It seems there are as many different approaches and answers to this question as there are people. There is no greater quest than the quest for knowledge of God. Mere words cannot describe him fully. And He cannot be fully comprehended by mortal man, yet as believers in Christ we are persuaded that God can be described to some extent. We believe this is because the Bible describes God. And the Bible does have some pretty exciting things to say about God!
First of all, God is personal being. He is not a principle or philosophy of life. He is a personal being who relates to men and women. Jesus said, “God is spirit (John 4:24). He is not an ideal but is personal. He relates to people on a personal level. Just as people have the ability relate to others, God relates to us. He is a relational, personal being.
God is present everywhere, all-powerful and all knowing. It is hard to imagine being all-anything, right? God’s attributes are what make him uniquely God. To say that God is present everywhere is just a way of saying that there is nowhere a person could go to escape God’s presence. It’s a mind-bending kind of statement but it’s one that scripture teaches. In Psalm 139 David wrote, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” [Psalm 139:7-12]
God is also all-powerful. This means that God is not our equal—He is way above anything people could ever be! He is the Creator and sustainer of life. Everything that is in the world is here because God caused it to happen. He also sustains, maintains, nourishes, and supports our universe. Without Him our world would spin out of control. This is encouraging because God is the one who can help us in our time of need. Isaiah says, "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [Isaiah 40:28-31]
God is also all knowing. This is another mind-boggling statement but means that God knows everything that is possible to know; past, present and future. This is reassuring as Christians because we realize that God is someone who understands us. Isaiah asks, “Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” [Isaiah 40:13-14] And Romans says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” [Romans 11:33-36] Find out how you can take steps to follow God. Follow the link and study the WALK presentation. You will finds that God can be known and that knowing him is beyond mere personal opinion.
Posted on
Mon, February 22, 2010
by John Brimacombe