Essence of God

DOCTRINE  OF GOD’S CHARACTER

1. Introduction:  There are three basic systems of perception – we learn everything through one of them.
1. Rationlism – what the mind says is true regardless of  any other factor.
2. Empiricism – the scientific method; everything is checked out by the sensory pattern correlated with the mind.
3. Faith – the original system of perception.  We accept things to be true and build upon it, for example, in math.  Faith is the means by which we understand spiritual phenomena whose nature is complex (Heb. 11:1).

1. WHAT IS  GOD LIKE -  DOCTRINE OF DIVINE ESSENCE:
1. SOVEREIGN – God has a will, He is infinite, and always does what He wants, He makes decicsions, policies, sets up principles, and very is involved in all creation, all the time:   Dan 4:35; Deut 4:39;  1 Chron. 29:12; Job 9:12; Psa 47:2; 83:18; 93:1; 135:6; Acts 17:24; 2 Chron. 20:6.
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS (n ot relative but absolute) – He is absolute perfection.  Ezra 9:15; Psa. 48:10; 119:137; 145:17; Jere. 23:6; 1 John 2:29.
3. JUSTICE -  He is absolutely just, it is impossible for Him to be unfair in anything.  Deut. 32:4; Isa 45:21.
4. LOVE – His love is perfect, never changing:  John 3:16; 16:27; Eph 2:4; 1 John 3:1; 4:9; 4:19.
5. ETERNAL LIFE – There never has been a time when He did not exist and there never will be a time in the future when He will not exist.  NO BEGINNING AND NO END:  Ex 15:18; Deut. 32:40; 33:27; Job 36:26; Psa 9:7; 135:13; 145:13; Lam 5:19; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:8; Isa. 43:13.
6. OMNISCIENT – He knows everything, always has and always will know everything:  Job 26:6; 31:4; 34:21; Psa 147:5; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20; Prov. 15:3.
7. OMNIPRESENT – Present everywhere all the time.  Josh 1:9; Gen. 28:15; 31:3; Deut. 4:39; 31:6; Psa. 139:8; Prov. 15:3; Isa 66:1; Jere. 23:24; Acts 17:27; Heb 13:5.
8. OMNIPOTENT – Al powerful, “He is able.”  Job 42:2; 26:7; Psa 115:3; 135:6; Hebrews 3:6; Matt. 19:26; Mark 14:36; Luke 1:37; Rev. 19:6.
9. IMMUTABLE – Unchangeable, He cannot change.  Num 23:19; Psa 33:11; 102:27; Heb 1:12; 7:20-21; 13:8; James 1:17.
10. VERACITY -  He is absolute TRUTH.        Deut. 32:4; 2 Sam. 7:28;  Psa 33:4; 146:6; Isa. 65:16; John 14:6.

3.  These characteristics are but a sample of God’s Character.  This Character of God is summed up in the word, “HOLY”.  Holy means “to be separate” and God is separate from all creation in essence.  However, close to all in His presence (omnipresent, see above).