God has a nature that is in some ways beyond our comprehension. He has, though, revealed some significant truths about who He is. Consider seven of these truths that relate to God’s character.
God is All-Seeing: Hebrews 4:13 teaches, “There is no creature that is hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” God sees everyone everywhere at all times. God knows our every action, word, and thought (Prov. 15:3).
This serves as a motivation for fleeing unrighteousness. Others may not know something evil we have done, spoken, or thought, but God does (Luke 16:15).
On the other hand, God’s all-seeing nature is a comfort to the righteous. God “sees in secret” (Matt. 6:6) the good deeds that often go unnoticed by others. One who is sincerely striving to do right can find joy in the fact that God sees all.
God is All-Powerful: God is also all-powerful. When Sarah laughed within herself upon hearing she’d have a child in her old age, God responded, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (verse 14).
God can do whatever He pleases with His creation. This does not negate man’s free will, but it should motivate us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand (1 Pet. 5:6), surrendering to Him with reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28).
God’s all-powerful character is a comfort to the righteous, who can rest assured that no matter the trial faced, God in His power allows us to overcome (cf. Rev. 1:17-18).
God is Light: Scripture further teaches us “that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). God is perfect and sinless. Everything He chooses to do with His infinite power is righteous.
Because He is light, God cannot be in fellowship with those in darkness, but only those who walk in the light (1 John 1:6-7).
God is Just: Not only does God not have fellowship with darkness, but, as a perfectly just God, He does not ignore sin. His righteousness demands that He punish sin justly (cf. Acts 17:31). This is part of God’s character that makes hell a reality. Were God not perfectly just, He might ignore the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23). Yet, in His perfectly righteous character, He will not.
God is Love: Though God punishes sin justly, His love causes Him to not desire this punishment for anyone.
Thus, God in His love sent His Son to die for people who have grossly mistreated Him (Rom. 5:8). God’s love is such a primary part of His character that Scripture teaches “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
God’s love does not mean that He grants salvation unconditionally, but He does extend salvation to those who receive it through faith and obedience to His commands (Heb. 5:9).
God is Longsuffering: God’s love is further demonstrated in His longsuffering character. 2 Peter 3:9 teaches, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Had God sent Jesus to judge the world already, some who are now saved would still be lost. Because God does not wish for anyone to be lost, He has suffered mistreatment from mankind without rendering immediate vengeance.
God is Faithful: Though God is longsuffering, 2 Peter 3:10 teaches that there will come a time when God will send His Son to judge the world. Assurance of this Day rests in God’s faithfulness.
Titus 1:2 says that God “cannot lie.” This passage emphasizes the surety of eternal life for the righteous. God’s faithfulness also assures that He will send the unrighteous to eternal punishment in hell (Matt. 25:46). God will do as He’s said.
Another application of God’s faithfulness is seen in 1 Corinthians 10:13. God in His faithfulness provides us the opportunity to obey Him. As difficult as temptations may be, we always have a choice to do right, because our faithful God makes it so.
May we consider what Scripture says about who God is, and be thus motivated to give our lives wholeheartedly to Him.
– Michael Hickox