The True Character of God
God is known in the Bible as the creator of the whole world. He created everything in the world including the first humans in six days (Genesis 1:1-32). As His people, it is important for us to learn more about His character. It will help us to have a better understanding of who God is, and how we can apply His character to our daily lives.
One of the most important characteristics of God is love. God is love. He shows His love every day by providing us with food, water, and shelter. He provides these things to people who do not even love Him (Matthew 5:45). God also showed His love by sending His only son Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Because of Jesus we can have eternal life in heaven with God (John 3:16), (Romans 5:8).
This action of love shows us how much God really loves all those who believe in what Jesus did. Jesus’ action says a lot about His character because according to Romans 5:7, “Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die.” Jesus sacrificed His life so sinners like us can be saved from God’s judgement and eternal punishment.
God is holy and righteous that is why He must punish us for our sins. The truth is that we all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). That is why we deserve God’s judgement and eternal punishment. We can never be perfect like God but our faith in Jesus makes us right with Him (Romans 3:22). God is full of mercy and promises always to forgive us if we are truly sorry for our sins (1 John 1:9).
God is also faithful. He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Sometimes, He might stay silent or not answer our prayers. During the silent times when God feels far away is the time to seek Him the most. In Jeremiah 29: 12-13, God reminds us of what we need to do, “Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!”
In addition to His faithfulness, God is patient. He is patient in getting angry but also is patient when it comes to punishing us when we sin. Every minute that we are alive is an example of God’s grace and patience because death is one of our punishments for sin (Romans 6:23). God does not want anyone to be lost in hell but wants all to repent and change (2 Peter 3:9).
The Bible is full of scripture that talks about God’s love, but also talks about His wrath. Have you ever seen your parents get upset or mad when you have done something they told you not to? Maybe not the first time, but what if you continued to do what they told you not to do? God is similar in that if we do not listen to Him, He will punish us. The truth is, if we are not sorry for doing what God told us not to do, we will experience His wrath. Romans 2:5 reminds us that,
“If we are stubborn and refuse to change, we are making our own punishment even greater on the day God shows His anger. On that day everyone will see God’s right judgments.”
We learn that God is love but also has wrath. He is holy but also is righteous and faithful. Another characteristic of God is that He is sovereign. He has the authority to do that He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and the deep oceans (Psalm 135:6). God controls everything that happens either if it is good or bad. We can find comfort in any circumstance knowing God is sovereign, controlling every aspect of our lives (Romans 9:11-12).
