God Reveals His Nature, Not Humanity
The Bible does not leave the nature of God to human imagination. God reveals who He is by His own words and actions. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the LORD responded by declaring His name and nature:
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6, NKJV).
This self-revelation shows that God’s nature is not primarily power or judgment, but character—mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, and truth. Theology begins not with speculation, but with God speaking about Himself. What the Bible says about the nature of God forms the foundation for faith, worship, and trust.
God Is One, Eternal, and Unchanging
Scripture teaches that God is singular and eternal.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4, NKJV).
God is not divided, evolving, or dependent on creation.
“Before the mountains were brought forth… from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2, NKJV).
Unlike humans, God does not grow wiser or better over time.
“For I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6, NKJV).
This means His promises, love, and purposes remain stable regardless of circumstances.
God Is Holy and Separate from Sin
One of the most repeated declarations in Scripture is that God is holy.
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3, NKJV).
The Hebrew word qādôsh means set apart, morally pure, utterly distinct. God’s holiness means He is unlike His creation in purity and perfection.
This holiness does not push people away arbitrarily—it exposes sin so that healing and redemption can occur. When Isaiah encountered God’s holiness, he became aware of his own need, not God’s cruelty (Isaiah 6:5).
God Is Love, Not Love Alone
Scripture famously declares:
“God is love” (1 John 4:8, NKJV).
Love is not merely something God does—it is intrinsic to His nature. The Greek word agapē describes self-giving, sacrificial love. However, Scripture never reduces God to love alone. God’s love is holy love, just love, and truthful love.
At the cross, God’s love and justice meet:
“Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed” (Psalm 85:10, NKJV).
God does not ignore sin to love sinners; He deals with sin in order to redeem them.
God Is Just and Righteous
The Bible affirms that God is perfectly just.
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NKJV).
Justice is not arbitrary punishment; it is God’s commitment to what is right.
Righteousness (ṣedeq) refers to God’s moral perfection and faithfulness to His own nature. Because God is righteous, evil will not ultimately prevail.
God Is Personal and Relational
Unlike impersonal forces or distant deities, the God of the Bible is personal.
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18, NKJV).
God’s nature includes relational closeness. He is not merely distant, but a Father who invites prayer, trust, and fellowship.
“Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:23–24, NKJV).
God Is Sovereign and All-Powerful
Scripture affirms God’s absolute authority over creation.
“Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth” (Psalm 135:6, NKJV).
God’s power is never disconnected from His character. His sovereignty serves His goodness and redemptive purposes.
God Is Revealed Fully in Jesus Christ
The fullest revelation of God’s nature is found in Jesus Christ.
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NKJV).
Jesus is not a contradiction of the Old Testament God, but His clearest expression.
“[Jesus] is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3, NKJV).
Practical Implications of God’s Nature
What God is like determines how people relate to Him. Because God is holy, believers are called to repentance. Because He is loving, they are invited to trust. Because He is just, they can rely on Him to make all things right. Because He is unchanging, they can rest securely in His promises.
Summary Truth
The Bible teaches that God is eternal, holy, loving, just, sovereign, personal, and unchanging. His nature is revealed through Scripture and fully expressed in Jesus Christ. Understanding who God is forms the foundation of faith, worship, obedience, and hope.
Key Scriptures on the Nature of God (NKJV)
Exodus 34:6 (NKJV)
“And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.’”
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!”
Psalm 90:2 (NKJV)
“Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
Malachi 3:6 (NKJV)
“For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
Isaiah 6:3 (NKJV)
“And one cried to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!’”
1 John 4:8 (NKJV)
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJV)
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.”
Psalm 145:18 (NKJV)
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.”
John 14:9 (NKJV)
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)
“Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person.”
Devotional Reflection Questions
What does Jesus reveal about God’s nature that brings you comfort or conviction today?
Which aspect of God’s nature do you most need to trust right now in your life?
How does knowing that God is both holy and loving shape the way you approach Him?
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