The Nature of God

The Bible emphasizes God's loving, compassionate, and forgiving nature, but also maintains his perfect righteousness, or morality, which cannot tolerate evil. In the entire biblical record of God's interaction with people, obviously there is much to be studied pertaining to the characteristics of God. There are also many questions about God's nature that are left unanswered, including aspects which are stated to be beyond our comprehension. This brief synopsis focuses on what the Bible emphasizes as the important characteristics of God.
  • God is loving, compassionate, and merciful toward people. He is also holy and righteous, and, therefore, requires just punishment for sin. 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. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. Exodus 34:6
  • God has an earnest desire to repair the fallen state of humankind. In spite of our inherent sinfulness, he loves us. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 God our Savior...wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Timothy 2:4
  • God knows each one of us intimately; he sees all our thoughts and actions. O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3
  • God is a single entity who has made himself known in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hear O Isreal: The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 Jesus answered...I and the Father are one. John 10:30 Now the Lord is the Spirit... 1 Corinthians 3:17
  • God possesses infinite power and wisdom, existing beyond the bounds of time and space. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power. Job 37:23 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29