The Attributes o of God

What are God's characteristics? When we discuss God's qualities, we are attempting to answer questions such as, "Who is God?" "What is God like?" and "What kind of God is he?" A God attribute is anything true about him. While truly knowing who God is impossible for us as finite creatures, God does make himself known in several ways, and we can begin to wrap our heads around our great Creator and God by what he reveals about himself in his Word and in his world.

God is unlike anyone or anything we have ever known or imagined. He is one-of-a-kind, unique, and unrivalled.. Even defining him in words comes well short of capturing who he is - our words just cannot do our holy God justice.

Nonetheless, God has traits that we may know (even if only in part), and he has given us his Word as a method of understanding himself. We've compiled a list of 15 of God's properties; some are "incommunicable" (only God possesses them) and others are "communicable" (both God and we possess them, though only he possesses them perfectly).

And he is before all things, and all things are held together in him." 1 Corinthians 1:17

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure" - Psalm 147:5

The notion that God is self-existent -- that he was formed from nothing and has always existed forever -- is arguably one of the most difficult qualities of God to comprehend for the believer. In our limited understanding, knowing the nature of our boundless God is analogous to grasping water as it rushes down a river. Indeed, Tozer writes of the perplexing, mind-boggling quality of God's infinity:

'To admit that there is One who lies beyond us, who exists outside of all our categories, who will not be dismissed with a name, who will not appear before the bar of our reason, nor submit to our curious inquiries: this requires a great deal of humility, which most of us lack, so we save face by thinking God down to our level, or at least down to where we can manage Him."

The name Jehovah appears approximately 6,800 times in the Bible. It is the personal covenant name of the God of Israel. The King James Version of the Bible translates it as Lord God. It not only speaks of God's strength, but it also speaks of God's sovereignty and goodness. This name's root implies "self-existing," as in one who never existed and will never exist. "Who shall I tell Pharaoh has sent me?" Moses asked God. God declared, "I AM THAT I AM." To Jewish scribes, Jehovah or Yahweh is the most deeply hallowed name, and many will not even speak it. They adopt a different name wherever feasible."

The Lord never changes. So you, Jacob's descendants, will not be destroyed." 3:6 Malachi

God never changes. He is always the same. His characteristics are the same from the beginning of time to the end of time. His personality never changes; he never becomes "better" or "worse." His plans remain unchanged. His promises remain constant.

TThis should be a source of great joy for believers. "What all of this means, very simply, is that God is dependable!" writes Sa.m Storms regarding the good news of God's unchanging nature. Our faith in him is thus a confident faith, because we know he will not, and cannot, change. 

His intentions are unwavering, and his promises are unbreakable. Because the God who promised us eternal life is immutable, we may be confident that nothing, not turmoil, hardship, persecution, starvation, nakedness, danger, or sword, will be able to separate us from Christ's love .Because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, no angels or demons, no present or future, no powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:35-39)!"

For just as the Father has life in himself, he has given the Son life in himself." - John 5:26

As limited humans, we have enormous requirements that, if not met, result in mortality. God, on the other hand, has never been in need of anything.  According to Tim Temple, "God is perfectly complete within his own being."

Scott Swain says on Reformation21.org that God's self-sufficiency indicates he "possesses infinite riches of being, wisdom, goodness, and power in and of himself" (Gen 17:1; John 5:26; Eph 3:16). Because he has unfathomable riches in perfect knowledge and love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 11.25-27; John 17:24-26), 

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself." - John 5:26

As limited humans, we have enormous requirements that, if not met, result in mortality. God, on the other hand, has never been in need of anything.  According to Tim Temple, "God is perfectly complete within his own being."

Scott Swain says on Reformation21.org that God's self-sufficiency indicates he "possesses infinite riches of being, wisdom, goodness, and power in and of himself" (Gen 17:1; John 5:26; Eph 3:16). Because he has unfathomable riches in perfect knowledge and love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 11.25-27; John 17:24-26), God is known as the "blessed" or "happy" God (1 Timothy 1.11; 6:15). 

Because God is self-sufficient, we can turn to him for all of our needs. We never have to be concerned about "drying up" his never-ending supply of goodness, peace, mercy, and grace. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… Ephesians 3:20.

The heavens were created by the LORD's word, and their starry host by the breath of his lips." - Psalm 33:6

"Can you comprehend God's mysteries?" Can you test the Almighty's limits? What can you do when they are higher than the heavens? What can you say? They're deeper than the abyss below. Their length exceeds the length of the earth and their width exceeds the width of the sea. Who can stand up to him if he imprisons you and holds a court hearing? Surely he recognizes deceivers, and does he ignore evil when he sees it?" - Job 11:7-11

The term "omnipotent" refers to having boundless power (omni = all; potent = forceful). God is capable and powerful enough to accomplish anything he desires with no effort on his behalf.

It is critical to emphasize the "anything he wills" aspect of that statement because God cannot do anything contradictory or opposed to His essence. The meaning of Hebrews 6:18 is as follows: "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged."

"God's attribute of omnipotence means that God is able to do all that He desires to do," Ron Moore writes in his devotional Forward. When He plans something, it will happen. Anything He desires will come to pass. Nothing can stop His plan. No one can turn His hand back when it is reached out to do something. The term "omnipotence" is derived from two Latin terms. The Latin word omni means "all," while potens means "powerful." God's decisions are always consistent with His character, and He has complete authority to do whatever He wants."

"Scripture clearly states that God is powerful and strong (Psalm 24:8). Nothing is too difficult for Him (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37). God is frequently referred to as "Almighty," portraying Him as the possessor of all power and authority (2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 1:8). Indeed, Paul declares that God is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

“Although such power might seem frightful, remember that God is good. He can do anything according to His infinite ability, but will do only those things that are consistent with Himself. That’s why He can’t lie, tolerate sin, or save impenitent sinners.” – John MacArthur