We've been talking about the nature of God for the last two weeks, and it's really way to much to swallow in two messages. So, here's the list of God's attributes, and I encourage you to do a little homework on your own. If you are reading this and haven't been a part of those messages, the issue we want to focus on is "getting it." It's one thing to know these truths about God, it's another thing to allow that to impact how we think and live. So, let's focus on one or two of these and figure out how that can impact our lives today!
Here are the attributes of God that we don't share as human beings. I'll include a few references to check into.
1) The Unity of God - basically, God is in a class by Himself. Isaiah 45:5, 43:10; I Cor 8:4
2) The Simplicity of God - He is One, without parts or divisions. Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:32
3) The Immutability of God - He will not change. Psalm 102:26-27; Isaiah 54:10; Proverbs 19:21: John 3:36
4) The Infinity of God - Psalm 145:3, 147:5; I Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1
5) The Omnipresence of God - Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139:8
6) The Eternity of God - Psalm 90:2, 102:27; Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28; I Timothy 1:17
And here are the attributes that we do share with God - at least to some degree. However, we experience these imperfectly, and God IS the perfect fulfillment.
1) Life - God has it in and of Himself. Acts 17:28; John 5:26; John 10:10; John 14:6
2) Knowledge - God knows all things, even the future. John 21:17; I John 3:20; Isaiah 41:22-23
3) Wisdom - God discerns the best ends and chooses the means to to get there. Romans 11:33; Job 12:13
4) Holiness - God is both the Supreme Majesty and has absolute ethical purity. Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 6:3 (into 7:13); I Peter 1:16; Revelations 4:8
5) Justice - There is no unrighteousness in God. Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 92:15
6) Truthfulness - God will never lie. Titus 1:2
7) Power - God is all powerful (omnipotent). Genesis 17:1; Matthew 19:26; Isaiah 40:9-10; Psalm 89:6-8; Psalm 96:6
8) Goodness, Mercy, Love, Grace, Patience - God is all of these! Psalm 118:1; Jeremiah 3:12; I John 4:8; Exodus 34:6-7; II Peter 3:9
Have a great time sorting through these and getting to know God a little bit better!
Posted on
Wed, August 27, 2008
by Jonathan Goeke