Who and What is God: The Age-Old Question

The question of who and what God is has been asked for centuries. While human understanding can never fully grasp the infinite nature of God, the Bible gives us profound insights into His character, nature, and relationship with humanity. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things, and He reveals Himself through creation, Scripture, and ultimately, through Jesus Christ. Let’s break down what the Bible teaches about who God is.

God is the Creator of All Things

The Bible begins by declaring God as the Creator: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God is the source of everything—visible and invisible. He created the universe, the earth, and all living beings, including humanity, whom He made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). This means that God is not a created being but eternal, existing outside of time and space.

Implications of God as Creator:

He is all-powerful (omnipotent): His power is evident in the complexity and vastness of creation.

He is intentional: Everything He creates has purpose and design, including us.

God is Eternal and Unchanging

God exists outside of time and has no beginning or end. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” In addition to being eternal, God is unchanging (immutable). Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the Lord do not change.” His character, promises, and purposes remain consistent throughout eternity.

Why This Matters:

Because God doesn’t change, we can trust His promises and depend on His faithfulness. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

God is All-Knowing, All-Present, and All-Powerful

God is not limited by human constraints. The Bible teaches that:

He is all-knowing (omniscient): God knows everything—past, present, and future. Psalm 139:4 says, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

He is all-present (omnipresent): God is everywhere at all times. Psalm 139:7-8 says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?”

He is all-powerful (omnipotent): Nothing is impossible for God (Jeremiah 32:17).

These attributes reveal that God is sovereign over all creation. Nothing escapes His notice, and nothing is beyond His ability to accomplish.

God is Holy

Holiness is one of God’s defining characteristics. To be holy means to be set apart, pure, and perfect. God’s holiness is mentioned repeatedly in Scripture, such as in Isaiah 6:3: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin. This holiness is what sets Him apart from humanity and reveals our need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

God is Love

One of the most profound revelations of God is found in 1 John 4:8: “God is love.” This means that God’s very nature is love, and all His actions are motivated by love.

God’s love is demonstrated through:

Creation: He created humanity to share in a loving relationship with Him.

Redemption: Despite humanity’s sin, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could be reconciled to Him (John 3:16).

Relationship: God desires a personal relationship with each of us and invites us into His family as His children (1 John 3:1).

God is Just and Merciful

While God is loving, He is also just. He is the righteous judge who cannot ignore sin (Psalm 7:11). Yet, His justice is perfectly balanced with His mercy. Through Jesus Christ, God provided a way for justice and mercy to coexist. Jesus bore the penalty for sin on the cross so that we could receive forgiveness and grace (Romans 3:25-26).

God is Triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

One of the unique aspects of God is His triune nature—He is one God in three persons:

God the Father: The Creator and Sustainer of all things, who sent His Son to save the world.

God the Son (Jesus Christ): The Word made flesh (John 1:14), who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again to give us eternal life.

God the Holy Spirit: The Comforter and Guide who dwells in believers, empowering them to live for God (John 14:26).

The Trinity shows us that God exists in perfect unity and relationship within Himself, and it provides a model for how we should live in community with others.

God is Personal

God is not a distant deity, uninvolved in the world. Instead, He is personal and relational. He desires to know us intimately and invites us to know Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Through prayer, Scripture, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can experience a close relationship with God.

What Does This Mean for Us?

1. We Are Made for a Relationship with God

Because we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), our purpose is found in knowing and glorifying Him. Life has its fullest meaning when we are in a right relationship with God.

2. We Can Trust Him Completely

God’s eternal, unchanging nature means He is worthy of our trust. He is faithful to His promises and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

3. We Have Hope Through Jesus

God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross, where Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Through faith in Him, we are reconciled to God and given the gift of eternal life.

4. We Are Called to Reflect His Character

As His children, we are called to reflect God’s love, holiness, and mercy in the way we live and interact with others (Ephesians 5:1-2).

God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things. He is holy, loving, just, and merciful. While His nature is beyond full human comprehension, He has revealed Himself to us through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ.

God is not a distant being, but a personal and relational God who desires to know and be known by us. Understanding who God is shapes how we view ourselves, our purpose, and our relationships with others. The more we seek Him, the more we discover the depth of His love and the life-changing power of His presence.

Have questions or concerns about this topic? Send me a message—I’d be happy to continue the conversation with you.