THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

Non-Christians often view God as cruel and vengeful and they are fearful of turning their life over to one who (in their view) is liable to hurt them. Satan has done a good job of planting that fear. Let us help our non-Christian friends get the correct picture. The dagger aimed at their heart is not God, it is sin and rebelliousness. God's desire is not to punish people, it is to save people. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). The reality is -- punishment does await those who reject-- but as we study the attributes of God we discover that God takes infinite pleasure in blessing those who love him, not in punishing those who do not. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live;" (Ezekiel 33:11).
See also: (Psalm 35:27, Psalm 147:11).

GOD IS ETERNAL: Eternity exists in two variations. First, without beginning and without end (God); secondly, having a starting point (created) but existing forever thereafter (human soul, angels and some other created heavenly beings and objects).
Nothing predates God. Nothing created God. God is self-existing. "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:" (Exodus 3:14).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8).
"For I lift up my hand to heaven and say, I live forever." (Deuteronomy 32:40).
See also: (Psalm 90:2, Psalm 93:2, Habakuk 1:12, Hebrews 1:10-12).

GOD IS IMMUTABLE: In other words, God is eternally unchanging. "I am the Lord, I change not;" (Malachi 3:6). One of the most frustrating things to a human is to be under the control of a "Mind-changer". Example: A person's employer may announce a policy so the person modifies his behavior/wardrobe/schedule/goal or whatever only to hear a few days later that the employer has had a change of mind. God is absolutely perfect, does not make mistakes from which he learns, so there is no need to change his mind and start off in a new direction. Human fashion and convention changes from generation to generation but God's goals do not. God's rules for life do not. The Bible, God's written Word, is as relevant today as it has been for previous generations.
See also: (Psalm 102:27, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17).

• The plan of Salvation.
  Some raise the question, "Why are the rules for salvation different in the Old and New Testaments?" The plan of salvation was complete and present in God's mind from the beginning. It was progressively revealed to man so that it would be understood. Remember that knowledge builds upon knowledge. A textbook explaining nuclear energy would have had little value to a bronze age person of Abraham's time. So with the deep truths of life; righteousness and sin and redemption and adoption. God moved Moses to issue laws for the children of Israel's benefit ("Dad, why do I have to do so and so?" "Because I said so. When you are older you will understand."). People expressed their faith in God by obeying the rules. Now we can look backward and understand the meaning and symbolism of the Old Testament laws. The book of Hebrews explains the transition very carefully.
• God "repented".
  "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented God that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." (Genesis 6:5-6). Repentance is a change in direction. God was not surprised by the fall of man for he had foreknowledge of it, but God permitted man to develop according to his natural inclination until sin had entirely permeated society. Barring a change, there was no hope of subsequent generations ever turning to God, ever fulfilling God's desire for them of spending eternity with him in Heaven. Just generation after generation of sinners bound for punishment. God's character and purpose did not change but his justice required action.

GOD IS OMNIPOTENT (All powerful).
All of the power in the universe originated with and flows from God. He is the creator and sustainer of all matter and all life."Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" Jeremiah 32:17.
See also: Genesis 1:1. , Genesis 1:2-25. , Genesis 1:26-31. , Genesis 18:14 , Psalm 8:3-4 , Psalm 145:15-16. , Isaiah 42:5 , Isaiah 45:18 , Jeremiah 10:10-12. , Jeremiah 27:5 , Romans 13:1 , Colossians 1:16-17 , Revelation 4:11.

GOD IS OMNIPRESENT (Everywhere present).
God is spirit. Being not bound by time nor space, God is everywhere present and aware. There is no place nor circumstance in the universe so far removed from God that it is beyond his attention. Jeremiah 23:23-24.
See also: Deuteronomy 4:39 , Psalm 139:7-12 , Proverbs 15:3.

GOD IS OMNISCIENT (All knowing).
God knows all things and understands all things perfectly. God is not subject to deception because he is everywhere present and aware. His judgement is perfect because his information is accurate. God's actions are perfect because they flow from his perfect judgement. One of my favorite illustrations is that of a human, standing on a street corner, watching a parade. He is aware of what has passed but can only anticipate what is yet to come. God, from his viewpoint, observes the entire parade of history, from beginning to end, all at once. Psalm 147:5.
See also: Psalm 139:1-3 , Proverbs 5:21 , Matthew 10:29-30 , Mark 4:22 , Luke 8:17 , Luke 12:2 , Romans 11:33-34.

GOD IS LOVING, KIND AND MERCIFUL
We understand God's attitude toward us best when we examine our own feelings toward our children. We have a great love for them and a desire to provide for them, nurture them, protect and guide them, even when it is at great expense to ourselves. We wish everything good for them. The guidiance part of the relationship causes us to warn of danger and redirect their activity when they have not had enough experience to recognize peril. Matthew 7:9-11.
See also: Psalm 103:8 , Psalm 145:8-9 , Romans 8:38-39 , 1 Corinthians 2:9 , Ephesians 2:4-7 , 2 Peter 3:9.

GOD IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST.
God is Holy, perfect in righteousness. Since God created both the universe and mankind and determined the rules by which they interact, it is reasonable that God would know and do what is best in every situation. Righteousness is conformity to God's unerring will. Unrighteousness is rebellion against God's will and carries with it the unpleasant consequences which righteousness avoids. The holiness of God requires that rebellion not go unpunished. Deuteronomy 32:3-4.
See also: Job 34:10-12 , Psalm 89:11-14 , Psalm 145:17 , Zephaniah 3:5 , Revelation 16:5-7.

To put ourselves to a slight extent into God's shoes, imagine that you are a skilled traffic engineer who has just overseen construction of a very efficient highway interchange. As you observe your handiwork you notice a little red automobile turn onto an exit ramp and go against the traffic to the top of the ramp, then make a hard right turn to enter a freeway lane, causing other cars to brake and swerve to avoid an accident. "Wow! That was dangerous!" So you have a sign installed stating "Exit Ramp. Do not enter." Day after day the red automobile ignores the sign and continues executing the same maneuver so you call in the highway patrol. The patrolman observes the violation, arrests the person and subsequently a judge revolks the person's licence to drive. The driver feels that the sentence is harsh because he wishes to continue doing just what he wants to do without penalty. You, as designer of the interchange, are acutely aware of the danger his lawless behavior poses to himself and others. Justice requires that you remove him from the highway. God does not go around making laws just for the fun of it.
All creation, including man, is in the best possible position when aligned with God's will.

BONUS SEARCH.

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This page updated 06/07/2008