit to Spirit.
The knowledge of God's omnipresence means no matter where you are, what you are facing, you face it with God at your side . If you want to live in the confidence that comes from God's omnipresence, we need to act on this truth by consciously reminding ourselves that God is near – the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Heb 13:5 … I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Omnipotent
The meaning of omnipotent has carried uniqueness or exclusiveness. In other words, there is no power comparable to the One who is omnipotent. Omnipotence is an essential attribute of God and an attribute that belongs to God alone.
Omnipotent
All powerful, unlimited power – reserved only for God
The Hebrew title of “Shadday,” used for God is often translated “almighty.” God is supreme, having power over all things. There are over 500 verses that either teach the omnipotence of God or implicitly assume it. There is no one, or no force or happening that will prevent God from accomplishing His design, which means His power is sufficient to fulfill all of His purposes and promises of His Word. [v] It is God’s nature to be almighty. Anything less than an almighty, omnipotent God is no God at all. If God were not omnipotent, He could not be trusted.
There are three important facts to know regarding God’s omnipotence:
1. No power can thwart the plans and purposes of God
Omnipotence teaches us that there is no power in the universe that can stop God or impede his plans and purposes. While Satan, through his thwarted, twisted mind may cause certain things to happen, God’s ultimate plan will always come to pass. Nothing can change the power and purpose of God from His plans taking place.
In the Old Testament, God gives us the story of Joseph and how his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. As the drama unfolds, Joseph went into prison in a foreign land for something he did not do. God, however, had a plan and purpose for Joseph and His people. Joseph eventually went on to become one of the highest government officials in Egypt. He was years later reunited with his brothers who came to the Egyptian courts seeking grain for their family who were starving back in Canaan. Joseph chose not to display revenge or harbor bitterness toward his brothers. Instead, he sought the hand of God to intervene in the situation; therefore, God’s purpose was accomplished. In addition, Joseph’s family was saved from starving. They then moved from Canaan to Egypt to enjoy the fruit of the land. Sadly, however, they eventually went into slavery and had to be delivered and brought back to Canaan at the opportune time. Again, God’s plan and purpose was accomplished. Again and again, the stories in Scripture point out to God’s plans and purposes for His people.
All we have to do is look at the Word of God and see that God turns evil into good. Everything points to his plan and purpose. We can use these stories as examples for our own lives. When things seem to go wrong, the stories in Scripture encourages us. Remember, God is still in control. [vi]
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
2. No matter how great the need, God's resources are never depleted
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
There are two different Greek words and meanings for “care” in this verse. The first “care” refers to the distractions and anxieties of life that so often eat away at us, sapping our strength and destroying our peace of mind. The original meaning of the Scripture implies that we are to violently throw, or fling, something with great force over onto God. Consider casting a fishing rod out as far as you can into the water. God is at the other end catching what you threw out. Then the meaning of the second word “cares” speaks of God’s interest or concern on us in that He not only desires to manifest His love and grace, but He also has the resources to fulfill those needs. He has already prepared the solution.
We can in full confidence come to God and give our cares to Him. He not only cares for us, but he has the unlimited power and resources to carry our burden and solve our problems.
Many see the Book of Job as a book of suffering; whereas it is actually a book of victory. Job learned that powerful lesson when he went through his trials. Satan used his wife and friends who tried to get Job into believing that God was at the bottom of his loss. For nine months he labored under the lie that God caused his calamities until one day God confronted him out of a whirlwind with the truth. God asked Job – “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Were you there when I put the stars in their places?” God challenged Job with questions that he no longer had answers. In the end, Job admitted he received what he greatly feared and what he spoke from his mouth, and it wasn’t God who brought on the trials.
It was then that Job cast his cares upon the Lord. He bowed in silence before God and repented of his sin of fear and speaking his calamities into being. God was omnipotent - right there to fill Job’s needs. He received him back into fellowship and blessed him with ten times more than what he had before his trials.
Prov 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
3. God has the power to keep his Word
People continuously question the issue of suffering, claiming God to be at the source of the suffering. “If God is all-powerful,” they ask, “why is there so much suffering in the world?" “Why does God allow innocent people to be hurt?” Why is there so much disease?” “Why, why, why?” We must remember that sin entered into this world through Adam and Eve, not God. Since then mankind has followed a different god. Satan, the god of this world is out to rob, kill, and destroy. That is his position! While, ultimately, God will have His way with His plans and purposes, the devil thwarts his evils wherever he can along the way. God, however, has provided a plan and purpose for His people. In the midst of Satan schemes, God is still at work in those who love Him.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The above verse makes an incredible promise. As Christians, we can be assured God cares about us so much that the tapestry of our lives, meaning all events good and bad, are being woven together into a blanket of His love and protection. God will take every turn of events in your life and somehow, someway, someday bring about good from it. We can be confident to know that in difficult times, He is with us. [vii]
Ultimately, in the lives of individuals, as well as corporately, God’s plans will come to pass. What He stated in His Word in Genesis will be fulfilled in the book of Revelation. All of God’s laid out plans will come to pass. For those of us who want to take part in God plans and purposes, receiving all of the promises and provisions given, they are available through belief in Christ Jesus, following in His ways.
Rev 19:6 … Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Omniscience
The Latin word omniscience is not a biblical word, meaning you will not find it in the Bible. It is a theological word which correctly describes biblical evidence. Onmiscience then means to see or know all things. For God then, everything is eternally "present." He, and He alone, possesses limitless knowledge of everything from the past, present, and future. [viii]
Omniscience
Having total knowledge; knowing everything, including the thoughts and feelings of man
God had His plans and purpose all laid out before the foundation of the world. Before He created the world, His plans were in place. He knows the beginning and the end. It was all planned out.
Prov 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The manner in which God knows all things, is incomprehensible to us. The psalmist stated - "such knowledge is too wonderful…"
Ps 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Prescience (future things)
In regards to things future, God’s knowledge is called foreknowledge or prescience.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Genesis
Predestination is founded on the prescience of God and on the supposition of all future being known and present to Him. We recognize that God from all eternity foresaw all things. He foreknew about Adam and Eve – that they would sin. We also know that God knew the world would need a Savior when He created it. In Genesis 3:15, God made a way with the provision of His Son one day entering into the world Who would crush the head of Satan in destruction.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
God’s plan carried all of the way through the giving of the law to the coming of His Son to save mankind.
Rom 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Isaiah
God announced the specifics of his future purpose to Isaiah who tells us that the long awaited Messiah would be "smitten" "pierced" and "crushed." God revealed to Isaiah (Isaiah 53) that the Messiah would "see the light of life and be satisfied" and that "by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many and he will bear their iniquities.”
Micah
The Prophet Micah (hearing from God) prophetically foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The Prophet Daniel also predicted when Jesus would die (Daniel 9:25-27), and the Prophet Isaiah prophesized how He would die. The King and Prophet David prophesized and how He would rise from the dead (Psalms 16:10) and it was again repeated in Acts 2:30–31.
Jeremiah
God told the Prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jer. 1: 5)
The Gospels
God sent an angel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to reveal His plan. He told her to not be afraid, for she had found favor with God. “You will be with child,” He said, “and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end"
Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
The Epistles
In the same way, the Lord was able to reveal the Church – that it would be composed of both Jew and Gentile. It was no longer the Jews that were only offered the plan of salvation. The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Jesus Ephesians that God chose them before the foundation of the world. These things were known by God, from all eternity.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
God not only foreknew His plan for mankind, He also knows the mind of man and knows everything we do. David spoke to the Lord and acknowledges that He has looked deep into his heart and discovered the truth of all that is there. Wherever he went, God was there. Like David, God knows everything we do.
Ps 139:1-4 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Does God know everything that we are thinking and can he "read our minds" without being present with us to observe our mood, or our visage? Absolutely yes! He knows everything we think. God sees our very own heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of God to whom we must give account just as it was for Adam and Eve in the garden some 6000 years ago.
Heb 4:13 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.
We have the option to live in fear and dread of God’s presence or earnestly seek it, having peace, joy, and love fellowshipping with the one Who created us. The choice is up to us!
End Notes
1. www.jew-jews-judaism.com/
[ihttp://www.independencebaptist.org/Books_by_the_Pastor/Attributes_of_God/05the_omnipresence_of_god.htm [ii] http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=224
[iii] http://www.tecmalta.org/tft138.htm
[iv] http://www.allanturner.com/omni.html
[v] http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/topical/omnipotent_god.htm
[vi] http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/topical/omnipotent_god.htm
[vii] http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/rock.html
[viii] http://www.founders.org/FJ46/article1_fr.html