MaxShimba
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- Apr 11, 2008
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A Theological Inquiry into the Nature, Attributes, and Works of God
Introduction: The Foundational QuestionThe question, "Who is God and from where did He originate?" is of profound significance. The answer to this inquiry fundamentally shapes one's worldview, ethics, and ultimate destiny. It serves as the cornerstone for determining whether one worships the true God or a self-constructed deity. Furthermore, one's belief about God's nature is intrinsically linked to their treatment of others; a genuine love for God necessitates a love for humanity. While the world's major religious traditions offer divergent teachings on the divine, they cannot all be simultaneously true. This exposition will articulate a biblically grounded understanding of God's identity, essence, and relationship with creation.
I. The Ontological Nature of God: His Eternal and Self-Existent Being
The foundational assertion of Scripture is that the one true God is the uncreated Creator of all things. He is eternal, without beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). As the source of all existence, He alone is worthy of worship (Revelation 4:11).
- Eternity: God exists outside the constraints of time. As Moses declared, "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:2). The prophet Isaiah confirms this, calling Him "the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth" who "will not grow tired or weary" and whose understanding is beyond fathoming (Isaiah 40:28). Jude further elaborates that God has existed throughout all eternity past (Jude 1:25).
- Self-Existence (Aseity): There was a point when nothing created existed. Only the Spirit of God, the singular, self-sufficient Being, was present. He is the one true God (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20), the immortal King (1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16), who depends on nothing outside of Himself for His power or life.
God is spirit, an invisible being (John 4:24). While one in essence, He exists eternally as three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17). His divine nature is characterized by several incommunicable and moral attributes.
- Incommunicable Attributes: These are qualities unique to God's being.
- Omnipotence: God is all-powerful (1 Timothy 1:17); there is nothing He cannot do to fulfill His sovereign will.
- Incomparability: He is utterly unique and without equal (2 Samuel 7:22).
- Immutability: God is unchangeable in His nature and character (Malachi 3:6).
- Omnipresence: He is present everywhere simultaneously (Psalm 139:7-12).
- Omniscience: He possesses all knowledge (Matthew 11:21), knowing the end from the beginning (1 John 3:20). This divine omniscience ensures His actions are perfectly deliberate and free from error or regret.
- Moral Attributes: These are the perfections of God's character.
- Righteousness and Justice: God is morally pure and always acts with perfect justice (Acts 17:31; 1 John 1:5).
- Love and Mercy: He is characterized by profound love, compassion, and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Romans 9:15).
- Truth and Faithfulness: God is the very essence of truth (John 14:6).
- Grace and Forgiveness: He offers unmerited favor and the forgiveness of sins (Romans 5:17; Psalm 130:4).
- Holiness and Goodness: God is utterly holy and separate from sin. He is the ultimate source and standard of all goodness (Psalm 25:8; Matthew 19:17).
God's nature is revealed through His works. His actions are a direct expression of His being.
- Creation: God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing) and sustains it completely (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5; Colossians 1:17). Before creation, He possessed perfect foreknowledge of all things, including the function and interrelation of every element within His creation.
- Sovereign Plan: He is executing His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:11), which centrally involves the redemption of humanity from the curse of sin and death through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:13-14).
- Providence and Judgment: God draws people to Christ (John 6:44), disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6), and will ultimately judge the world in righteousness (Revelation 20:11-15).
IV. The Human Challenge: Comprehending the Eternal
The human mind, finite and bound by time, struggles to grasp the concept of an eternal, self-existent Being. Our brief lifespan provides a poor framework for understanding eternity; to God, a thousand years are like a single day (2 Peter 3:8). The disparity between the Creator's intellect and our own is vast (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, the existence of the universe, which had a beginning (Genesis 1:1-2), logically demands a First Cause that itself is uncaused. The only coherent explanation is an eternal, self-sufficient Creator who has always existed.
V. The Relational Bridge: Knowing God Through Jesus Christ
The ultimate revelation of "who God is" is found in the person of Jesus Christ. In the incarnation, "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man, establishing Himself as the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we receive forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God (Romans 5:10; John 15:15), and eternal salvation (2 Timothy 2:10). In Christ, "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Therefore, to know God truly, one must look to Jesus.
Conclusion
The true and living God is the eternal, self-existent, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator. He is a triune being of perfect righteousness, love, and holiness. While His eternal nature transcends full human comprehension, His existence is logically necessary and revealed through creation, Scripture, and supremely in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our appropriate response is to worship Him in humility and truth.
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Max Shimba
Servant of Jesus Christ, the Great God.
(Titus 2:13)
