What is God Like?

“The Big Guy in the sky”, “The Man Upstairs”, “The Big Cheese” – names we have all heard or used to describe God.  But are these the best ways to describe God?  At first thought, the name “God” brings terms like powerful, creative, all-knowing, and love to mind.  Let’s go to the source to find out what God is like.  Scripture gives us many clues to God’s attributes and character. 

God is never mentioned in Scripture as being created, only that He is exists as the Creator.  Genesis 1:1 reveals, “In the beginning God created…” by merely speaking.  This verse alone shows His authority, power, and creative ability.  God is almighty and powerful (Joel 1:15) and exists apart from being created and His creation (Psalm 97:9; Psalm 90:2). 

Scripture also affirms God is spirit (John 4:24; Luke 24:39), all-knowing (1 John 3:20), everywhere at all times (Psalm 130:7-13), and all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17, 27).  Romans 1:20 asserts everyone, without excuse, must agree His creation clearly points to His existence from the beginning.   God is also consistent and unchanging (Malachi 3:6).  1 Timothy 1:17 declares He is eternal, immortal, invisible, and alone is wise.  These are foundations to the nature of God but He is more than a distant, powerful, creative force. 

God is holy and to be given glory (Isaiah 6:3).  He is righteous and void of sin and evil (Psalm 145:17, 1 John 1:5).  He is the judge of sin and unrighteousness (Jude 1:15).  Through the life and ministry of Jesus, we know that God wants to save those who are lost (Luke 19:10).  He is not just a God ready to send a lightning bolt direct from holy heaven to punish sinful man.  He is full of compassion (Matthew 14:14) and full of mercy (Luke 6:36). God does forgive men from sin (Matthew 9:1-9) but will judge those who have not repented from sin (Luke 13:5).    

The biggest attribute of God is more than just something He possesses.  He not only created it, He encompasses it.  God is love (1 John 4:8).  Love isn’t just a character He has but the equivalent of His nature.  Love isn’t love apart from God because it’s His word entirely.  God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son Jesus into the world to save it (John 3:16) even when it didn’t want to be saved (Romans 5:8).  Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God which only comes through Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).  God’s love draws sinners (that’s everyone – Romans 3:23) to repentance by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).  We can be called children of God because of His grace and salvation (1 John 3:1).

God is our father (Ephesians 4:6), faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9), peace (Philippians 4:7), pleasure (Matthew 17:5), presence (James 4:8), protection (Psalm 91), and provision (Philippians 4:19).  We can know His will (Romans 12:2), grace (James 4:6), goodness (Psalm 27:13), and greatness (Psalm 145).  I pray you will take the time to look up each of these scriptures and allow God’s presence and love to fill you so you will not only know about Him but truly know Him and make Him known.  God is relational and knowable.