We hear about the attributes of God fairly often. We know God alone is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, and sovereign. Recently though I felt there was more I needed to know about God and so I began going through the study, “The Attributes of God” by The Daily Grace Co. I highly recommend it.
No matter how much we may think we know about God, the truth is – we have barely scratched the surface of knowing all He is and all He encompasses.
Why study the attributes of God?
“The attributes of God reveal three things. They reveal His character, our sin, and the glorious gospel.”
(from The Attributes of God, by The Daily Grace Co., page 11)
We want to know God, understand Who He is, so that we let Him change us and in the process, life will be put into the right perspective.
“The more you know God for who He truly is, the more you will absolutely love Him.”
(Susie Larson)
And isn’t that what we have been called to do?
Jesus was asked the question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
(Matthew 22:36, NASB)
“And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (verse 37, NASB)
Knowing God, not just about Him, grows our faith and moves us to the point of obedience to His Word. Knowing God will help us to put life into its proper perspective. It will guide us so that we keep the important parts of life as our first priority.
There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
Knowing God, it is more than just semantics. We can know about something or someone without having experienced it or them. To truly know God is to experience Him in our lives daily.
Driving to an appointment, this song came on from my CD. As I listened over and over to the words, I realized how knowing the attributes of God, grows our understanding of who He is, and the manner in which He works in our lives.
Know God in His magnificence,
His beauty,
and in all His wonderful ways.
It is easy for us to forget that the “first will be last and the last first.” In her post, The Best of Us? HERE, Pam Ecrement raises the question, Who are the best of us? May we have hearts willing to serve the Lord, even when we are unseen.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Karl Egger from Pixabay
“No matter how much we may think we know about God, the truth is – we have barely scratched the surface of knowing all He is and all He encompasses.” Absolutely!
And I believe it will take eternity to do so Joanne! ☺️
Blessings, Jennifer
I think so too, Jennifer! Have a blessed day!
I’m trying to adopt the habit of asking myself questions at the end of Bible reading:
What did I discover about God here?
How should I then respond?
Those are great questions, Michele. I realize I have been looking for what I discover about God as I read but those questions put it succinctly. Every part of Scripture is point us to God, Who He is, and the gift of salvation. Amazing.
“The more you know God for who He truly is, the more you will absolutely love Him.”
This is my story, this is my song.
Adoration.
Comment *❤️ Amen!
I’ve really enjoyed Jen Wilkin’s two books about God’s attributes: None Like Him, the attributes He has that we don’t (omniscience, etc.), and In His Image, the attributes of God that are supposed to show up in our lives. One surprising result of the first one was that anxieties just melted away as I learned and mediated on Him. He can handle anything!
It’s true it is so vital that we know Him. First in salvation, as John 17:3 says, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” But then we spend a lifetime getting to know Him better and better. The better we know Him, the more assured we are of His love and care and power, and the more we want to bring ourselves in line with His will.
Barbara, reading about the communicable and incommunicable attributes and their distinctions has been so powerful as I go through this study. It’s amazing how it grounds us in Him. Have a blessed day!
Joanne, I love this post, especially this quote: “Knowing God, it is more than just semantics. We can know about something or someone without having experienced it or them. To truly know God is to experience Him in our lives daily.”
Ten years ago, Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, was so inspiring to me. Each of the 26 individual Names of Jesus Christ which she identified were so special, as Krista intricately painted each one with its Scripture reference. My heart was drawn to write a devotional word study based on the Scripture reference for each Name, starting with the letter “A” for “Alpha and Omega” and continuing through all 26 letters to “Z” for “King of Zion. Combining the beauty of Krista’s artistic excellence with these word study devotionals is perfect for individual quiet reflection or small group Bible studies focusing on the Name Above All Names—Jesus Christ—and His attributes and characteristics.
I am forever grateful for this wonderful review by Michele Morin: “The infinite variety in nature, the curious complexity of human behavior, the synchronicity of multiple systems in our own anatomy — and in the solar system — all point, through general revelation, to the nature of God: multi-faceted, magnificent, and yet mysterious. Special revelation in Scripture picks up where creation leaves off, and Beth Willis Miller has teamed up with artist Krista Hamrick to focus on twenty-six pieces of evidence in Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ. The result is an alphabetical collection that resembles a twenty-six sided gem, each facet reflecting a slightly different hue of the nature of God the Son. From Alpha and Omega to King of Zion, each devotional highlights the Scriptural basis for the name in multiple translations and then provides commentary on the verses. Beth applies the truth and then invites her readers to join her in a prayer that turns the truth into a paean of praise. No mere academic exercise, the point of Name Above All Names Devotional is threefold:
Look up – Meditate on the name and what it reveals about the character of God.
Look in – I am propelled to ask galvanizing questions about my discoveries: “Because God is ___________________, I should therefore _______________.”
Look out – Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
With full-color art work and space for notes, Name Above All Names Devotional is a treasure for devotional reading, a resource for serious study, and a thoughtful and inspiring gift for loved ones.” (review by Michele Morin))
https://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_2.html
Thank you for sharing this, Beth!
Wow, Joanne! I can’t believe how timely this post is but, then again, we’re talking about God and HIs timing is perfect! This morning we dig into our new bible study for the fall – John – Believe I Am by Megan Fate Marshman and at our leader meeting yesterday we focused on the difference between knowing about God (having knowledge of Him) and knowing God (having a deep relationship with Him). I’m excited to begin and I thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! Happy Wednesday!
Very on point with this post. You’re so right that knowing about God is not the same as knowing Him. Sadly, too many of our churches have many who have not understood that distinction and continued to seek knowledge without a personal relationship with Him.
Hi Joanne,
This summer I read Jen Wilkins’ book None Like Him. It is an excellent book as well for taking a pause from what I think about God to who He says He is.
She takes time and intention to reveal how easily we try to perceive ourselves like God.
It’s a great book and resource.
I also love to recite the ABCs of God’s character when I am afraid or feeling anxious. It’s a life giving, calming exercise to remember who He is, and what I am not.
Thank you for turning our eyes toward Jesus.
One of the best parts of Bible study is there is always something new to learn about God and how He relates to us.
I’m smiling reading that you listened to the song on a CD in your car. I miss having a car CD player! To truly know God takes intention and time. I often forget this moment by moment as my day unfolds, yet to “truly know God is to experience Him in our lives daily.” Thank you for pointing us to knowing God deeper.