The Nature of God as observed in the Bible

 

1.                  Exists in an ENDLESS duration of time.  Ps. 102:24-28

A.                 Time is the duration or succession of one thought or action or event after another.  It is the property of existence – God’s.

B.                 Our problem with time is that we are physically limited and mortal.

C.                 Time has always existed and it always will exist because God always will exist.

D.                 The scriptures present God in time as: walking; talking; and dealing with man from one generation to another.  He performs definite acts at definite times.  He rests; observes; thinks and is reasoned with.  He remembers; is grieved; jealous; is provoked to anger; forgives and comforts; delights and rejoices; listens to mans prayers; repents; changes His plans; and makes new decisions.

E.                  God cannot abandon TIME anymore than he can abandon Himself, self-destruct, or commit suicide!

 

2.                  Is OMNIPOTENT.  Gen. 17:1

A.                 He can do all things possible.  Omnipotence does not imply the power to do the non-doable.

B.                 He cannot violate His holy character, His essence is unchangeable - Mal. 3:6

1.                  He cannot sin - James 1:3

2.                  He cannot lie - Heb. 6:18

3.                  He cannot deny Himself - 2 Tim. 2:13

C.                 He cannot do logical absurdities such as:

1.                  Building a rock so large He cannot pick it up

2.                  Make two parallel lines meet

3.                  Cause 1+1=3

4.                  Make two mountains without a valley between them

 

3.                  Is OMNIPRESENT.  Ps. 139:7-12

A.                 Yet this does not imply that He can exist in every place or way:

1.                  In a state of sin

2.                  In a non-believer the same as a believer

3.                  In Satan, or Hell

4.                  Cannot choose to non-exist

B.                 God is above all His creation but He is not out of it.  Eph. 4:6

 

4.                  Is OMNISCIENT.  Ps. 147:5

A.                 He knows all things knowable

B.                 This does not imply that He has the power to know the unknowable unless He causes it to happen.

C.                 God’s knowledge is gained by observation or causation.

D.                 His knowledge is not to be confused with prediction.

 

Passages that are very instructive about God:  Gen. 6:5,6; 22:1-14; 1 Kings 21:17-29; 2 Kings 20:1-11; Jer. 18:1-10; 26:12,13; 32:26-35; 42:7-12; Eze. 33:13-15.