Understanding the nature of God is fundamental to the Christian faith. Here are some of the most important things the Bible teaches us about who God is:
God is eternal
God has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). He exists outside of time and space.
God is all-powerful
God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17). Nothing is too difficult for Him and no one can thwart His plans (Job 42:2). He spoke the universe into existence.
God is all-knowing
God is omniscient, meaning He knows everything – the past, present and future (Psalm 139:1-6). His understanding has no limit (Psalm 147:5). He knows our actions, hearts, and minds.
God is ever-present
God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7-12). We cannot go anywhere to escape His presence. He fills the heavens and the earth.
God is all-wise
God possesses all wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33-36). His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). He knows what is best in every situation.
God is sovereign
God reigns supreme over everything (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). He does what He pleases with the hosts of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can oppose Him.
God is holy
God is morally perfect, flawless, and without any sin or error (Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:15-16). He is completely righteous, just, and fair in all His ways.
God is love
God’s very nature is love (1 John 4:8). He loves unconditionally and sacrificially. He demonstrated His love by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16).
God is merciful and gracious
Though deserving of judgment, God shows incredible patience, mercy and grace to sinful people (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 86:5). He is slow to anger and quick to forgive.
God is faithful
God keeps all His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9). He is completely trustworthy and reliable. What He says He will do, He will surely fulfill.
God is just
God is perfectly fair and even-handed in all His judgments (Deuteronomy 32:4). He punishes evil and rewards good. He upholds justice for the oppressed.
God is jealous
God tolerates no rivals to His glory and rules His kingdom with perfect righteousness (Exodus 20:5). He demands exclusive devotion as the one true God.
God is self-existent
God depends on nothing else for life, existence or sustenance (Exodus 3:14). All things depend on Him, but He depends on nothing outside of Himself.
God is immutable
God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). Any changes we see in how God relates to people are due to changes in people, not in God.
God is a Trinity
Though one God, the Bible also teaches God is three co-equal, co-eternal Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17). This triune nature of God is beyond human comprehension.
God is our Creator
God created the entire universe and everything in it out of nothing (Genesis 1:1). He also specially crafted humanity in His image, to glorify Him and enjoy relationship with Him.
God is our Heavenly Father
If we have trusted in Christ, God becomes our perfect Father, guiding, providing, correcting, and loving us as His cherished children (Matthew 6:26, Hebrews 12:5-11).
God seeks worshipers
As the sole Creator and Lord of all, God alone deserves worship and praise (John 4:23). He created us to worship Him and find greatest joy when we exalt His glory above all.
God is a personal God
The God of the Bible interacts with people and enters into personal relationships with them. He speaks, guides, comforts, hears, and acts when His people pray.
God is our refuge
God is described as a strong, safe hiding place and a rock of protection for His people (Psalm 18:2, 46:1). He shields us from danger and delivers us from distress.
God is generous
God eagerly gives good gifts to His children out of His vast abundance (James 1:17). He provides for us, guides us, and lavishes us with spiritual blessings in Christ.
God is patient
God has vast patience and is slow to anger, even though we often sin and rebel against Him (2 Peter 3:9). He gives people time to repent instead of immediately punishing sin.
God hates sin
While being patient and merciful with sinners, God also hates and detests all sin and evil (Proverbs 6:16-19). His patience should never be presumed upon.
God expects repentance
God commands all people everywhere to repent of their sins (Acts 17:30). A changed heart that turns from sin and toward God is necessary to be reconciled to Him.
This overview covers some of the most important attributes taught in Scripture that reveal the nature and character of God. Recognizing who He truly is should move us to live reverently before Him and place our faith in Him alone for salvation.