This post is part of a series of core Christian principles for new believers. For more, visit the series archive.
This post covers the general details that make our God so unique and how He has revealed Himself to us.
What is God 'made' of?
God is a self-existing being that was never born/created and can never cease to exist.
So technically, He isn't made up of anything because He has created all things.
However, mankind has tried to find words to describe God from the scriptures. Attempting to separate the revealed facts concerning God's eternal being and basic characteristics.
Before we dive into the essences of God, you must understand these two important aspects found in the Bible that help us relate to Him.
This verse displays both:
"So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." - Genesis 6:6 (NASB)
1. An·thro·po·path·ism - assigning human emotions to a non-human being.
God regretted - His displeasure is expressed.
God grieved - His longsuffering is expressed.
2. An·thro·po·mor·phism - attributing physical human characteristics to a non-human being.
God's heart - His thoughts are revealed.
Logically, we know God is a spirit and doesn't need a blood-pumping heart, nor does he regret any of His decisions because He has foreknowledge. Thus these descriptive words are for our immediate benefit.
Now let's look at the 10 attributes of God!
We can't completely conceive God's essence; however, these 10 attributes are biblically supported abstract ideas meant to describe God's independent and individual nature without contradictions.
1. Omni·science - All-knowing (Colossians 2:3)
Similarly: A search engine that has the answers to any subject.
2. Omni·potent - All-powerful (1 Peter 1:5, Hebrews 1:3)
Similarly: Having all the power in the universe in one bottle, God owns that bottle.
3. Omni·present - Everywhere at all times (Psalm 139: 7-12)
Similarly: Oxygen can be everywhere on Earth at the same time.
4. Veracity - All Truth (John 14:6)
Similarly: A calculator is programmed to give you the correct answer; it cannot lie.
5. Immutable - Unable to change (James 1-17)
Similarly: The past, no matter how hard you try, you can not change it.
6. Sovereign - Supreme ruler without help from an outside source (Psalms 115:3)
Similarly: A king having unlimited power and ultimate authority in his kingdom.
7. Eternal Life - A life without a beginning or end (1 John 5:11-13)
Similarly: Infinity, mathematically, numbers have no beginning or end.
8. Love - Intense/extreme care (1 John 4:8)
Similarly: A parent loving their child.
9. Righteous - Knowing moral principles of right and wrong while always being right (2 Cor. 5:21)
Similarly: The law correctly identifies who is innocent and guilty in a given situation.
10. Justice - Fair treatment/behavior (Romans 3:24-26)
Similarly: Police enforce the law sanctions with the impartial treatment of all citizens.
Understanding God's attributes and essence will help you build a closer relationship with Him because you can appreciate Him more.
So the next time you sing praises, you will be not only grateful for your salvation but also His unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, and righteous attributes that you can forever count on.
How do I understand God?
Trying to understand God is completely impossible.
He doesn't think or do things the way we do, He is not confined by time, and He knows the consequences of every action...ever!
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)Our small feeble minds can't comprehend the complexity of God, so He has to oversimplify things for our level of understanding.
But we can learn of Him, as He has revealed Himself to us for that very purpose.
Getting to know Him personally is obtainable and can be accomplished by studying His Word.
Is God calling out to me?
A major part of knowing God is learning to listen when He is speaking and the ability to discern when He is not.
How God speaks to you personally is different for every individual. He meets you where you are at the perfect time in your life.
God has spoken to some people by:
Dreams & visions (Matthew 1:20-21)
Angels (Judges 13:3)
A burning bush (Exodus 3:16-17)
Prophets (Numbers 12:6)
His written word (The entire Bible)
Always remember, God will never tell you anything that contradicts Himself or His Word.
Once you figure out when He is speaking, over time, with repetition, you will learn what God is trying to tell you without delay, stubbornness, or confusion.
Where to look for God?
After salvation, we all seek to fill a void in our spiritual life, and that's when we look for God. Here are my top 3 ways to find God as a new believer.
1. Simply Ask
If you have a genuine desire to know God, you can simply ask Him to reveal Himself to you. In the same manner that you would inquire of a close friend, be bold but respectfully humble in prayer.
Also, when you are unsure if God is speaking, you can ask for a specific sign. Like Gideon's fleece or Abraham's servant's prayer.
2. Patterns
Patterns are an easy way to learn of someone by recognizing another's behavior from past situations.
In the Bible, especially when reading it chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, God's pattern of operation is crystal clear.
Remember, God is immutable, so He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, which helps our trust and stability in Him.
3. Numerology
God created everything, including math. Thus He geometrizes, using the geometric form in His methods.
God uses numbers according to their meanings to line things up, respectively.
Here are a few popular numbers repeated throughout the Bible:
'3' = Completeness
There are 3 persons in the Godhead.
3 times a year, males are to appear before the Lord.
'5' = Divine Grace
Wings of the cherub are 5 cubits.
Jesus fed 5 thousand.
'7' = Spiritual Perfection
Israelites marched around Jericho 7 times on the 7th day.
7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine in the land of Egypt.
'12' = Governmental Perfection
12 tribes of Israel.
12 disciples of Jesus.
'40' = Probation
It rained for 40 days/night around Noah's Ark.
Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
Every number in the Bible means something, and once you're able to study and identify them, you will be enlightened about what God is actually conveying.
If you are interested in numerology and would like to know more, I encourage you to take advanced seminary courses. Meanwhile, check out this great resource found in The Companion Bible Appendixes by Bullinger.
Scriptures:
"...so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it"
- Isaiah 55: 10-11 (ESV)
Songs:
'Build My Life' by Pat Barrett
"Holy, there is no one like You, There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me..."
"I find space for what I treasure, I make time for what I want I choose my priorities and Jesus you're my number one
So I will make room for you..."
Sermons:
Knowing God in Your Spirit (25 mins)
Growing Your Knowledge of God - Part 1 (25 mins)
Knowing God in your head is pretty easy… and pretty useless. Join Dr. Tony Evans as he talks about how to get that knowledge out of your head and into your heart...
You have been presented with an overview of what makes God, God. Next week we will explore what it means to build a relationship with obedience in [Step 7]!
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