What are the attributes of God?

TL;DR:

God has revealed many of His attributes in His inspired word, the Bible. God’s attributes are crucial to understand the truth about God, who He is, what He does, and what He is like.

Many have attempted to explain God based upon their own human reasoning, conjecture and/or personal experiences. It is best to let God speak for Himself. “No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Fortunately for us, God has spoken and explained Himself and His attributes throughout His inspired written word in the Bible. God’s word reveals some of His most notable attributes including His love, mercy, patience and kindness. It also records His righteousness, holiness, justice and wrath. Assuredly, our God is an awesome God and words themselves are not sufficient to explain His true greatness and majesty. “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!” (Romans 11:33)

from the old testament

God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1, 24:1-2).
God is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 90:2).
God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:26-27).
God is unique and the only true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:6, Psalm 95:3).
God is sovereign (Job 9:12, Psalm 68:20, Jeremiah 23:20).
God is truth and trustworthy (Psalm 117:2, 1 Samuel 15:29).
God is just and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30, 111:7)
God is omnipotent (Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12), and omniscient (Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 147:5).
God is good (Psalm 116:5).
God is jealous for us (Deuteronomy 4:24).
God is merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31).
God is our helper and refuge (Psalm 54:4, 62:8, 94:22).

from the new testament

God is spirit (John 4:24).
God is love and light (1 John 1:5, 4:8).
God is holy (1 Peter 1:15).
God is eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)
God is patient, kind and good (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4, Mark 10:18, James 1:17).
God is our Savior (John 4:42, Titus 3:4-5, Jude 1:25).
God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13, 2 Timothy 2:13).
God is a devouring fire and righteous judge (Hebrews 12:29, 2 Timothy 4:1).

implications for today

History has shown humanity’s desire to shape a god in an image of their own choosing. This is a telling distortion, as the exact opposite is true – God made humanity in His own image and likeness. God is who He says He is and has explained Himself sufficiently enough for humanity in the Bible. The story of the Bible is that God is in love with you and because of His love, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth on a rescue mission to save you from your sin. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Those who believe in Jesus for salvation from sin and death are called to follow Him as His disciples. The Apostle Paul wrote,

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:12,15-16)

Paul’s response to the love, mercy, and patience He received from God (which should be ours as well) was a life of praise, worship and dedication to serve this great God (Romans 12:1-2). “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen One who never dies; He alone is God. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

understand

God is eternal and unchanging, meaning His nature and promises are constant.
God is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing.
God is love, holy, and just, reflecting His goodness, purity, and fairness.

reflect

How does understanding God’s unchanging nature impact how I approach my relationship with Him and His promises?
How can the knowledge of God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience influence how I trust Him with my daily concerns and decisions?
How does recognizing God’s attributes of love, holiness, and justice shape my understanding of His actions and character in my own life?

engage

How do different attributes of God, such as His omniscience and omnipotence, relates to each other in theological discussions? In personal faith?
How might misunderstandings or selective emphasis on certain attributes of God (like justice or love) affect our overall theological perspective and relationship with Him?
What are the implications of God’s eternal and unchanging nature for our understanding of His interactions with humanity throughout history? In the present day?