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What Is God Like? [10 Important Traits] – Viral Believer
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What Is God Like? [10 Important Traits]

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, and sovereign. Throughout the Bible, God reveals many aspects of His nature and character that help us understand who He is. As we seek to know God more deeply, we can find great comfort, hope, and purpose in understanding His attributes.

Key Takeaways:

  • God is eternal, having no beginning or end.
  • God is all-powerful, having unlimited power and authority.
  • God is all-knowing, possessing infinite wisdom and understanding.
  • God is ever-present, existing everywhere at all times.
  • God is sovereign, fully in control over all things.
  • God is holy, completely perfect and set apart.
  • God is just, acting with perfect righteousness and fairness.
  • God is love, the very essence of unconditional love.
  • God is merciful, extending grace and forgiveness to humanity.
  • God is faithful, keeping all His promises and never changing.

God Is Eternal

The Bible tells us that God has always existed and will continue to exist forever. He transcends time and space. Without beginning or end, God exists outside the bounds of our finite human understanding of time (Psalm 90:2). There was never a time when God did not exist, nor will there be a time when He ceases to exist. God describes Himself as the “Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” who “is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). His eternal nature provides comfort, knowing that God will remain constant forever.

God Is All-Powerful

God is omnipotent, meaning He has unlimited power to do all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17). Throughout Scripture, we see demonstrations of God’s power through creation, miracles, and divine acts. God spoke the world into existence simply by His word (Genesis 1:3). He parted the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape from Egypt (Exodus 14:21-22). Jesus performed many miracles on earth like healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even raising the dead. God’s power is absolute with no exceptions. He is able to accomplish what He desires, when He desires. As believers, we can take comfort knowing God holds the power needed to fulfill His sovereign plan and work all things together for our good.

God Is All-Knowing

God is omniscient, meaning He has complete and infinite understanding and awareness. God knows everything – the past, present, and future are all the same to Him. His knowledge encompasses all things, including the intimate details of our lives. Jesus demonstrates God’s omniscience, knowing people’s thoughts and hearts (Luke 5:22). God knows and sees everything, even the hidden motives of our hearts (Psalm 139:1-4). He knows every word before it is formed on our tongues. His infinite knowledge allows God to act with perfect wisdom in all circumstances. We can take comfort that the all-knowing God cares for us intimately and knows what we need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8).

God Is Ever-Present

God is omnipresent, meaning He is fully present everywhere at all times. There is nowhere we can go to escape His presence (Psalm 139:7-10). Though God is spirit and exists outside of His creation, He is fully present in every part of it. Throughout the Bible, we find reminders that God does not live in man-made temples, but His presence continuously fills all of creation (1 Kings 8:27). Jesus assured His followers that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). The Holy Spirit also indwells believers, making God’s presence internal within our hearts. The comfort of God’s ever-present nature reminds us we are never alone as He is always with us.

God Is Sovereign

God is sovereign over all things. His plans and purposes reign supreme (Isaiah 46:10). All things were created for His good pleasure and purposes. Nothing takes God by surprise. His sovereignty extends over all nations, leaders, powers, and authorities. Even when things seem out of control, God remains on His throne. Jesus reminded us that not even a tiny sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will (Matthew 10:29). No situation, great or small, is outside of God’s ultimate control. God allows human free will, but works through all decisions to accomplish His perfect will. We can take great comfort in God’s sovereignty, knowing He holds our lives and all things securely in His hands.

God Is Holy

God’s defining attribute is His perfect holiness. Holiness refers to His purity, righteousness, and separation from all moral defilement. God’s nature is utterly holy, meaning He is completely set apart from sin (1 Samuel 2:2). While God is deeply involved in the affairs of humanity, He is completely distinct from us as the Creator. God is high above and exalted from His creation (Isaiah 57:15). His ways and thoughts exist on a plane far beyond our ability to comprehend them fully (Isaiah 55:8-9). God is the ultimate standard of morality. All that God says, thinks, and does reflects His flawless, holy nature. His holiness prompts us to approach God with reverence, awe, and deep respect.

God Is Just

The Bible describes God as a God of perfect justice. His judgments and actions are always right, fair, and equitable (Deuteronomy 32:4). God is impartial in His treatment of people. He cannot be bribed or swayed by appearances. The standards of earthly justice often fall short, but God judges people’s hearts and motives perfectly. His justice is always in accordance with His righteous character so that even His punishments are pure and right. Though His justice seems severe at times, it is always enacted for the ultimate good. God’s justice and holiness demand consequences for sin. But praise God that in His mercy, He satisfied those demands through Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (Romans 3:25-26).

God Is Love

God’s very nature and essence define what love is. The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8). Everything God does flows from His perfect love. God’s love is unconditional, unending, and undeserved. While humans constantly fall short of God’s holy standard, God continually draws us to Himself and showers His love upon us. He demonstrates His love by forgiving our sins, healing our wounds, and reconciling us to Himself while we were still sinners deserving of death (Romans 5:8). God’s disciplines and corrects those He loves, for our good, just as a father lovingly disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:6). Every blessing we receive comes from the overflow of God’s heart of love. As we grow in faith, we can increasingly comprehend the breadth of God’s perfect love for us.

God Is Merciful

Though humanity deserved judgment and death due to our sin, God extended mercy and grace. His mercy means God does not give us the punishment we deserve (Psalm 103:10). Though we have rebelled against God’s holiness, He has graciously provided a way of salvation for us. Jesus said He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). God’s mercy allows Him to withhold the immediate consequences for sin that holiness requires. Instead, He patiently gives opportunity for repentance and restoration. He continually pursues us and invites us back to Himself. God’s compassionate, merciful heart reveals His loving nature. He is slow to anger, quick to forgive, and abounding in loving-kindness for those who seek Him (Exodus 34:6-7).

God Is Faithful

God demonstrates unfailing faithfulness to all His promises and covenants. When God makes a commitment, He will surely fulfill it (Numbers 23:19). His faithfulness extends for all generations to a thousand generations, to those who keep His covenant and obey His commands (Deuteronomy 7:9). Throughout history, we see God faithfully stand by His people and keep His word. Even when God’s people wandered from Him, He remained faithful to restore and redeem them. His plans stand firm forever and His promises prove trustworthy. No matter how unreliable we humans may prove, God remains completely and perfectly faithful. His enduring faithfulness gives us confidence to put our full hope and trust in Him.

Conclusion

Seeking to understand the nature and character of God leads us into greater awe at who He is. The depths of His love, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, and faithfulness are truly amazing. While we cannot fully grasp everything about an infinite God, what He chooses to reveal offers great comfort and hope. We can take joy in knowing He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and absolutely sovereign over everything. His righteous, holy nature deserves our deepest reverence and obedience. His perfect love compels us to worship Him and enjoy sweet intimacy with Him. God in His mercy makes a way for sinful humanity to be restored to Him. His faithfulness gives us bold confidence that His purposes for us will surely come to pass. As we seek God and delight in Him, may we experience more of the beauty of who He is.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.