WHO IS GOD?
In order to understand why we believe and practice certain things as Christians, and how we should speak with those who are not Christians, we must begin with God Himself. Everything in our faith depends on who God is. If we have an incorrect understanding of Him, then our beliefs, actions, and attitudes will also be affected.
A misunderstanding of God leads to serious consequences. It can cause us to think negatively about Him or doubt our salvation. It may result in a lack of confidence, leaving us unsure if we can truly know we are saved. It can also lead to misapplying Scripture and misunderstanding His will. This problem is seen in passages such as Hosea 4:1–6 and Micah 6:6–8, where a lack of knowledge about God leads to a failure to live as He desires.
If we desire a relationship with God, then we must seek to know Him. Without knowing Him, there can be no true connection, and our actions may be driven by fear or routine rather than love. I John 4:18 teaches that perfect love casts out fear. As we come to know God more fully, our love for Him should grow and replace fear.
So how can we know God? - One way is through observing His creation. Psalm 19:1–4 explains that the heavens declare the glory of God. The order and complexity of the world point to a Creator. From creation, we can clearly see God’s power and recognize that He exists. However, creation can only reveal so much. It does not tell us God’s will or fully explain His character. If we are to know Him more completely, He must reveal Himself to us.
God has done this through His Word. Since we cannot read minds, we rely on words to understand one another. In the same way, we depend on God to tell us about Himself. In 1 Corinthians 2:1–13, we learn that God has revealed what He has prepared for us through His Spirit. Verse 16 goes further and says that we can have the mind of Christ. Through Scripture, God has made His will known so that we may understand Him.
This truth is repeated throughout the New Testament. II Timothy 3:16–17 teaches that all Scripture is inspired by God so that we as Christians “may be complete and equipped for every good work.” II Peter 1:16–21 reminds us that Scripture comes from God. Paul also refers to “the mystery” in Ephesians 3:1–5, explaining that it has now been revealed. This mystery is God’s will made known to mankind. Therefore, if we study Scripture, we can know God.
It is important to remember that God does not change. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and He remains the same (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19). What He has said continues to be true today. For this reason, the Bible is essential if we want to know Him.
This is seen clearly in the example of Moses. In Exodus 33:11–18, Moses asks God to show him His glory. Although Moses had already witnessed God’s power through the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, he desired to know more. He did not only want to see what God could do, he wanted to know who God is. This same desire is expressed in Psalm 42:1–2, where the soul longs for God.
In Exodus 34:5–8, God answers Moses by revealing His character. His proclamation to Moses is as follows: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Since God cannot lie, this description gives us a reliable understanding of who He is.
Knowing God shapes how we live. When we understand who He is, our faith becomes grounded, our fear is replaced with love, and our lives begin to reflect His character.
Cole LeBlanc