God

The God of the Scriptures is clearly personal, one who thinks, acts, feels, loves, speaks and listens. He is also eternal, with no beginning or end to his life, and he is unchangeable in his character and plan. He is present everywhere, not limited by space or distance. He knows everything, past, present and future, without having to learn and with no possibility of error. And he has the power to do anything which is consistent with his character and will. He was able to create this universe, and it remains under his sovereign control and care as he works out his great plan.

The Bible's message to a lost world stresses the great truth that God is holy love. His holiness is clear in his perfect moral purity. He can neither commit nor condone sin. Right and wrong are important to him and so he demands obedience to his law. Sin must arouse his holy anger. This same God is equally characterised by love, shown supremely in the coming of Jesus Christ to die. There is nothing in us to attract or deserve such love, but God gave his Son, sparing no cost, and lovingly offers his Gospel to a needy world. He is the God of grace, showing his favour to sinners in active, powerful love.

There is a mysterious richness in God which we express in the doctrine of the Trinity. The whole Bible affirms that there is only one God. But as the Scriptures unfold it is gradually made clearer that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each personal and divine, living in a fellowship of eternal love. When Jesus sent his disciples into the world to preach good news he taught this truth: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28: 19).

What do these verses teach us about God?

Psalm 102: 26-27; 139: 1-4, ii-10; Isaiah 40: 25-26

What happened in these encounters with the holy God?

Exodus 3: 1-6; Isaiah 6: 1-7

In what ways are we casual or careless in our attitude to God?

What does the Bible tell us about God's anger?

Ezekiel 7: 1-4; Romans 1: 18-25

What do these verses say about God's love?

Jeremiah 31: 3; Hosea 11: 4

How did God show his love most dramatically?

John 3: 16; Romans 5: 8, 10; 1 John 4: 9-10

How do the Scriptures teach the doctrine of the Trinity?

Genesis 1: 26; Mark 1: 9-11,· Matthew 28: 19; 1 Peter 1: 2

If God is a fellowship of love, what difference should that make in our lives?