The Divine Characteristics of God
The first thing we know about God is that He is a spirit (John 4:24) and that he resides at the very center of the universe in a realm even higher than heaven.
“Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars! Yet you say, ‘What does God know? Does he judge through such darkness? Thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us as he goes about in the vaulted heavens.’”
– Job 22:12-14
Thus, we cannot observe Him to determine what He is like, but we can learn some things about God from the things he made:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
– Romans 1:20
Creation tells of God’s power, His divine eye for beauty and variety, His justice, and glimpses of His love and mercy. Yet, the material creations can only take us so far. They can reveal certain attributes and indications of His nature, but they cannot reveal His divine character and personality. There is only one avenue to receive that revelation:
“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”
– John 1:18
Yes, we can only know God’s divine character by a comprehension of the religious life of Jesus of Nazareth, both before and after his attainment of full consciousness of his divinity at his baptism. Jesus told his followers:
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
– Matthew 11:27
As Jesus said to the Apostle Thomas:
“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’”
– John 14:7-9
So, rather than enumerate the various aspects of God’s character, we invite you to examine the life of Jesus. And when you do, take on the mental attitude of a child of this supernal Father, looking through eyes of trust and love as did Jesus. And know that under no circumstance does this wise and loving God coerce his children into worshiping or even knowing Him. It is our decision to search for and really find Him, for “He is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
Of course, there are certainly many things about God that Jesus did not reveal. Nevertheless, we can be certain that Jesus revealed enough for us to know and love God and to begin the heavenly ascent to the Father’s presence.
