Who is God? - Lesson 10
The existence of God has been called the greatest of all mysteries. The first words in the Bible are, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Have you noticed in reading the Bible that there is no effort made to prove the existence of God? The Bible presents the fact that God is, and that’s about the extent of it.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).
The emphasis here is on "believe that he is." This doesn’t mean there is no proof for the existence of God; it just means that the proof is based on faith. God requires us to believe he is, not prove he is in some mathematical or logical method. The proof for the existence of God, based on faith, is the most convincing proof every offered for any proposition.
"Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 19-20).
Manifest means to make something known. What we may know of God is clearly seen by looking at what God made. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psa. 19:1). To an intelligent mind, the existence of something created demands a creator. Any work means some one of some thing worked. Both work and creation require power. Psalm 62:11 says, "God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God."
The invisible attributes are evident in the handiwork of God. Invisible means "not accessible to view." We see many invisible things by what they produce. We see the wind, by observing leaves being lofted about or watching a windmill turn. God’s invisible attributes and power are seen in their effects.
An attribute is something that belongs to a person or thing that specifically identifies that person or thing for what it is. It is, "a quality or characteristic inherent in or ascribed to someone or something." There are certain inherent attributes of God.
First, there are natural attributes of God. Natural attributes are those that identify God as the rational, eternal being he is. They include:
1. Self-Existence: Life in God is inherent. He is life himself. John wrote, "In him was life and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). The Psalmist wrote, "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light" (Psa. 36:9). The life of a man, a vegetable, or an animal depends on an external source. God’s life can only be described as "is". God identified himself to Moses by saying, "I am the God of your father; the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exo. 3:6). When Moses asked who sent him to the children of Israel, God responded, "I AM WHO I AM" (verse 14).
2. Eternal: Self-existence suggests no beginning and no end. God is from everlasting to everlasting. "LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psa. 90:1-2). Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on "the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God" (Gen. 21:33).
3. Unity of God: The self-existent, eternal God is one and no more. There is but one God (1 Cor. 8:6). Jehovah excluded any other deity by saying, "Hear, O Israel, The Lord our Gopd is one Lord" (Deut. 6:4). The Psalmist wrote, "For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God" (Psa. 86:10).
4. Immutable: This word means unchanging. God is the unchanging element of all existence. "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob" (Mal. 3:6). The Hebrew writer says, "And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail" (Heb. 1:10-12). Read James 1:17.
5. Omnipresent: This means God has the choice to be anywhere or everywhere he chooses. You should read Psalm 139:7-12 before going further. The Hebrew Christians were told, "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Heb. 4:13).
6. Omnipotent: This means God has unlimited power. The power of God cannot be measured. It is limitless. He spoke and all the universe came into being (Heb. 11:3). Nehemiah said, "You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all" (Neh. 9:6).
7. Onniscience: This means God knows everything. His knowledge is infinite. "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite" (Psa. 147:5).
8. Absolute Holiness: God is void of anything impure. "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exo. 15:11).
These attributes lie behind the handiwork of God, and behind these attributes lies the very essence of God himself.
Questions for Study:
1. What is the best definition you know of for the word "God"?
2. Is it possible to prove God is?
3. What are "attributes" and what do they indicate?
4. In the following, place the appropriate number by the appropriate word matching it.
1. Self-Existence _____ Unlimited knowledge
2. Eternal _____ Void of impurity
3. Unity of God _____ Unlimited power
4. Immutable _____ Unlimited location
5. Omniscience _____ No beginning, no end
6. Omnipresence _____ Unchangeable
7. Omnipotence _____ God is one
8. Absolute Holiness _____ Inherent life
True or False:
1. It is impossible to prove God exists. True _____ False _____
2. God's word is proof he exists. True _____ False _____
3. Nature proves God exists. True _____ False _____
4. We can see God. True _____ False _____
5. God cannot change his nature. True _____ False _____
Thought Question:
How do the attributes listed in this lesson tell us what the essence (his basic nature) is?