WHAT ARE SOME OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES?
How do they effect us as believers?
We believe that every Christian should examine and study in depth that which God has revealed to us about Himself. Ultimately what we think God is like will be the very foundation used to form our beliefs about Him and His truths. We have tried to limit our responses to certain aspects of God attributes that we feel have been most enlightening to us. First let us say that God has transferable and non-transferable attributes. At a later date we will take a look at some of His transferable attributes when we do a topic on the Fruit of the Spirit. Now we will look at some of His non-transferable attributes, which are those attributes that distinguish the difference between God and His created beings. In today’s society everyone including Christians want to make God like them. God is not like us, which He states very clearly in this scripture. Ps.50:21 "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes."
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God is Infinite (Without Limitations)
God is incomprehensible. No human mind has the ability to grasp a complete understanding of God. Humans being in every aspect are Finite (Having Limits). Therefore it would be impossible for an Infinite object to be place into a Finite space.
HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT US?
First of all just because God is incomprehensible does not mean that we know nothing about Him and that we are unable to understand His truths. It only means that we are limited to our comprehension and knowledge. Limited by the fact we are human beings and more importantly limited by God, Himself. God reveals to us only that which He chooses to reveal. Our God is on a need to know bases with His people…What we need to know God reveals. The awesome thing which should humble us is that even in the simplest of truths there lie the depths and riches of an Infinite God.
Scripture readings: Psalm 139:1-18, Romans 11:33-36 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 -
God is Self-Existent (Is, Was, Always Will Be)
The bible reveals to us that God is the Creator of the entire Universe. This would mean that He is not created. That God has within Himself the power of being or existing. Unlike His creation, God Self-Exists which means He does not need any outside source to help Him to exist.
HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT US?
This attribute defines the very core difference between God Creator and Creation. God like us cannot recreate Himself, but unlike us God can be self-existent. This separates Him from His creation making Him a Supreme Being and the source of all other beings. He tells us that His attributes and glory are witnessed in His creation, but He and He alone is Supreme and the only thing that deserves worship. We have to depend on the power of God for us to exist. Acts. 17:18a "For in him we live, and move, and have our being;" People throughout the ages have ask the question "Why is there something rather than nothing." A necessary part of that answer has to be because God exists. Without Him there would be nothing rather than something.
Scripture readings: John 1:1-5, Acts 17:22-31, Colossians 1:15-20 and Revelation 1:8
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God is Omnipresent (being everywhere at once)
This attribute of all the attributes we are discussing, is perhaps the hardest one for a finite mind to comprehend and even harder for a finite mind to put into words. When we try to imagine God in all places at once we tend to visualize God is physically there in those places. As if He were sitting in a corner of the room, but we just can’t see Him. However, to even begin to understand God as being Omnipresent we need see God as a Spiritual being. As a Spirit, God does not actually occupy space; therefore, He is not restricted by space. It is not WHERE God is but THERE God is. To be in God’s presence is not God joining us in a place, but it is we joining Him in another dimension.
HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT US?
We should find comfort knowing that we have God’s undivided attention at all times. That we don’t have to call and make an appointment to be able to talk to Him. That all believers have the benefit of being in His presence at the very same time. Also by understanding this attribute believers should be convicted to watch their tongues and actions knowing that we are always in God’s presence. OOh, that truth surely hits home. Since God is Omnipresent there is no where in the universe that someone is able to hide from His presence.
Scripture readings: Psalm 139:7-10, Job 11:7-9, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Acts 17:22-31
- God is Omnipotent (Unlimited power)
When we look at this attribute of God, we usually think it means that God’s power enables Him to do anything. However, this is far from true. There is a question that has been around for years: "Can God make a rock that He can not move?" If we answered "Yes" He can. Then we are saying there is something God can not do. He can’t move that rock. If we say, "No" He can’t. We are also saying there is something God cannot do. He can’t make the rock. Either way we are placing limits on God. The dilemma of this question comes about because we incorrectly define Omnipotence. God’s power to do anything is restricted by His own nature. This means there are many things that God cannot do. To name a few: God cannot lie, He cannot sin, He cannot die, and most of all God can never cease being God. The correct definition of Omnipotence is that God cannot create anything that He doesn’t have power over. If He did then the created thing would become God. So if God made a rock and was unable to move the rock it would be more powerful and would then become God. God’s power is not limited by finite limitations but is confined by Who and What He is. God cannot go against His own will. That is the reason He cannot sin, because He never wills to.
HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT US.
Understanding the real meaning of this attribute should bring us great great security. To know that God will never give up His throne. It is impossible for God to ever cease being God. That no created thing can or will ever have power over Him. That no created thing can cause Him to go against His own purpose and/or His own will. Because that would mean God created something more powerful than He is powerful. If this were not true then there would be no truths about God. For there would always be a chance that some influence might cause Him to change them. Our salvation could never be secure in His hands. However; here is a scripture that gives us assurance this could never happen: Daniel 4:35 "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?"
Scripture readings: Psalm 115:3, Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:11
- God is Omniscience (To have all knowledge)
God is called the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1:8a "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,". That verse not only means He self-exists but also means that He has all knowledge. The words Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. By giving God these names the Greeks were saying that God has all knowledge that exist between those two letters. He knows; He comprehends everything that can form a word. Also, His knowledge is not bound by time. The past, present, and future are all apart of His knowledge, so He never has to learn something new. God’s knowledge of everything does not come because He is able to observe all things, in all times. Rather God has all knowledge because He created all things and willed all things to be. This is the only way He could have come by His all knowing. He is the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe Who has all control. It would be impossible for God not to be in control of all things at all times. And He couldn’t be in control of all things at all times without first having knowledge of those things. Unfortunately many proclaiming Christians will not accept this logical reasoning. Because somewhere the idea of God being all knowing also means that means that God’s thinking is drastically different from our. That God’s logic is different from our. The bible say Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Does this really mean that there is no logic in God’s thoughts or His ways? Or does it mean as we see in verse 11 that unlike our thought and ways His are Omnipotent and will have the power to do exactly what He purposes and wills with them. Isaiah 55:11 " So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it".
HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT US?
Because God has knowledge of all things He is not surprised by anything. So as situations occur in our lives we can be assured that they are never out of God’s knowledge and control. So in those times when we think that God can’t possibly know or understand how we feel or know what we are going through we can be assured He does. Also, God’s superior knowledge unlocks mysteries that we would never be able to do.
Scripture readings: Psalm 147:5, Acts 15:8, Romans 11: 33-36
Butch lets move on...
ISSUE 1
ISSUE 2
ISSUE 3
WEB SITE CREDITS, WEBRING LINKS & BANNERS
"AND WHEN THOU PRAYEST"
INSPIRATIONAL POEM #3
INSPIRATIONAL POEM #2
INSPIRATIONAL POEM #1
STATEMENT OF FAITH
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Questions & Answers:
THE EASTER QUESTION
IS GOD SOVEREIGN?
Guest Teachings:
THE LORD'S SUPPER, by Joe Slowiaczek
THE CONVENANTS, by Joe Slowiaczek
WATER BAPTISM, by Joe Slowiaczek
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