The Attributes of God: Knowing Who He Is

Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:6–7 — “And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.’”

Knowing God Personally

To know God is the greatest pursuit of life. The more we understand who He is, the more deeply we can trust, worship, and love Him. God has revealed His nature through His Word, His creation, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The attributes of God are not separate qualities added to His being — they are the fullness of who He is, perfectly unified and eternal.

Theologians often group God’s attributes into two categories: Incommunicable Attributes (those belonging to God alone) and Communicable Attributes (those He shares with humanity in part). Together, they paint a glorious picture of His perfection and character.

The Incommunicable Attributes of God

1. God is Eternal

Scripture: Psalm 90:2 — “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”

God has no beginning and no end. He exists outside of time, uncreated and everlasting. Every moment is present before Him. His eternal nature assures us that His promises never expire, His purposes never fail, and His presence is forever.

2. God is Self-Existent (Aseity)

Scripture: Exodus 3:14 — “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’”

God depends on nothing and no one. He exists by His own power and sustains all that exists. Unlike created beings who need air, food, and light, God is life itself. His self-existence reveals His absolute sufficiency — we rely on Him for everything, but He relies on no one.

3. God is Immutable (Unchanging)

Scripture: Malachi 3:6 — “I the Lord do not change.”

God’s character, promises, and purposes never shift with time or circumstance. While the world around us changes, He remains constant. This truth brings comfort — the same God who was faithful in Scripture is faithful today and forever.

4. God is Omnipresent

Scripture: Psalm 139:7–10 — “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?”

God is everywhere, fully present in every place and every moment. No darkness hides us from His sight, and no distance removes us from His care. His omnipresence means we are never alone — He is always near.

5. God is Omniscient

Scripture: 1 John 3:20 — “God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.”

God’s knowledge is complete and perfect. He knows the past, present, and future — every thought, word, and action. His wisdom sees what we cannot, guiding history and our lives according to His perfect plan. Nothing surprises Him, and nothing is hidden from Him.

6. God is Omnipotent (All-Powerful)

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17 — “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”

God’s power has no limits. He spoke creation into existence and sustains it by His word. His strength accomplishes all that He wills. The omnipotent God is never weary, never uncertain, and never defeated. His power is both infinite and personal — working all things for the good of those who love Him.

7. God is Sovereign

Scripture: Psalm 115:3 — “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.”

God rules over all creation with supreme authority. Every kingdom, every life, and every event ultimately falls under His control. His sovereignty is not harsh but wise and loving — ensuring that nothing happens outside His divine plan and purpose.

The Communicable Attributes of God

1. God is Holy

Scripture: Isaiah 6:3 — “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

To be holy means to be set apart, pure, and perfect in righteousness. God’s holiness is the essence of His being — utterly without sin or imperfection. His holiness exposes our need for grace and draws us to worship. Through Christ, we are called to share in His holiness by being transformed into His likeness.

2. God is Love

Scripture: 1 John 4:8 — “God is love.”

Love is not merely something God does; it is who He is. His love is unconditional, sacrificial, and everlasting. It is expressed most fully in Jesus’ death on the cross. Because of His love, we find forgiveness, adoption, and eternal life. Love is the defining mark of His nature and the command that defines our calling.

3. God is Just

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4 — “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.”

God’s justice ensures that He always does what is right. He cannot overlook sin, but He has provided righteousness through Christ. His justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross, where the penalty of sin was satisfied and grace made available to all.

4. God is Merciful

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 — “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”

Mercy is God’s compassion toward the undeserving. He withholds judgment and extends forgiveness to those who turn to Him. His mercy renews each day — covering our failures and inviting us back into fellowship with Him.

5. God is Faithful

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13 — “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”

God’s faithfulness means He keeps every promise and never fails His people. His Word is trustworthy, His character steadfast. In seasons of uncertainty, His faithfulness is our anchor — reminding us that He will finish what He began.

6. God is Good

Scripture: Psalm 34:8 — “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

Everything God does is good because His very nature is goodness. He delights in blessing His children and bringing beauty from brokenness. His goodness is seen in creation, in redemption, and in His daily provision. To know God is to know goodness itself.

7. God is Wise

Scripture: Romans 11:33 — “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”

God’s wisdom means He always chooses the best means to achieve the best ends. His decisions are perfect, even when we cannot see the full picture. When we trust His wisdom, we rest in the assurance that He knows what is best and works all things for His glory.

8. God is Patient

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9 — “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God’s patience reveals His heart of grace. He gives humanity time to repent and grow, enduring our failures with long-suffering love. His patience teaches us to extend the same gentleness and mercy toward others.

9. God is Compassionate

Scripture: Psalm 103:13 — “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”

God’s compassion moves Him to act on behalf of His people. He feels our pain, knows our struggles, and comforts us with His presence. His compassion is not distant sympathy but active love — healing, forgiving, and restoring hearts.

10. God is Truth

Scripture: John 14:6 — “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’”

Truth is not merely a concept; it is a person. God’s truth is absolute and unchanging, revealing reality as it truly is. His Word is truth, His promises are sure, and His nature is pure. Knowing the God of truth brings freedom and stability in a world of confusion.

Responding to Who God Is

Understanding God’s attributes is not just theology — it is worship. Every quality we’ve explored draws us to humility and awe. The more we know Him, the more we love Him, and the more we reflect His nature in our lives. The goal of theology is transformation, not information.

God is beyond full comprehension, yet He invites us to know Him personally. In Jesus Christ, the invisible God is made visible; the eternal Word becomes flesh. Through the Holy Spirit, we experience His power and presence each day. The study of His attributes should always lead us to adoration, surrender, and trust.

As believers, let our hearts echo David’s prayer: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name” (Psalm 86:11). To know God is to love Him — and to love Him is to reflect His glory in everything we do.