Who is This Creator?
It seems that more and more when talking with people about whom God is, and His characteristics, that their perception of God is more of their own making rather than what is revealed through the Scriptures. This invariably leads to a form of idolatry and total misunderstanding of who God is. The most common perversion of God’s character is to make “love” the only characteristic He has. This usually leads to these believing that God loves everybody so much He would not send anybody to hell. Just to let them see the illogical consequences of such theology an inquiry about Hitler is made. Somehow God cannot love Hitler enough, and he has to go to hell. The sad thing is few realize that what they are basically stating as their theology is that you only have to be better than Hitler to get to heaven. They have, by perverting who God is and who He reveals himself to be, lost the ability to spread the gospel of Christ and teach others what must be done to receive salvation.
If there was no written revelation of who God was, we would only be able to imagine who would fill that inner part of us God is to fill. The Bible is the only true revelation as to who God the creator is. No other “religious” books reveal the truth of God. The Bible is unique as it was written by God for man to come to know Him. No other book has the power nor is the more misaligned and misquoted.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
For a realistic understanding of theology and a proper view of reality one must understand who God is as he has revealed Himself through the Holy Scriptures.
The Book of Revelation warns not to add or subtract anything from that special revelation from Christ to the church yet people everyday ignore what God has revealed about Himself through the Scriptures. They pervert and malign His character and accuse Him falsely of what they perceive of as crimes against them and humanity when the real problem is lack of understanding and disbelief.
God does not want to be a stranger to anybody so He took the time to have His message written for our benefit so we could know him. Apart from His divine revelation through the Scriptures there would be no way to know Him for sure and everyone would make a god in their own image to worship.
What are the attributes that make our Creator who He is? The attributes of God are the essential qualities of a perfect and complete Being, in other words the properties or characteristics that make Him totally divine. He exists apart from any created thing both spiritual and physical and without dependency or need of anything to continue His existence.
The Omnipotence of God—This means that God is all-powerful, and all-mighty. He controls all the power in all the created things and all power that exists in any dimension, place or time.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
All things are possible with God.
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2)
Is it then possible for God to sin? Never. Even though God has all the power that has ever existed, He can never be contrary to His Holiness. Does this negate the fact that all things are possible with God? Never. God is able to do all things; nothing is impossible for Him, but because of His unchanging Divine nature, He would never act in a way contrary to His Holiness. God controls all power within the framework of His supreme nature and will never act in a way different from what He has stated.
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
All the wonderful mysteries of God are possible, even the salvation of sinful men through Jesus Christ.
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ “Is anything too difficult for the L ORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:11-14)
There is only one thing that can limit God, and that is His own Holy will. This is done by His own free will according to His purity of action and perfection in being Holy. God is not a man that he should lie, it is contrary to His character and that, He cannot and will not do.
God has power over nature. He controls everything in this created universe to the point of sustaining it all by the power of His right hand.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. (Psalms 33:6-9)
The power of nature is sometimes scary and awesome. The hurricane and the tornado are both fearful and powerful forces yet God controls infinitely more power in His small finger. Modern man stands in awe at the power of nature’s storms yet seems to forget that He is infinitely more awesome in power.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; (Haggai 2:6).
God controls all of nature and in His goodness he established the physical laws so we could understand our environment and be able to depend on its consistency. If we could not have certain physical laws or forces such as gravity, we would not be able to know how to live on this planet.
The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD lath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:3-6)
God controls everything in nature, the seasons, the rains, the birth of animals, the extinction of animals, everything is in His hand. He causes it to rain on the just and the unjust. Since God created everything in nature it only makes logical sense that He controls it now.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3)
God spoke all things into existence, unlike man God did not need any tools or machines, He merely spoke and it came to be. That is Power.
God has power over men.
And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. (Exodus 4:11-12)
God created all men that have ever existed or will ever exist.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalms 139:14)
While God does give us free will, He still has power over us. He could force us to be robots that obeyed without question, but God does not desire that kind of relationship. He desires a relationship with those who choose to be faithful and obedient.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (James 4:12-15)
He controls our length of days and what we do; only by God’s good pleasure do we do anything. Does this mean we have no responsibility for our actions? Never, we will give an account for all deeds done in this life.
God has power over angels. Angels are created beings just as men are. Many of them have a created holiness because they did not rebel like the demons did. They have never sinned; if they had they could never stay in the presence of God. But all created things are subject to our Father.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35)
God has power over Satan. Satan is subject to God as is any other created being. The following two verses from Job show that God has power over Satan. He was unable to touch Job without God allowing it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:12)
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (Job 2:6)
These verses clearly show how Satan’s power is limited by God. Satan was limited first to everything but the man, the next time he was limited to not taking Job’s life. Satan could do nothing apart from God’s permission. The rest of the book shows that Satan could not go past the limitations that God placed upon him.
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)
The fact is that God says he is already a defeated enemy.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:2-3)
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
The finality of Satan’s destruction is joy to the hearts of all those who come to realize his deception and lies, and escape the consequences of following the same path. The devil goes around as a roaring lion to see who he can devour, only those keeping their eyes upon Jesus and wearing the armor of faith can successfully thwart him.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32)
Since God has defeated all our enemies, we can also live victoriously in Christ.
God has power over death. Since death is a created thing, and God has control over all of His creation, it is only logical that He has control over death. Death and the grave are listed as enemies to God’s beautiful creation, but Christ defeated those last enemies for us.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Ultimately even death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)
The Omniscience of God—This describes the fact that God is “All-Knowing.” God knows everything, how many atoms are in the universe, the names of all His angels, and everything about everyone who has ever existed or that will ever exist.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (I John 3:20)
And the Spirit of the L ORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. (Ezekiel 11:5)
God’s omniscience includes all nature. He knows everything concerning His creation, those creations He gave life, and all inorganic creations.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. (Psalms 147:4)
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28)
God knows everything about every one of His creatures.
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30)
He is also keenly aware and has full knowledge of all men.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8)
He knows what we need at all times. He also knows our thoughts, even the deepest thoughts we do not share with anyone.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (Psalms 139:2) The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (Psalms 94:11)
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou for- sake him, he will cast thee off ever. (I Chronicles 28:9)
Everything about us God knows already!
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
God searches and knows the heart of every man on earth, those who are His children and those who are not, He knows them all.
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men,) (I Kings 8:39)
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (Psalms 44:21)
In Acts 1:24 the apostles state that the Lord knows the hearts of all men. God is also fully aware of all of our experiences; He knows our thoughts and attitudes about everything.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; (Exodus 3:7)
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
He totally knows and understands everything about the human condition. No man has the ability to deceive God!
God’s omniscience covers all time. God knows everything at any given point in time. He is the creator of time and time only exists because He created it.
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:18)
He knows the present, past and the future with complete accuracy.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (I Peter 1:20)
God’s plans will not be thwarted in the future; they are as solid as any event that has already happened. He controls the future. He proves his control of the future by telling what would happen in the future in amazing detail.
And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee. (I Kings 13:2)
History shows God’s control of the world; every one of His words will come to pass as many have already done so.
God’s omniscience includes all possibilities. Only God can answer “what if” questions. He alone knows the consequences of an event happening or not happening. He alone knows the answer to any alternate of our universe where things did not happen the way they did here in this one. Since those would also be created, if they do exist, then God would know every fact involved with them also. He would of course control any “what ifs” if they ever happened in this physical realm. He controls the “what if” of any choice ever made.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Mat- thew 11:23)
Had Sodom seen the mighty works of Jesus then Sodom would have repented and not been destroyed.
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me. (Isaiah 48:18)
The Omni-sapience of God—By this we mean “All-Wisdom.” God has all wisdom. Already we see that God has all knowledge, and now we see He has “all-wisdom.” Knowledge is what one knows, wisdom is the perfect display of that knowledge, including discernment and judgment.
Choice of the Highest End. God is as high as it gets, there is nothing higher than God, nothing above Him for Him to strive for. He is already perfect in Himself and cannot improve. The highest end is Himself. God’s wisdom sees that all things are chosen which will bring about the highest end for His glory.
Best Way of Securing that End. Here God’s wisdom not only chooses that which will bring about the Highest End for His glory, but it also devises the best way of securing that end.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)
When God establishes a plan it is efficient and accomplishes the most with the least amount of His influence. The following verses tell about our wise God:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (I Corinthians 2:7)
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3: 10-11)
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (I Timothy 1:17)
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:27)
God has “All-Wisdom,” yet he is willing to give to His people.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
The Omnipresence of God—“Omnipresent” simply means everywhere present. God is everywhere, but He is not “in” everything. Belief that He is in everything is Pantheism, He is not in everything, He is simply everywhere at the same time. God is not bound by physical creation as we are so He simply IS at all times and places. God transcends all barriers of the created universe including space, any physical materials, time, and all things. He manifests Himself in Heaven and from there He is able to be present everywhere because of who He is.
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. (I Kings 8:30)
No one can hide themselves from His presence because He is everywhere.
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:24)
God’s dwelling place is in Heaven as the following scriptures show:
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)
God has manifested Himself on earth at times even though His dwelling place is in Heaven.
And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. (Exodus 3:4)
He called to Moses from the burning bush. He also manifested Himself in the Pillar of the Cloud and Pillar of Fire. He manifested Himself on earth through the incarnate word, Jesus Christ.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
God in the person of the Holy Spirit is everywhere. He lives in His people.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)
The Holy Spirit is also with unbelievers to work His good pleasure.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:7-8)
As Jonah also learned there is no place we can go to get away from the presence of the Living God. God exists at any created level of reality or non created level of reality if they exist, because he exists in all places and all time frames. He exists or is present in more realities than the human mind can comprehend with total control and power.
The Eternity of God—God is without beginning and without end. The finite human mind cannot comprehend not having a beginning point and never, ever ending. God is the only person who has this ability or quality in Himself.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall he changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Psalms 102:24-27)
He is the “Always Being,” He has always been, and He will always be. There is no end, or beginning, to our awesome God; He is the Alpha and the Omega of existence itself. Time is a created thing; God in Three Persons existed before time was ever created because He created it. Genesis 1:1 starts at the point when time started and also when compared to John 1:1-2 it is easy to see that Jesus was already part of the Trinity and has existed forever with the Father. If time ever stops existing, God will continue on even beyond the end of time.
The Immutability of God—This means that God is “Unchanging” or “Unchangeable.” He is consistent to what He is.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
As the Son is, so is the Father. God is perfect and complete; there is no need for change. Perfection cannot be made better. He cannot change and stop being “All- powerful,” neither can He stop knowing everything. Nothing inside Him can change Him and no external force can change Him. His Being, attitude, and actions are without change or variableness.
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
God does not vary from His plan of action; He does not turn from His Holiness and Purity.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: (Hebrews 6:17)
His word or promise cannot be changed by any power or principality in Heaven or below.
The Love of God—The fact that God loves us is not obvious to man in a cursed world. The world we live in is not kind; God’s love is not overwhelming to the carnal mind. The way we learn about God’s love for us is in His revealed word. God’s love, like His other attributes, is Holy and Pure.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (I John 4:8-16)
God’s love is not given to us because we deserve it or because we are lovable.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
God’s love still does not change His Holiness or Purity. He still does not tolerate sin in any way shape or form and repentance is necessary before God will fellowship with any man. God’s love is the most misunderstood of His attributes. Because of His great love too many people forget His justice, which is Holy and Pure in form, which requires a penalty for sin. Since God is Love, then there must be someone upon whom His love is bestowed. God Loves His Son.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)
God loves believers, for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are the objects of God’s divine love.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
God loves Israel; He loves the people through whom He sent His laws and His Son who fulfilled the Law.
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3)
God never changes in His attitude toward sin, yet God still loves sinners.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) (Ephesians 2:4-5)
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
The Mercy of God—The Mercy of God is infinite and inexhaustible within His Divine nature, which disposes God to be actively compassionate. God has always dealt in mercy with mankind and will always deal in justice when His mercy is despised. Forever His mercy stands, a limitless, overwhelming immensity of divine compassion. As judgment is God’s justice confronting moral inequity, so mercy is the goodness of God confronting human suffering and guilt. It is because of human misery and sin that God reveals His great mercies.
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (Deuteronomy 4:31)
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalms 103:8)
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; (Psalms 103:17)
Many people are confused with the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. They mistakenly think that God is mean and judgmental in the Old Testament, yet Jesus showed great compassion in the New Testament. Nothing could be further from the truth; God is consistent in His mercies throughout all of history. More is written in the Old Testament about God’s mercy than in the New.
Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. (Psalms 130:7)
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalms 145:8-9)
Psalms 136 is nothing but giving glory for the mercies of God with examples of His mercy.
O give thanks unto the L ORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bastian: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 136)
The mercy of God is also easily seen in the New Testament.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) (Ephesians 2:4-5)
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13)
There is very little difference in the meaning of mercy and grace. Grace is like mercy and loving-kindness together. Mercy is given to the disobedient, while loving-kindness is showered on the obedient: both together are grace. God’s mercy manifests itself by the pardon given to sinners, by removing our earned guilt and penalty, by saving those in peril, and by saving any object upon which it is bestowed.
The Grace of God—The grace of God toward us is unmerited favor. We are able to have God’s favor not because of anything we ever did. He did it all. He gives the gift of grace and salvation freely even though we could not pay the penalty for our transgressions. For someone to understand grace they must first understand their position with God. We all live under a death penalty for our sins; when we claim the Blood of Jesus, that is what God sees from that point on; we no longer appear as the convict on death row that we are.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)
Grace allows us to pass from death unto life and establishes a new relationship with our Heavenly Father.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (I Peter 5:10)
Grace declares the saint to be righteous. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23 -24)
The act of God’s grace puts the righteousness of God to the account of the believing sinner.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)
Grace imparts a new nature to the saint.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Because Grace is an attribute that makes God perfect, God saves us by His Grace. God’s Grace also gives us instruction.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11-12)
The Faithfulness of God—The meaning of “Faithfulness” is to stay, lean, prop, or support. God is always there to lean upon and prop us up in our human frailties; He is our great support in which we can do all things. Unfaithfulness seems to be rampant in today’s world, but God is always faithful with the support we need. He never turns away from us and is always there for us. He will always be faithful to His people.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)
God is faithful to His people, yet He will also be faithful to carry out His word in all circumstances.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Corinthians 1:9)
God is faithful in walking with us in our daily lives.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (I Thessalonians 5:24)
God not only will be with us always, but He will work His good pleasure in our lives empowering us to be like Him, full of the Spirit and walking in obedience.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you front evil. (II Thessalonians 3:3)
God is faithful in keeping His promise. The promise of a virgin-born son in Isaiah 7:9 is fulfilled in Luke 1:26-38; 2:7. The promise of God to Abraham in Genesis 15:13, that his descendants would go to Egypt and stay there four hundred years in fulfilled in Exodus 12:41. We must follow the example of God’s faithfulness, and not waver in being faithful to Him.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wa- vering; (for he is faithful that promised,) (Hebrews 10:23)
We still have many promises from God that we depend on.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
He promises to be with us always even to the end of this world, and because He is who He is, He will be. He also promises to come back for His children; we must have patience and be faithful until He returns for us.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:36-38)
God is faithful in preserving His people. The history of the nation of Israel shows God’s great desire to provide for His people. Because of their unfaithfulness, they did not receive the great blessings they could have, but they were preserved as a nation for hundreds of years. The seed of Abraham is like the sand. Even though they were not faithful and punishment came upon them as a nation, God always preserved some to Himself.
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22- 23)
For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. (Jeremiah 51:5)
God will do His good pleasure in preserving His people Israel. We today also have such great promise.
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (I Peter 4:19)
God is faithful in chastening His children. We need correction when we are disobedient to God, and God is faithful to discipline us for our well being. He never desires one of His to remain in disobedience as this would be contrary to who He is.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:6-11)
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Psalms 119:75)
When God disciplines us it is not because He gets a joy out of our suffering, it is to draw us into repentance and restoration into fellowship with Him, because He cannot have fellowship with sin.
God is faithful in forgiving our sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)
One of Christ’s most blessed messages to man was the fact that we could lean upon our Father for forgiveness of sins. God is faithful in forgiving those who repent and call upon His name; if this could not be depended on then there would be no “good news.” We could not have fellowship with God if there was not forgiveness of sin. The scriptures also make it plain, that we too must be forgiving.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37)
God is faithful in answering our prayers. God tells us to pray without ceasing in I Thessalonians 5:17. Would God tell us to do something that would go unheeded? That is contrary to His nature, He never wastes His time, nor would He have us waste ours. Jesus gave us the example to pray, and He also taught us how. Improper relationships can adversely affect our prayers but never will God turn away from hearing a prayer of a repentant sinner. It is Spiritual Law that God has established and would never allow exception. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord in truth for repentance will be heard and answered.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. (Psalms 143:1)
God’s faithfulness will preserve us from worry; it will keep us from murmuring against His Holy name and will increase our confidence in God.
The Holiness of God—The Holiness of God is so vast there is no created thing that can be compared to it. Holiness is infinitely beyond being sinless even. Holiness is an infinite chasm which nothing could ever cross to obtain—farther than the stars are from us, and that is nothing in comparison to Holiness above even what the created mind of man can think. The Holiness of God is the main attribute God wants His people to know about Him.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:2-3)
God’s Holiness cannot even be compared to the angels who have never sinned, while they have a form of holiness because they have not sinned, it pales to darkness when the infinite Holiness of God is even thought upon. God is Holy with absolute Holiness that knows no limit or bounds, and this He cannot impart to any created thing.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15)
But a form of this Holiness is available through the blood of the Lamb.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
God desires His people to be holy and for them to know He is Holy.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. (Leviticus 19:1-2)
God’s Holiness demands holiness in return; if not for His everlasting mercy, there could be no salvation.
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. (Joshua 24:19)
Holiness is to extend into every aspect of our daily lives.
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (I Peter 1:15-16)
The Purity of God—God is the only pure, uncontaminated being. He can never be defiled in any way because He cannot change. He is pure in His being and cannot in any way be affected by any kind of source that would change His purity. He is complete and perfect and is Pure God, no additives or fillers. Maybe purity is better understood as the absence of anything foreign to what He is.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5)
God compares His purity to the pureness of light, free from any defilement. God in His holiness is pure: free from all that defiles and pure in essence.
The Righteousness of God—God is always right. He can never do anything that is wrong, and every act he does will be right. It is God’s character to do everything right; He is incapable of doing a deed that is not righteous in character. God never asks of anyone something that is not right and would never command us to do something contrary to His law.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Righteous art thou, O L ORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? (Jeremiah 12:1)
Jesus made it clear that God was righteous.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou halt sent me. (John 17:25)
This very character of God, His pure and holy righteousness, brings up the wrath of God that is building toward all those who desire rebellion and evil and will not willfully give their affection and obedience to the Creator that rightly deserves them.
The Justice of God—Justice embodies the idea of moral equity, and inequity is the exact opposite. Inequity is the absence of equality from human thoughts and actions. Judgment is the application of equity to moral situations and may be favorable or unfavorable according to whether the one under examination has been equitable or inequitable in heart and conduct.
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. (Zephaniah 3:5)
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psalms 89:14)
The promise of Christ also revolves around the justice of God.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)
Righteousness is the legislative demand of God, His demand for holiness. Justice is judicial holiness, the judicial act of God that which demands a penalty for those who have desired rebellion. Justice governs those who are judged, and that brings about execution of those found guilty of breaking God’s holy commands. Either the person found guilty must pay or the only acceptable substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, must pay. Man’s justice is not always correct, but the justice of God is always correct and complete.
The Truth of God—That which God has revealed in His Word is Eternal Truth, and God never contradicts Himself. Scoffers act as if there are great contradictions in the Word of God, but they fail to realize that truth is upheld by every aspect of the whole of truth and that sometimes facts approach that truth from exactly opposite points. Consider a circle with a line running perpendicular from the plane of that circle. The truth of that line would be supported by a fact from every degree that surrounds it. One aspect taken out of perspective would cause the line to fall toward the plane of the circle, for the truth to stand it must be supported from all angles with the same force or the truth would be leaning or perverted. God’s Word is totally balanced and accurate; it is sinful man that cannot understand truth.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalms 25:5)
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10)
God can never lie; it is contrary to Himself and His perfection. He is incapable of falsehood or deceit.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. (Numbers 23:19-20)
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (Psalms 86:15)
The Glory of God—The glory of God is demonstrated by His power over all things, His perfect character and by the deeds He has performed to glorify Himself. He has brought glory to himself by the miracles recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. He has brought glory to Himself by preserving His Word so mankind can know the truth. He has glorified Himself through creation whereby no men are without excuse. Now He glorifies Himself even through us who walk in obedience.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)
The Jealousy of God—Jealousy is considered evil in sinful men, and most of the time it is, but there is a righteous jealousy demonstrated by our Creator. God even names Himself Jealous.
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. (Exodus 34:14-16)
These verses also show how God is jealous as the relationship between God and His people is compared to the marriage relationship. If we are “married” to God, and we put anything or anyone in His place, we are prostituting our commitment to Him, and since He loves us so much, He is jealous of what is rightfully His. This is righteous jealousy and also an example for us. A man that is not jealous if his spouse is giving affection to someone other than him is absolutely abnormal and has no love for his spouse. God is jealous of His relationship with His people.
Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:23-24)
God is complete and perfect. He cannot be changed by learning new information because he already knows it all. He holds all things together by the power of His right hand. He has good plans for those who love Him.
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
He sent His only son to pay a debt we could never pay. He has sent us a comforter and prepares a place for us even now. He will return for us soon. God is the only One worthy of all our love, strength, time and praise. God is Awesome!