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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Oct 2410 min read

What Does the Nature of God Reveal About His Divine Attributes?

The nature of God is an essential aspect of Christian theology, shedding light on His character, being, and relationship with creation. Understanding the divine attributes of God enables us to grasp His transcendence, omnipotence, omniscience, holiness, and love. In doing so, we come closer to understanding who God is and how His nature governs all things, especially His interactions with humanity. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is filled with descriptions of God's nature, making it clear that He is the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate Lawgiver. As Christians, we look to Scripture to understand these divine qualities and how they impact our faith and lives.



How Is God's Transcendence and Immanence Manifested?


God’s transcendence refers to His existence beyond the physical universe, independent of creation. As the Creator of all things, God is above and beyond the universe He made. Genesis 1:1 reveals this when it states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Before anything existed, God was already present, showing that He transcends time, space, and matter.


Isaiah 55:8-9 also reflects God's transcendence: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." This emphasizes the vast difference between God's nature and human experience, showing His sovereignty over all things.


At the same time, God is immanent, meaning that He is present and active within His creation. While He transcends the universe, He is also intimately involved in it. Jeremiah 23:23-24 asks, "Am I a God at hand, declares Jehovah, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares Jehovah. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares Jehovah." This scripture affirms that while God transcends the cosmos, He is still near to His creation and actively sustaining it. God's immanence provides comfort to believers, knowing that He is not distant or aloof but ever-present and involved in their lives.



How Does God's Omnipotence Demonstrate His Sovereignty?


God’s omnipotence means that He possesses all power and can accomplish anything He wills. This divine power is evident from the beginning of creation. Genesis 1 recounts how God spoke everything into existence, demonstrating His sovereign control over the universe. "By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host" (Psalm 33:6). The creation of the universe by mere command exemplifies God's limitless power.


Moreover, God's omnipotence is further illustrated in His ability to perform miracles, acts that defy natural laws and showcase His ultimate control over creation. In the account of the Exodus, God demonstrated His power by delivering Israel from Egypt through miraculous signs and wonders, such as parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). The New Testament affirms this power in Christ’s ministry as He healed the sick, raised the dead, and controlled nature itself (Luke 8:24-25).


The doctrine of God’s omnipotence also assures believers that nothing is too difficult for God. Jeremiah 32:17 states, "Ah, Lord Jehovah! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." Thus, no circumstance or problem is beyond God's ability to resolve, and His power governs the entire cosmos, from the grand scale of the universe to the intimate details of individual lives.



What Does God’s Omniscience Tell Us About His Nature?


God’s omniscience means that He knows all things—past, present, and future. His knowledge is perfect and complete, extending beyond the scope of human understanding. The Psalmist captures this truth in Psalm 139:1-4: "O Jehovah, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Jehovah, you know it altogether."


God’s omniscience is closely related to His role as Creator. Because He made all things, He is intimately familiar with every detail of creation. He knows the workings of the universe and the thoughts and intentions of every human heart. Hebrews 4:13 affirms, "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." This verse highlights that nothing escapes God’s notice, and every action, thought, and word is known to Him.


God’s foreknowledge is also a crucial aspect of His omniscience. Because He exists outside of time, God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). This foreknowledge, however, does not negate human free will, as God knows in advance the choices people will freely make without determining those choices. Instead, God’s foreknowledge reflects His ability to see the entire course of history and work out His divine plan through it. Romans 8:29 affirms, "For those whom he foreknew he also decided beforehand [Or foreordained] to be conformed to the image of his Son." God's knowledge of future events does not force them to happen, but it demonstrates His perfect understanding of all things.


How Does God's Holiness Define His Nature?


Holiness is one of the most emphasized attributes of God in Scripture. To say that God is holy is to acknowledge His absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin. This aspect of God’s nature is repeatedly affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments. In Isaiah’s vision of Jehovah seated on His throne, the angels cry out, "Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3). The triple repetition of "holy" underscores the supreme holiness of God.


God’s holiness also sets Him apart from creation and humanity. He is not subject to the imperfections and limitations of the created order. As 1 Samuel 2:2 declares, "There is none holy like Jehovah; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God." This holiness is intrinsic to God’s nature and is the standard by which all moral laws are measured.


Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin or moral corruption. Habakkuk 1:13 states, "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong." This is why sin separates humanity from God and why a righteous God demands that sin be punished. The holiness of God reveals the seriousness of sin, as it violates His perfect standard. It also underscores the need for redemption, which is ultimately fulfilled through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was the sinless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:18-19).



How Is God's Love Manifested in His Nature?


God’s love is another central attribute that defines His nature. The Bible repeatedly affirms that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), revealing that His love is not just something He does but is an intrinsic part of His being. God’s love is expressed in His dealings with humanity, most notably in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 summarizes this truth: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."


The love of God is sacrificial, as seen in the atonement of Christ. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This sacrificial love is a reflection of God’s desire for the salvation of humanity, offering grace and mercy to those who do not deserve it. God's love is not conditional or based on human merit, but it is an expression of His divine nature, flowing out of His goodness and compassion.


Moreover, God's love is steadfast and eternal. In Jeremiah 31:3, God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." This steadfast love is a promise that God will never abandon His people, even when they falter. His love is not fleeting or dependent on circumstances, but it is constant and unchanging. This is also echoed in Romans 8:38-39, which affirms that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus.



How Does God's Justice Relate to His Nature?


God's justice is an essential aspect of His holiness. Because He is perfectly holy, He must also be perfectly just. This means that He cannot overlook sin or let injustice go unpunished. Deuteronomy 32:4 proclaims, "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." God’s justice ensures that He upholds righteousness and punishes evil, as justice is an expression of His perfect nature.

However, God's justice is not separate from His mercy. While He is a God of justice, He also extends grace to those who repent. This is evident throughout Scripture, where God’s justice is tempered by His willingness to forgive and show mercy. For example, in Psalm 103:8-10, it is written, "Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities." God's mercy and justice are perfectly balanced in His nature, ensuring that while sin is punished, forgiveness is available to those who seek it.


The ultimate expression of God’s justice and mercy is found in the cross of Christ. In Romans 3:26, Paul explains that God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, "so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Through the death of Jesus, God’s justice was satisfied, and His mercy was extended to humanity, allowing sinners to be forgiven without compromising His holy standard.



How Does God's Eternal Nature Shape Our Understanding of His Being?


God’s eternal nature sets Him apart from all created beings. He is not bound by time, nor does He have a beginning or end. Psalm 90:2 affirms this, saying, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." This eternal nature means that God exists outside the constraints of time and is unchanging in His essence.


Because God is eternal, His purposes and promises are sure. Isaiah 46:9-10 reveals God’s eternal plan: "I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’" God’s eternal nature assures believers that His promises are reliable and that He will bring His plans to fulfillment.


Furthermore, God's eternal existence means that He is unchanging. Malachi 3:6 declares, "For I Jehovah do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." This unchanging nature, known as God’s immutability, provides believers with confidence in His character and promises. While the world around us changes, God remains the same, faithful and steadfast.



How Does God’s Omnipresence Reflect His Divine Nature?


God’s omnipresence refers to His ability to be present everywhere at all times. Unlike created beings, God is not confined to a particular location. Psalm 139:7-10 expresses this truth: "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." This passage highlights that no matter where a person goes, God is always present.


The omnipresence of God also reflects His intimate knowledge and care for His creation. Jeremiah 23:24 asks, "Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares Jehovah. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares Jehovah." God’s omnipresence assures us that He is always near, guiding, sustaining, and watching over all things. This truth brings comfort to believers, knowing that God is never distant or unaware of their struggles.



How Does the Trinity Relate to God’s Nature?


The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most profound aspects of God's nature. While the word "Trinity" does not appear in Scripture, the concept of one God existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is a clear teaching of the Bible. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, yet there is only one God. This is a mystery that transcends human understanding but is foundational to the Christian faith.


Matthew 28:19 affirms the triune nature of God in Jesus’ command to His disciples: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This verse highlights the unity and equality of the three persons of the Trinity while maintaining the oneness of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, yet they are united in essence and purpose.


In John 10:30, Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one," emphasizing the unity between the Father and the Son. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of both God and Christ (Romans 8:9), indicating His divine nature and role within the Godhead.

The Trinity also plays a vital role in the salvation of humanity. The Father planned and initiated salvation, the Son accomplished it through His death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit applies it to believers by regenerating and sanctifying them. This triune work of God reflects the depth and complexity of His nature and His love for humanity.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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