How would you describe God? Some churches have actually split over lack of agreement on this issue. For example, there are some who claim that Jesus is the only person of the Godhead, having three roles, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Most of the Christian church, however, strongly proclaims that there is a Trinity consisting of three persons who are one in essence. Then there are those who deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and actually place themselves outside the pale of Christianity itself. Unfortunately, there are other radical views arising from the cultural tsunami of the twentieth century. Concerning this, Flint states, In the fragmented sixties, disillusioned young people lost all faith in life, in themselves, in God… So they proclaimed God is dead and turned to free sex and drugs (Flint:5). Furthermore, the New Age Movement, with its roots in eastern paganism, proclaimed God could be found by probing deeply into one’s own inner self. Some supporting this deviant way of thinking feel that they are actually God. Consequently, It would not be surprising to see these people on a beach somewhere, hands raised, proclaiming their deity.

 Our God, on the other hand, is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as that of the disciples and apostles of the New Testament.  Our God is infinite but how does one even begin to conceptualize infinity? Teachers have tried to get this concept across by drawing a line across the board which is supposed to have no beginning and no end. Unfortunately, it does have a beginning and an end. Others have drawn a circle to illustrate the concept. Whether that makes it any clearer or not is difficult to say. The problem is that it is impossible to conceptualize infinity with finite minds. Solomon stated the absurdity of confining God even to something as splendid as his magnificent temple. But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him (2 Chronicles 2:6)? This being the case, what we know about God is only that which He chooses to share with us through general revelation in nature or the more specific revelation of Himself through the Scriptures and especially through His Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 states God’s ultimate attempt to communicate with man. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son.

Our God is omnipotent. When God finally met Job, He overwhelmed Job by showing him what only God was capable of doing. He asked Job a series of questions that left Job without any answers. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare if thou hast understanding (Job 38:4).  Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb (Job 38:8)? Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; to cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness wherein there is no man (Job38:25 and 26)? This, of course, was only part of God’s questioning. The Psalmist picks up the theme of God’s power. Psalm 21:13 states, Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so we will sing and praise thy power. Paul describes the power of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1Timothy 6:15…in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Furthermore, in Matthew 28:18, Jesus speaks Himself of His marvellous power. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,

Our God is omniscient. In my seventy-seven years of walking with God, I do not remember Him ever once asking for my opinion. A quick purview of Isaiah 55: 8 and 9 may make it clear why this is so. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. If anyone has studied the heavens through instruments such as the Hubble Telescope, Psalm 147:4 will prove to be mesmerizing. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. According to Psalm 139:4 God even knows everything we are talking about.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Our God is omnipresent. Matthew 18:20 states, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Think of it! People could be meeting in northern Canada and others meeting In South America and the Lord can be in both places at the same time. A person can be praying in China and another one praying in England and the same Lord can be attending to both. Then there is Psalm139:7-10, Wither shall I go from thy spirit? Or wither shall I go from thy presence? If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me.

Our God is holy. He is separate from sinners and higher than the heavens. When Isaiah saw the seraphim that attended God in the temple, he heard the seraphim crying out one to another, Holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is filled with his glory. 1 Peter 1:15 and 16 states, But as he which called us is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Houghton makes a good point when he states that holiness refers to God’s moral excellence. He further says, Holiness characterizes and ought to characterize His children (Houghton:35).  We should not only be morally separate from the world but holiness should rule every part of our lives. This leaves no room for compromise with the world and its unrighteous standards.

Our God is majestic and glorious! 1 Chronicles 29:48 states it well. Thine, O Lord is the greatness and the power. Peter, because of witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus, declares that they were eye witnesses of his majesty (2Peter 1: 16). The Psalmist raises his pean of praise. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hath set thy glory above the heavens (Psalm 8:1). Isaiah saw the glory of God in the temple where seraphim were offering unreserved praise. And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is filled with his glory (Isaiah 6:3). In Exodus 33:18 Moses speaks and requests God to show him His glory. Even though he could only see part of the Lord’s glory while he was sheltered in the cleft of the rock, when he descended from the Mount, his face shone so brightly that he had to put a veil over his face while talking to the congregation. Interestingly enough, Moses had watched as God brought the plagues upon Egypt, led them through the sea on dry land, and saw God miraculously provide water and manna in the wilderness and yet he still cried out for God to show him His glory.

Our God is immutable. He never changes. This is difficult for modern man to conceptualize since everything seems to be changing today at breakneck speed. Malachi 3:6 gives testimony to His immutability. For I am the Lord, I change not. Jesus, the second member of the trinity, shares this marvellous characteristic as outlined in Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Henry Francis Lyte summed this up in his hymn Abide With Me.

Change and decay in all around I see,

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Our God is eternal. Deuteronomy 33:27 states, The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Isaiah continues this theme. Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding (Isaiah 40:28). Jesus states in Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Our God is sovereign over all of creation. Packer puts it this way. All history is under His sway (Packer: 94). He continues in this vein stating that He is the absolute monarch of the universe, ordering all its affairs, working out His will in all that happens within it (Ibid.:122). Flint states, God, by His power orchestrates all events of history toward His predetermined goal (Flint:18). Speaking again of the Second Member of the Godhead, Colossians 1:16 states For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by him and for him: God created all things, so as creator, He owns all and has a right to do what He pleases according to His sovereign will. It is important to realize God is sovereign even during the most dismal and trying times of life.

Our God is love. 1John 4:8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. This is one of the greatest differences between our God and pagan deities. Most pagan deities seem cruel or unloving, waiting for followers to mess up so they can be punished for their shortcomings. Obviously, our God has to punish sin. Romans 1:18 states The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness but He has also clearly demonstrated His boundless love. Frederick Lehman penned the immortal words,

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.  (Frederick M. Lehman)

While our God, the Ancient of Days is infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, majestic and glorious, immutable, eternal, and sovereign, His infinite love caused the Lord Jesus Christ to humble Himself and to set aside His glory to bring man back into God’s glorious embrace.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with  God.

But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

This is completely mind-boggling. What other god has showed this kind of love? Personally, I know of none but that is not all. Ephesians 2:5 and 6 state, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;) And raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Why would we, though so unworthy, be allowed to sit with Him in heavenly places?Not only did God give us Christ’s righteousness but He is offering us places of honour beside our glorious Lord! Romans 8:16 and 17 are marvellous! The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Is Christ, who has gained back the lost title deed of the earth, willing to share this with us too as joint-heirs. Amazing love, how can it be?

Furthermore, because of His resurrection, I am guaranteed life after death.  1 Corinthians 15:20-22 is a proof of this. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. Furthermore, Jesus promised it in John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye shall see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

No wonder Walter C. Smith wrote,

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, your great name we praise.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Flint, Allan R. Our Glorious God: His Works. Shaumburg, Illinois: Regular Baptist Press, 1990.

Gower, David M. Our Glorious God: his Plan For Man. Shaumburg, Illinois: Regular Baptist Press,1990.

Houghton, Myron J. Our Glorious God: His Attributes. Shaumberg, Illinois: Regular Baptist Press, 1990.

Packer, J.I. Knowing God. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1978.

Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God. Camp Hill Pennsylvania: Wing Spread Publishers, Wing Spread Publishers, 2006.