SOME ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

In order to know who God is, we must first know what God is. Actually, it is easier for most of us to understand the "who" part because "who God is" is in large part relational, i.e.: God the Father. We relate to the fatherhood of God.

What we do not relate to, are many aspects of what God is -- what His character is. Some of His attributes that He does not share with His creatures are so beyond us that we do not have a clue as to their real nature. We may define them, but we don’t share them. You’re familiar with the movie "Clueless?" That is the entire human race when we talk about the "incommunicable" attributes of God.

So, what is God that we should bother paying attention to anything He says?

Our confession is excellent on the subject:

"There is but one only,[1] living, and true God,[2] who is infinite in being and perfection,[3] a most pure spirit,[4] invisible,[5] without body, parts,[6] or passions;[7] immutable,[8] immense,[9] eternal,[10] incomprehensible,[11] almighty,[12] most wise,[13] most holy,[14] most free,[15] most absolute;[16] working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,[17] for his own glory;[18] most loving,[19] gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;[20] the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;[21] and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments,[22] hating all sin,[23] and who will by no means clear the guilty.[24]

"God hath all life,[25] glory,[26] goodness,[27] blessedness,[28] in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made,[29] nor deriving any glory from them,[30] but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;[31] and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth.[32] In his sight all things are open and manifest,[33] his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature,[34] so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain.[35] He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.[36] To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them.[37]

"In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost:[38] the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;[39] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.[40]"

So, there – in a very well-put and concise nutshell – is what God is; His attributes, if you will. Now, let’s narrow our focus and look at some specific traits of God relating to His Word.

THE DOCTRINE OF SCIRPTURE

We read in Scripture that God cannot lie.