7 characteristics of the one True God

Most people’s understanding of God is hazy like a nebula in space. There are many religions in this world—theregister.com in 2006 recorded the number to be over 4,300 religious groups. Is there one true God? What is he like? Here are 7 characteristics of the one true God from the Bible.

1. The One True God is compassionate and just

Imagine having an angry, vindictive God, evil in character, and who needed placating all the time. We should be overjoyed that the LORD is loving and just.

Judah was evil and did not deserve anything from God but punishment. God is holy, but he is also gracious. As though Judah was already in exile for her sins, God says through his prophet Isaiah,

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2, NIV).

Before Judah even experiences the full extent of her punishment, God intends to forgive her. Who does that?

2. He is powerful and personable

Many people have false ideas of a supreme being, if they believe there is one. Some esteem him only as a spiritual person a little better than themselves. He is the “man upstairs.” However, Isaiah declares him to be the powerful LORD of the universe (Isaiah 40:10-11). God’s wisdom, understanding, and power are beyond all limits (Isaiah 40:28-29). Yet, he is personable. The LORD is not uncaring, mean, or unapproachable. God is real, and he can be near us.

3. The LORD is Sovereign

In previous Bible studies, we saw the LORD use the ungodly and ruthless king of Assyria to punish Israel for her sins and threaten Judah. In answer to the prayers of King Hezekiah and his people, the LORD saved Judah by annihilating Assyria’s army. However, Hezekiah’s revival did not last long, and Judah soon returned to idol worship and all sorts of evil.

Soon, God would use Babylon to punish Judah for her sins. The LORD allows evil when it suits his purpose—kings are tools in the hands of God to perform his will.

Later, God would use King Cyrus of Persia to bring his people back from exile. It would seem like his own idea. However, the LORD controls the wills of earthly kings. The nation from the east and the north doing God’s will would be Persia. She is a nation from the east but would attack Israel from the north (Isaiah 41:2,25).

4. The One True God is Faithful

He made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (whose name later became Israel). The LORD chose them to be particular people to glorify his name. God says,

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant”; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:9-10, NIV).

God made promises of land, an uncountable number of descendants, and blessings to Abraham and his family line. He will keep those promises.

The LORD has made promises and provisions for us as well if we will receive them. He guarantees eternal spiritual life for all those who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:12; 3:16). Furthermore, he reserves a spacious place for us in heaven (John 14:2), and we will receive his spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3-14).

5. God has Perfect Knowledge

God is not a fashioned piece of wood, metal, or precious stone. He is spiritual, alive, and fully engaged with his creation. He has a perfect understanding of past events and knowledge of everything in the future, unlike any “god.” (Isaiah 41:23-24, NIV).

6. The LORD saves

He would heal people, both spiritually and physically. We do not know if it is God’s will for Jesus to physically heal us, but he will save us from our sins if we ask him. Let us put our hope in the Lord.

7. The All-Wise God is sometimes silent

We might ask, “If God is sovereign and powerful but also personable and caring, why is he silent when we are in trouble?” Israel and Judah wondered the same thing. God says he would keep silent for a long time, although it pained him to do so (42:14). Judah would be in exile in Babylon for seventy years (Israel, even longer). God would seem to do nothing because they were paying for their sins. Then, at the appropriate time, he would act.

Only the true God of the universe can tell what the future will be and have the power to bring it to pass. As was stated earlier, he would bring Israel and Judah back to their land under the decree of King Cyrus of Persia. That would be a glorious time. Afterward, however, she would return to sinning and suffer for it. Greece and Rome would ravage her land as it became a battleground for the warring nations. For 400 years, God would be silent before he sends his Son, Jesus, to be their Savior and ours.

Has God been silent in our life? It does not mean that he does not care or is unaware of our needs. It means the time for the LORD to deliver has not yet come. We need to be patient, trusting, and faithful. God told Israel and Judah that he will not forsake them. Neither will he abandon us, even if we have strayed from him. However, if living a life of sin is causing our problems, he is not obligated to deliver us. Let us learn this lesson—we can turn from our sins to the living and one true God of heaven to experience his love and grace! (more…)

Discussion

Who is God, and how is he different than any “god?”