Who is God? 4 Biblical Truths to Help Us Know God

Introduction

Let’s start with an essential truth: no one can fully comprehend everything about God. The late Professor Kwame Bediako, founder and first rector of the Akrofi Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, profoundly noted that theology—the study of God—entails saying something about God because He first revealed something about Himself. What God has revealed is what we study and call theology.

The primary focus of theology is the study of God, often referred to as Theology Proper. This series on doctrine begins with exploring the nature of God. Understanding who God is, is crucial for relating to Him appropriately. Our knowledge or ignorance of God does not affect Him but significantly influences our eternal destination—either with Him in heaven or without Him in hell.

In this series, we will rely solely on the Bible to understand and know God. God has revealed Himself through creation (General Revelation) and, most importantly, through His Word (Special Revelation).

Four Biblical Ways to Know God

1. God Existed Before All Things.

The first vital truth about God is His pre-existence before everything. There was never a time when God did not exist.

Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God was already there before the beginning. Revelation 1 reveals God as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Ancient of Days.

Numerous biblical texts affirm that God existed before all things, including Satan, angels, and humanity. This implies that no being, human or spirit, predates God.

2. God Created All Things.

The second essential truth is that God created everything—visible and invisible, in heaven, on earth, and under the sea. Nothing exists outside of God’s creation.

Genesis 1 details how God created the heavens and the earth and fashioned everything from nothing, including man in His own image and likeness. Revelation states that God created everything for His pleasure, owning it all. Psalm 24 affirms, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Thus, God not only pre-existed everything but also made everything. He willed all things into existence for His pleasure. This means that as the Creator, He has the power to recreate when things go wrong. He is the Lord over everything.

3. God Sustains All Things

The third truth is that God sustains all things by the word of His power. The Creator also maintains His creation.

Hebrews asserts that God sustains all things by His powerful word. He has established natural laws to keep everything functioning as ordained. We are stewards, but God is the Master Sustainer.

The Psalmist proclaims that God, who watches over Israel, neither sleeps nor slumbers, actively overseeing His creation. Everything that happens works for His good purposes.

God did not create the world and leave it to run on its own. Human efforts cannot sustain creation without God’s intervention. The more we rely on ourselves, the more things deteriorate. Trusting in God ensures He watches over and fulfills His promises to us.

4. God Will Renew All Things.

The final truth is that God will renew everything when Christ returns to judge wickedness and reward righteousness. Since Adam’s fall and Christ’s coming have divided the world into sinners and saints, Christ will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25).

The Prophet Isaiah foretells that God will make all things new, doing away with the old creation. Revelation also promises a new creation where sin, sorrow, and weeping will no longer exist.

Even before this ultimate renewal, God is renewing anyone who trusts in Him. 2 Corinthians states that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation—the old has gone, the new has come. Only the power of God can make us truly new.

Conclusion

Our study of biblical doctrines reveals that God existed before all things, created all things, sustains all things, and will renew all things. No wonder Jesus said that without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, everything is possible.

What have you learned from the doctrine of God? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

Eric Otchere is committed to declaring the whole counsel of God through systematic preaching and writing of God’s Word. Connect with him via info@livingourbible.com.