The pursuit of knowing God is the highest calling of mankind. From the beginning, God has revealed Himself to humanity, desiring that we would not only acknowledge His existence but enter into a relationship with Him. The attributes of God—His nature, character, and perfections—are essential to our understanding of who He is and how we are to live in light of that knowledge. Without a right view of God, we will inevitably fall into theological error, moral failure, and spiritual confusion. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the divine self-revelation of God, providing us with clear descriptions of His attributes and the means by which we can know Him.
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The Attributes of God: Who He Is
The attributes of God are revealed in Scripture, and while His nature is beyond full human comprehension, He has given us enough knowledge to worship Him rightly. Some of His attributes are communicable, meaning they reflect qualities that humans can share in some measure, while others are incommunicable, belonging to God alone. These attributes are not parts of God but rather describe His being in totality.
1. God’s Holiness
Holiness is the defining attribute of God. It means that He is utterly set apart from all that is sinful or common. Isaiah was given a vision of God’s holiness, where the seraphim cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). God’s holiness is also a standard for His people: “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). This holiness is not simply moral purity but complete transcendence—He is wholly other, infinitely above all things.
2. God’s Sovereignty
God is in absolute control over all things. His sovereignty means that He rules over creation, history, and salvation. “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). His sovereignty is evident in the dispensational unfolding of His plans, governing Israel, the Church, and the future restoration of all things in Christ. Romans 9:15-16 emphasizes that salvation itself is an act of divine sovereignty: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
3. God’s Omniscience
God knows everything—past, present, and future. His knowledge is perfect and exhaustive. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). He declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), foreknows all things, and even knows the hearts of men (Hebrews 4:13). This omniscience assures believers that nothing escapes His notice, and every promise He has made will be fulfilled.
4. God’s Omnipotence
God is all-powerful, capable of accomplishing whatever He wills. His power is evident in creation: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6). Jesus demonstrated divine omnipotence in His miracles, showing authority over nature, sickness, demons, and death (Matthew 8:27, John 11:43-44). The ultimate display of His power will be in the resurrection and final establishment of His Kingdom.
5. God’s Love
God’s love is boundless and sacrificial. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The supreme demonstration of His love is found in Christ: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). His love is also expressed in His patience, kindness, and faithfulness to His promises. Even in judgment, His love is evident, as He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
6. God’s Righteousness and Justice
God is perfectly just and will execute righteousness in His judgment. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:17). His justice demands the punishment of sin, yet His love provided atonement through Christ. The coming judgment, particularly during the Tribulation period, will be the ultimate display of His righteousness in dealing with a rebellious world (Revelation 20:11-15).
(This list in not complete but serves as a sampling of God’s attributes)
Why Knowing God is Essential
A.W. Tozer famously wrote:
“A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well…I believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be traced to imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God.” (Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy).
Tozer was a 20th-century pastor and theologian who emphasized the importance of knowing God rightly. His writings, particularly The Knowledge of the Holy, have influenced generations by calling believers to a high view of God. He warned against the dangers of idolatry—not merely of carved images, but of false conceptions of God in the mind. Tozer’s legacy remains in his urgent call to reverence, awe, and deep contemplation of the Almighty.
How We Can Know God More Deeply
God has provided many ways for us to know Him:
1. Through His Word
The Bible is the primary means by which God reveals Himself. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Regular study of Scripture deepens our understanding of His attributes and His will.
2. Through His Creation
Creation declares God’s glory. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). From the complexity of the human body to the vastness of the universe, everything testifies to His divine nature and power (Romans 1:20).
3. Through Prayer and Worship
Intimacy with God is cultivated through prayer. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). Worship, both private and corporate, aligns our hearts with His and exalts Him as supreme.
4. Through His Redemptive Plan
God’s ultimate revelation is found in Christ. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). The Gospel—Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection—is the supreme display of His character. In the dispensational unfolding of His plan, He first worked through Israel, then through the Church, and will ultimately bring all things under Christ’s rule in His coming Kingdom.
Conclusion
Knowing God is the foundation of true faith. His attributes shape our theology, our worship, and our lives. To see Him rightly is to live rightly. As we seek Him, we grow in grace and stand in awe of His infinite majesty. The Apostle Paul summarized this pursuit beautifully:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
