The Nature of God

What does the Bible reveal about the nature of God?

I. God is eternal

The Bible states the brief nature of man’s life Ps. 90:9-10 [9] For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. [10] The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

The Bible presents God as eternal “He has always been, is now, and always will be” Nothing came before God

Deut. 33:27 [27] The eternal God is thy refuge…

Ps. 9:7 [7] But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment

Ps. 90:2 [2] Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Ps. 102:27 [27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Ps. 90:4 [4] For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Heb. 1:10-12 [10] And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: [11] They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; [12] And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Earthly circumstances may fluctuate and change --- but the eternal God remains constant

II. God is Spirit

The essence of God is not material Jn. 4:24 [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Lk. 24:37-39 [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Jn. 1:18 [18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Because God is Spirit and not material – He did not allow Israel to make images of Him that they thought might represent His nature

Is. 40:18 [18] To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Before the Word became flesh and dwelt among men – He was “in the form of God”.

Jn. 1:14 [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Phil. 2:6 [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Phil. 2:7 [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Before Christ came to the earth He did not possess the nature of man --- he did not look like man

The Scriptures often use language that describes God in the same terms used to describe man Hands, feet, eyes, etc. God refers to himself in this way because man is limited in his understanding of God

III. God is immutable

To say God is immutable is to say God is unchangeable God is always faithful Man may or may not tell the truth – God always tells the truth

Nu. 23:19 [19] God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Prov. 19:21 [21] There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Heb. 13:8 [8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Js. 1:17 [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Because God is immutable we can depend upon His promises To the sinner this also stands as a warning of God’s sure punishment

IV. God is omnipresent

The Scriptures teach that God is everywhere present

Acts 7:48-50 [48] Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, [49] Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? [50] Hath not my hand made all these things?

Acts 17:27-28 [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

God is omnipresent 1. We may worship God anywhere provided it is in spirit and in truth 2. We cannot hide our activities from Him 3. His presence is a great encouragement to Christians

1 Pet. 3:12 [12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

The Nature of God, POWER magazine, June 2003