Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
There are four definitions of God in the Bible, which reveal His nature. Since God can not be defined – the definitions are insufficient. But, in His infinite mercy, God has given us these definitions, to help us, in our human frailty, to see Him better – though we are limited by our flesh. The Words of the Bible throw “light” on His nature.
THE FOUR DEFINITIONS OF GOD FROM THE BIBLE:
- God is love. This is the nature of God in His divine compassion. 1 John 4:8 – He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
- God is light. This is the nature of God in His divine character – in Him there is no darkness. 1 John 1:5 – This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
- God is a consuming fire. This is the nature of God in His divine holiness. Heb. 12:29 – For our God is a consuming fire.
- God is a spirit. This is the nature of God in His divine essence. John 4:24 – God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
These attributes of God reveal His nature. His attributes should not be thought of as abstract, such as the New Age does. They are vital mediums through which His holy nature is unveiled – ascribed only to Him – such as:
- Life itself is ascribed to God. John 5:26 – For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself
- His omniscience – all knowledge is ascribed to God. Ps. 147:5 – Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.
- His omnipotence – all power is ascribed to God. Rev. 19:6 – And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
- His omnipresence – filling the universe with His presence is ascribed to God – He is everywhere present at once. Ps. 139:7 – Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
God is everywhere present – but He is not “in everything.” If God were in everything, then it would be perfectly acceptable to worship your kitchen table! God is a spirit being. He is not your co-pilot, buddy, the “big guy,” or “the man upstairs.”
The Vine Vigil 