The question “Who is God?” is the most important question anyone can ask, for everything—our existence, purpose, morality, and eternity—hinges on the answer. The Bible does not present God as a mystery left for speculation but as a self-revealing, personal, and knowable being. He has made Himself known through creation (Romans 1:20), Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), and ultimately through Jesus Christ (John 1:14). While many have differing views about God, Scripture stands as the ultimate authority in defining who He is, leaving no room for human imagination or idolatrous conceptions. The true and living God is one in essence yet three in person, infinite yet personal, transcendent yet immanently involved in His creation. He is both a holy Judge and a loving Father, both sovereign King and intimate Shepherd. Understanding who God is is not just an intellectual exercise but a foundational necessity for life itself.
The Bible begins with the bold declaration, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), affirming that God alone is the uncaused Cause, the eternal, self-existent Being upon whom all things depend. Unlike false gods fashioned by human hands or ideas, the God of the Bible does not derive His existence from anything or anyone—He simply is. This is why, when Moses asked for His name, God responded, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), a name signifying His absolute self-sufficiency and immutability. He does not change like shifting shadows (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17) nor does He grow, learn, or evolve, for He is perfect in all His ways (Deuteronomy 32:4). His eternality means He has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2), His omnipresence means He is everywhere at once (Psalm 139:7-10), and His omniscience means He knows all things—past, present, and future (Isaiah 46:9-10). Nothing happens outside of His sovereign will, for He declares, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9-10).
God is Triune (The Trinity)
Though God is one in essence, He exists as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not a contradiction but the doctrine of the Trinity, a divine mystery revealed in Scripture. The Father is fully God, the Son is fully God, and the Spirit is fully God, yet they are not three gods, but one. Jesus affirmed this when He commanded His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), showing that the one name of God belongs equally to all three persons.
The Trinity is seen in creation, where God speaks the universe into existence while the Spirit hovers over the waters (Genesis 1:1-2), and in Christ’s baptism, where the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). While human logic may struggle to comprehend such a concept, we must humbly submit to Scripture’s revelation that God is both one and three—a unity of persons within the Godhead.
How We Know God Personally
God’s Word is His primary means of revealing Himself to humanity. The Scriptures are not just a collection of religious writings but are God-breathed and profitable for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Through the Bible, we learn of His character, His will, and His redemptive plan. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Knowing God requires diligent study of His Word, for it is the ultimate authority on truth.
The clearest revelation of God is found in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:3 states, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Jesus Himself declared, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Christ fully displays the love, holiness, and power of God. He is not just a prophet or a moral teacher but God in the flesh, the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
The Holy Spirit actively works in the hearts of believers, illuminating Scripture, convicting of sin, and guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). He is our Helper, teaching us all things and reminding us of Christ’s words (John 14:26). Through the Spirit, we experience God’s presence and are empowered to live holy lives, bearing fruit that reflects His character (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Importance of Knowing God
-Eternal Life Depends on Knowing God
Jesus defined eternal life not merely as living forever but as “knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Salvation is not just about escaping judgment but about entering into a personal relationship with God. Without knowing Him, one remains spiritually dead, regardless of religious activity or moral effort.
-Knowing God Transforms Us
To know God rightly is to be transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 states that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being changed into His likeness. The more we understand His holiness, the more we grow in holiness. The more we grasp His love, the more we love others. Theology is not just knowledge—it is life-changing truth that conforms us to Christ’s image (Romans 12:2).
-Knowing God Gives Us Strength & Confidence
A right understanding of God removes fear and instills confidence. Daniel 11:32 declares, “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Knowing that God is sovereign over all things allows us to trust Him fully, even in trials. Isaiah 26:3 promises, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The deeper we know God, the firmer our foundation in the face of uncertainty.
God as Sustainer of Creation
God did not simply create the world and leave it to function independently. Rather, He continues to sustain and uphold all things. Colossians 1:16-17 says, "For by him all things were created… and in him all things hold together." This means that every breath we take, every rising of the sun, and every function of the universe is actively maintained by God's power. This truth gives us confidence and security. We are not at the mercy of chance, fate, or random forces; our lives are upheld by a personal, sovereign God who cares for His creation. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 6:26, reminding us that if God cares for the birds, how much more will He care for us?
Recognizing God as Creator calls us to worship. Revelation 4:11 declares, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Worshiping the Creator means acknowledging His greatness, surrendering to His authority, and living in obedience to His design. Additionally, creation itself serves as a testimony to God's existence and power. Romans 1:20 states that His invisible attributes are clearly seen in what He has made, leaving humanity without excuse. Studying creation should lead us to awe, gratitude, and humility before the One who made all things.
In light of all this, we must ask ourselves: Do we truly know God, or do we merely know about Him? Have we surrendered to Him as Lord, or are we holding onto a false version of Him that suits our preferences? The danger of idolatry is not limited to worshiping golden statues but includes misrepresenting God in our minds, crafting a version of Him that aligns with our desires rather than His revealed truth. The true God is holy, sovereign, loving, just, and infinitely glorious. He is not merely a distant Creator but an ever-present Father, not merely a righteous Judge but a gracious Redeemer. To know Him rightly is to be transformed, for as Daniel 11:32 declares, “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” May we, then, seek to know Him not just for the sake of knowledge but for the joy of communion with the One who made us, saved us, and calls us to Himself.
-Study Questions for Reflection
1. What does it mean that God created the world "ex nihilo" (out of nothing), and why is this significant?
2. How does understanding God's sovereignty in creation affect our view of His authority over our lives?
3. In what ways does creation reflect the order and wisdom of God?
4. How should the doctrine of creation influence our approach to environmental stewardship?
5. What does it mean to be made in the image of God, and how does this impact our understanding of human value and purpose?
6. How does the promise of a new creation give us hope in a world that is fallen and broken?
7. How does seeing God as the Sustainer of creation help us trust Him in daily life?
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