To comprehend who God is, we must first recognize that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Genesis 1:1 declares, 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.' This foundational truth sets the stage for all biblical revelation. God is not part of creation; He transcends it. He is eternal, uncreated, and exists outside of time and space. This is a profound mystery, yet it is essential to our understanding of Him.
God is one, yet He exists in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This doctrine of the Trinity, while difficult to grasp fully, is clearly revealed in Scripture. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands us to baptize 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' indicating the co-equality and co-eternity of the three Persons.
As we delve deeper into understanding God, we encounter His attributes. These are characteristics that define His nature and reveal His greatness. God's holiness stands central to His being. Isaiah 6:3 proclaims, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' His holiness signifies His moral perfection and separation from sin.
God is also love. 1 John 4:8 states, 'Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.' This love is not an abstract concept but is demonstrated in the sacrificial death of Christ for our sins (Romans 5:8). God's love invites us into a relationship with Him, compelling us to love others in return.
Justice is another of God's attributes. He is a righteous judge who cannot overlook sin. Psalm 89:14 tells us, 'Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.' God's justice assures us that evil will not ultimately prevail and that He will right every wrong.
Understanding who God is leads us to His redemptive plan for humanity. From the very beginning, God has desired a relationship with His creation. After the fall in Genesis 3, He began a plan to restore that relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 encapsulates this truth: 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.'
Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to fulfill the requirements of the law and absorb the wrath of God on our behalf through His death on the cross. This act of grace is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice. Following His resurrection, He conquered sin and death, providing us with the hope of eternal life.
To know who God is involves more than intellectual understanding; it invites us into a personal relationship with Him. John 17:3 states, 'And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.' This relationship is nurtured through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and obedience to His commands.
Moreover, God's desire for intimacy with us is beautifully illustrated in Revelation 3:20, where He invites, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.' This imagery signifies fellowship and communion, illustrating that God is not distant but seeks to dwell among His people.
In summary, understanding who God is transforms our faith and lives. He is the eternal Creator, existing in three Persons, characterized by holiness, love, and justice. Through His redemptive plan in Jesus Christ, we are offered a personal relationship and eternal life. As we seek to know Him more, we are called to worship Him, live in obedience, and reflect His love in a world that desperately needs to encounter the one true God.
