13 Key Attributes of God
13 Key Attributes of God
Discover
God’s
Character:
13 KEY ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
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Discover God’s Character: 13 Key Attributes of God
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Discover God’s Character: 13 Key Attributes of God
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God Is a Personal of being involved with Him in the fulfillment of His
purposes.
Our awesome God is gloriously incomprehensible. First, God revealed Himself to us in His Word,
The following are four of the many ways He is beyond the Bible. The Scriptures provide us with a
our understanding. clear description of what God is like and what is
“Friendship with God important to Him.
God is infinite. Unlike is reserved for those
us, God has no limits who reverence Him.” Second, God came down from heaven to live on
or boundaries. He is (Psalm 25:14, Living earth. For 33 years, human beings could observe the
not confined to the Bible) incarnate God through their senses as they walked
dimension of space. His and talked with His Son, Jesus.
love, holiness, mercy and all His other qualities are
unlimited in their scope and expression. Third, God destroyed the barrier of sin and self-
centeredness that separated us from our holy God.
God is self-existent. Unlike everything else in the His perfect Son, Jesus, died on the cross to pay the
entire universe, He had no beginning. Because He is penalty for our sins.
the Creator, He is the only One who exists outside of
the created order. Fourth, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in
Christians with His presence.
God is eternal. He is not bound by the dimension of
time. He created time as a temporary context for His Our Creator God did all this so we could go beyond
creation. With God, everything that has ever happened just knowing about Him. We can actually enter into a
or will ever happen has already occurred within His warm friendship and intimate family relationship with
awareness. God encompasses all of eternity! Him. What a gracious offer and an awesome privilege!
God is self-sufficient. All creation relies on God for “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek
existence, but He has no need for anything. He does Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, New
not need our help. He only offers us the privilege International Version)
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God Is All- long as it does not violate any of His other attributes.
No task is too big for Him. He never fails. And He is
God merely spoke “O Sovereign LORD! David writes, “When I look at the night sky and see
the universe into You have made the the work of Your fingers — the moon and the stars
being — a universe that heavens and earth You have set in place — what are mere mortals that
astronomers estimate by Your strong hand You should think about them, human beings that
contains more than and powerful arm. You should care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4, NLT).
100 billion galaxies. Nothing is too hard
But all the power for You!” (Jeremiah No matter what you might be facing, God can
contained in this entire 32:17, New Living help you. Nothing is too hard for Him. No need
universe is but a small Translation) is too great for Him to meet. No problem is too
representation of the complicated for Him to solve. No foe is too strong
unlimited power of God. The combined energy of all for Him to conquer. No prayer is too difficult for Him
earth’s storms, winds, ocean waves and other forces to answer.
of nature do not equal even a fraction of God’s
almighty power. The Bible promises, “By His mighty power at work
within us [He] is able to accomplish infinitely more
God’s power is inherent in His nature. All power than we would ever dare to ask or even dream”
has always been His and will continue to be His for (Ephesians 3:20, Living Bible).
all eternity. Any power that we have is given to us
by God. If our hearts and motives are pure and we truly seek
to do God’s will, then there is nothing too difficult
Because God is all-powerful, He has the ability and for us as we depend on His strength.
strength to do whatever He pleases. His power is not
restrained or inhibited by any of His created beings. “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me
People and nations are powerless when confronted strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NLT)
by His might.
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God Is Present He also sees the bad things we do in secret.
Hebrews 4:13 states, “Nothing in all creation is
God is always with us. Because He is an infinite Yet God’s magnificent presence is all we need for
Spirit, He is not restricted to being in one location at any challenge that may come our way. No person or
a time. He fills every inch of space throughout the circumstance can ever remove us from the presence
universe with all His wonderful personal attributes. of our loving God. He is always with us, hearing our
Although God is distinct from His creation, all His cries for help. He is always with us, protecting us
creation exists within Him. In Acts 17:28 we are told, from danger. He is always with us, watching what
“In Him we live and move and exist” (New Living we do. He is our ever-present God, Savior, Lord and
Translation). Master — our dearest friend.
We live in His glorious presence every moment of [Jesus said,] “I am with you always.” (Matthew
every day. When we are alone, God watches what 28:20, NIV)
we do. When we do something good that nobody
else knows about, God sees it and will reward us
accordingly.
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God Knows heart and know everything about me. You know
when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts
Everything … even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home. You know everything I
do. You know what I am going to say even before I
so go to Him with all your questions and say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You
concerns. place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for
“Oh, what a wonderful God we me to understand!” (Psalm 139:1-6, New Living
have! How great are His wisdom Translation).
and knowledge and riches! How
impossible it is for us to understand When you face challenges or difficulties, you can
His decisions and His methods! be encouraged that God understands what you are
For who can know what the Lord is going through. He knows about your pressures and
thinking? Who knows enough to be problems, and He also knows the purpose for your
His counselor and guide?” (Romans trials. God promises, “I know the plans I have for you.
11:33-34, Living Bible) ... They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give
you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).
Our magnificent Creator God knows everything and
is the source of all true knowledge, understanding Whatever your circumstances, whatever your need,
and wisdom. His knowledge is undefiled by any God has the answer. He knows everything about
distortions or wrong perspectives. It is totally true your situation and wants to help you.
and accurate.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
God knows the answers to all of life’s questions. who gives generously to all without finding fault,
Unlike us, God is never surprised or bewildered, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you
because He is always completely aware of all events must believe and not doubt, because the one who
past, present and future. doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed
by the wind. That person should not expect to
He also knows everything about you — your desires, receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:5-6, New
motives and thoughts. God knows more about you International Version)
than you will ever know about yourself.
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God Is and events. Daniel explains, “[God] determines
the course of world events; He removes kings
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Discover God’s Character: 13 Key Attributes of God
God Is Holy … sinful world, you are to reflect the beauty of His
holiness. But you can be holy only by placing your
faith in Jesus Christ. As the holiness of God works
so devote yourself to Him in purity, into the fabric of your being, you will become
worship and service. sensitive to sin and learn to abhor it as God does.
Our God is holy. His “Who else among God’s holiness demands your devotion. The apostle
character is perfect in the gods is like You, John strongly warns, “Dear children, keep away
every way. His moral LORD? Who is like from anything that might take God’s place in your
excellence is the You — majestic in hearts” (1 John 5:21, New Living Translation). Where
absolute standard of holiness, awesome is your heart? Are you remaining pure and faithful to
integrity and ethical in glory, working your holy God? Holy living involves a daily decision
purity. God’s supreme wonders?” to surrender to the lordship of Christ.
holiness infinitely sets (Exodus 15:11, New
Him apart from His International Version) Sin brings death and destruction, while holiness
creation. brings health and well-being. God wants your mind
and heart to be filled with His holy qualities. As your
As we meditate on God’s supreme holiness, we life is transformed, you will project the light of His
cannot help being overcome with a sense of awe. holiness into the darkness of this evil world. Then
The psalmist tells us, “Worship the LORD in the you shall be holy as He is holy.
splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the
earth” (Psalm 96:9, NIV). “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just
as God who chose you is holy.” (1 Peter 1:15, NLT)
Solomon writes, “The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy
One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, NIV). To fear
God does not mean to be afraid of Him but to have
a reverential respect for His magnificent greatness
and unlimited authority. The Bible instructs us,
“Serve the LORD with fear, and celebrate His rule
with trembling” (Psalm 2:11, NIV).
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God Is Absolute International Version). The Bible helps us know and
understand the truth about Him, about ourselves
When God gave the prophet Balaam a message to God is our anchor of truth in a society of relativism
deliver to the king of Moab, Balaam said, “God is not and falsehood. Do your decisions and lifestyle
a man, so he does not lie. He is not a human, so he demonstrate that you are listening to Jesus? Or
does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and have you bought into the lies of popular culture?
failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried Are you consistently spending time discovering
it through?” (Numbers 23:19, NLT). truth in God’s Word?
Whatever God says is absolutely right. Whatever He Truth will be found only by those who diligently seek
promises will always be fulfilled. it in the right places. Commit yourself daily to walk
in the light of God’s truth.
God wants us to know the truth. Jesus prayed
for His disciples, asking God to “sanctify them by “Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live
the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17, New according to Your truth!” (Psalm 86:11, NLT)
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God Is are” (Romans 3:22, NLT). When we place our trust in
Jesus, God no longer sees our sinfulness but only the
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God Is Just … be right. King David said, “The Lord is righteous, He
loves justice” (Psalm 11:7, New International Version).
so He will always treat you fairly. Because God is just, He will always treat you fairly.
However, as the holy and righteous sovereign of
God is absolutely just “I, the LORD, search the universe, God cannot ignore any act of sin. God
in all His judgments. all hearts and hates sin with a holy passion. The psalmist writes,
Because of His holy examine secret “You spread out our sins before You — our secret sins
righteousness, He motives. I give all — and You see them all. ... Who can comprehend the
cannot be bribed people their due power of Your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as
or corrupted in any rewards, according the fear You deserve” (Psalm 90:8,11, NLT).
way. God cannot be to what their actions
fooled. Because He is deserve.” (Jeremiah God’s anger over sin should never be
all-knowing and ever- 17:10, New Living underestimated. You need to have a healthy fear of
present, He has all the Translation) God to help you avoid anything that would violate
facts at His disposal. your relationship with Him.
He knows the circumstances and motives, so His
decisions are always based on absolute truth. God God also rewards right behavior. Although your
is also a perfect judge because when He pronounces salvation is secured by faith in Jesus Christ, your
judgment, He has the power and sovereignty to carry good works confirm that you are a child of God and
out the punishment. “Everything He does is just and determine the rewards you will receive from Him.
fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just We serve a just God, so what you do in this life will
and upright He is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT). matter for eternity.
Justice is a pillar of society, ensuring that the “God will judge us for everything we do, including
innocent are vindicated and the guilty are punished. every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
But all too often, this standard for justice is (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NLT)
compromised for personal gain by corrupt judges
and unscrupulous lawyers. Consequently, many
people mistakenly believe they can manipulate
God’s system of justice. They think that God is
fooled by their excuses and alibis.
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God Is Love … sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10, NLT).
Jesus gave His life on your behalf. He could not have
sacrificed any more. God’s love for you is supreme.
so He is unconditionally committed to
your well-being. We, in turn, are to love God wholeheartedly. Jesus
declared: “Love the Lord your God with all your
“Your roots will grow down into God’s heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the
love and keep you strong. And may first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-
you have the power to understand, 38, NLT). God, in His sovereignty, has created us to
as all God’s people should, how wide, find our greatest joy and fulfillment in loving Him.
how long, how high, and how deep
His love really is.” (Ephesians 3:17-18, God also enables us to be channels of His
New Living Translation) supernatural love. On our own, we are incapable of
loving as we should, but God has for us an unending
God is the source of all love. It flows out of the supply of His divine love. It is for us to claim, to
great reservoir of His goodness. Love permeates all enjoy and to share with others.
of His attributes. While people sometimes violate
standards of honesty, righteousness, and morality When believers begin to love God, love their
to please others, God never compromises His neighbors as themselves and love their enemies,
integrity. His love does not suppress or negate any society will change for the better. Then the world
of His other attributes. today, as in the first century, will marvel when
they see and experience the transforming power of
God’s love is unconditional. It is not based on how God’s love.
good you are or what you do to please Him. He loves
you because He is God and you are His creation. “Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
God’s love never fails. The psalmist proclaims, us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ
“The LORD is good. His unfailing love continues Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39, NLT)
forever” (Psalm 100:5, NLT). God’s love will not be
terminated because of disappointment or a change
of heart. He defines love, He generates love, and He
demonstrates what true love looks like.
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God Is them. Or the woman caught in adultery: He spoke
compassionately to her and forgave her.
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God Is promise, “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny who He is” (2 Timothy 2:13, NLT).
God is faithful to protect you from temptation and God is faithful to help you in your need. He will never
the evil one. Paul wrote, “God is faithful. He will not fail you! He is reliable. He is trustworthy. He cannot
allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. be otherwise. Your holy and loving God is faithful!
When you are tempted, He will show you a way
out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13, “If you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,
NLT). When you are tempted to sin, do not focus on keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to
the attractiveness of the temptation but on God’s the God who created you, for He will never fail you.”
faithfulness to deliver you from that situation. (1 Peter 4:19, NLT)
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God Never God’s unchangeable ways assure you of unwavering
guidance. Psalm 18:30 states, “God’s way is perfect.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a God’s unchanging Word equips you with timeless
gift coming down to us from God truth. Isaiah declared, “The grass withers, and
our Father, who created all the lights the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands
in the heavens. He never changes or forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NLT). God’s words and
casts shifting shadows.” commands are timeless.
(James 1:17, New Living Translation)
God’s unchanging commitment guarantees
God never changes. In fact, it is impossible for God everlasting security. If you have trusted in Jesus
to change. The influences that cause change in your Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be assured
life have no effect on God. He will never be stronger of eternal life. God is eternally committed to your
or weaker. His knowledge and wisdom will not redemption, your spiritual growth, and your eternal
increase or diminish. God does not compromise or destiny. God’s commitment to you is as strong
change His values. And God does not have mood as He is eternally constant. The storms of life are
swings. Life and its uncertainties may shake you, continually changing, but God remains the same.
but God — the Rock of Ages — does not move. If you He is consistent and reliable. He is your anchor. You
cling to Him, His strength will sustain you. can count on God because He never changes.
God’s unchanging purpose gives you eternal “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
significance. Psalm 33:11 states, “The LORD’s plans forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).
stand firm forever; His intentions can never be
shaken” (NLT). God’s plan is unchangeable. It existed
at the beginning of creation and remains the same
today. And you are part of His plan! Paul explains,
“We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew
in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He
planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
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