Term “Nature of God”
- “Nature of God” refers to God’s attributes and qualities. Basically, it is Who God is and What he does.
- God’s nature is revealed both in His qualities and His names.
- Creation reveals who God is. It speaks of God’s greatness.
- The Word of God reveals the nature of God to us.
- We can know the nature of God by knowing Jesus, because it is written that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
- Anything that happens that does not align with God’s nature is not of God. Jesus healed every sick. person who came to Him. Therefore, sickness is not of God.
- Our prayer life is impacted when we do not have a clear understanding of God’s nature.
Attributes of God that reveal His nature
- God is Eternal
- No one made God.
- God always existed.
- God is not dependent on something else for his existence.
- God is Creator
- We are all created beings, because God made us.
- We have a beginning. We also have a physical end.
- All things were created in Him, through Him, for Him.
- God is a Spirit-Person
- God does not have a physical body like us.
- However, He is not formless. The Bible reveals that God has a form like us. He has hands, eyes, ears, feet, and so on.
- God also has feelings and emotions like us—He loves, He cares, He laughs, He weeps, He is angered, He forgives.
- He is a Person and hence He is a personal God.
- Therefore, God desires a relationship with his creation.
- The Bible describes Him as Father. He considers us believers in Christ as sons and daughters and part of His family.
- Bible records that God also takes on a physical appearance.
- God is All Powerful
- The power of God is unlimited.
- However, there are certain things that God will not do: He will never be unfaithful, He will never lie, and He will never stop loving. He cannot do these because they are opposite to His character and nature.
- God’s power is released through His Word.
- God is All-knowing
- Bible says, His understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5).
- Bible says, God is perfect in knowledge (Job 37:16).
- God declares end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).
- God is Present Everywhere
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- God fills heaven and earth (Jeremiah 23:24).
- in God we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
- We cannot hide from God’s spirit. We cannot flee from His presence (Psalm 139:7).
- God is Triune
- God is God the Father, God is God the Son, and God is God the Spirit all at the same time.
- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are all eternal, equal, and are to be worshipped.
- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit work as one, in unity, and harmony.
- God is Infinite
- God is limitless. He cannot be measured, contained, or fully grasped.
- God is Supreme. Nothing supersedes God.
- God always existed, and will always exist.
- God is Holy
- God is untouched by any form of evil.
- In God’s sight, there is no small sin or big sin. Any manner of sin is equally displeasing to God.
- God does not tempt anyone, we are tempted by our own desires.
- God’s holiness demands the shedding of blood for sin.
- The blood of Jesus meets the requirements of God’s holiness. So it gives us access to the presence of God.
- God is Righteous
- God delights in righteousness.
- God only does what is right according to His own law. Whatever rule He makes, He Himself submits to it.
- God only commands us to do what is right according to His own law.
- God is Sovereign
- God is a monarch. God is a king. He is not an elected prime minister or an elected president.
- In His Sovereignty, God has given man free will. God respects man’s choice.
- God is secure in His sovereignty. He is not afraid to give up control.
- Man’s freedom to choose does not weaken God’s sovereignty.
- Man’s choices have consequences.
- God is Just
- God does not show any favoritism or partiality in judgment.
- Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 97:2).
- God has justified those who have sinned by sending Jesus to be their Saviour. We only need to turn from our sins.
- God is Truthful
- God is truthful and He cannot lie.
- Jesus Himself is truth.
- God’s word is truth.
- It is impossible for God to lie.
- God is Faithful
- God keeps His promises.
- God is a covenant-keeping God.
- God cannot be unfaithful.
- We can absolutely rely on His word.
- He will never leave us nor forsake us.
- God is Loving
- God is Love.
- God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
- God so loved us that He sacrificed His one and only begotten Son for us (John 3:16).
- God is Merciful and Gracious
- Grace = we getting what we do not deserve, i.e. blessings.
- Mercy = we not getting what we deserve, i.e. punishment.
- God has always been gracious and merciful.
- God’s grace brings us salvation.
- God’s grace is a gift from Him.
- God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
- God is Unchanging
- He is the Lord and He does not change (Malachi 3:6).
- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
- Even though the covenants changed from the Old to the New, God did not change. He only revealed Himself through Jesus. He always has been long suffering and merciful.
The Names Of God Reveal His Nature
The various names of God used in the Bible tell us about His character and being.
- ADONAI – Lord, Sovereign.
- ELOHIM (THEOS in Greek) – Source of all creation, The powerful God.
- El-Shaddai – The Almighty, The Generous One, All-Sufficient One.
- El-Elyon – The Most High God.
- El-Olam – The Everlasting God.
- El-Roi – The God who sees.
- I AM that I AM – God is Eternal, Self-sufficient, and Self-existent One.
- YAHWEH – The Lord.
- Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer.
- Jehovah Nissi – The Lord our Banner and Victory.
- Jehovah Jireh – The Lord our Provider.
- Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our Peace.
- Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts.
- Jehovah Mekoddishkem – The Lord our Sanctifier.
- Jehovah Roi – The Lord our Shepherd.
- Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness.
- Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is Present.
Bibliography
Foundation Track 1 by Pastor Ashish Raichur
What Are the Names of God in the Bible? (christianity.com)