Knowing God Accurately · Part 2 of 4

Knowing the Nature and Character of God

Who God is at His very being — and why His nature transforms ours.

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Recap of Last Week

An overview of Knowing God Accurately: many believers want to know God, many assume they know Him, many hope they will find Him someday, and many excuse their spiritual laziness by saying, "God is too mysterious to be known." But Scripture does not leave us in the dark. As eternal and majestic as God is, He desires to be known — through Scripture, careful study of His names, through Jesus Christ, and through experience with God.

Benefits of Knowing God Accurately

It strengthens your faith. It brings peace and stability. It deepens your relationship with God. It protects you from false teachings. It gives hope for the future.

This Week's Focus: Knowing the Nature and Character of God

You Cannot Choose Your Own Path to Knowing God

You are not permitted to invent your own method of knowing God.

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings."Philippians 3:10

One of the greatest privileges of the Christian life is to know God — not merely to know about Him, but to know Him personally, accurately, and deeply.

"And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."John 17:3

Three Dimensions of Knowing God

There are three major dimensions that help us understand God's revelation, and all three must be held together properly:

  • His Nature and Character — Who God Is
  • His Ways — How God Operates
  • His Power — What God Can Do

His Power teaches us what God can do — His creative, saving, healing, sustaining, and resurrection power. His Ways teach us how God operates — His principles, processes, timing, wisdom, dealings, and patterns. His Nature teaches us who God is — His holiness, goodness, love, mercy, righteousness, faithfulness, wisdom, and unchanging character.

A Simple Way to Remember

His Nature transforms your nature. His Ways impart wisdom. His Power equips you for service and works.

Defining Nature and Character

What is Nature? Nature is the natural way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. In the Bible, a person's nature refers to their inner character or heart. When we speak of God's nature, we are asking: "Who is God in His very being?"

  • God is Spirit (John 4:24)
  • God is holy (Isaiah 6:3)
  • God is love (1 John 4:8)
  • God is eternal (Psalm 90:2)

What is Character? Character is who you are on the inside and how you usually behave — the qualities that shape how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Character answers: "What is God like in His dealings, attitudes, and actions?"

  • God is merciful, gracious, and faithful
  • God is righteous, compassionate, and patient
  • God is truthful and good

Therefore: Nature speaks to who God is. Character speaks to what God is like. God's actions flow from His character.

His Nature and Character — Who God Is

"What kind of God is He?" Among the attributes revealed in Scripture are:

God's Holiness

He is absolutely pure, distinct, and incomparable. Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; 1 Peter 1:15–16

God's Love

God's love is not merely an emotion; it is demonstrated through His self-giving commitment. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9–10

God's Mercy

He does not treat us according to the full measure of what our sins deserve. Psalm 103:8–12; Ephesians 2:4–5; Titus 3:5

God's Faithfulness

God is dependable and true to His covenant and promises. Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:22–23; 1 Corinthians 1:9

God's Righteousness and Justice

Everything God does is consistent with His perfect righteousness. Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 145:17

God's Goodness

God is inherently good, and His goodness is expressed toward His creation. Psalm 34:8; Psalm 100:5; Mark 10:18

God's Sovereignty

God is the supreme ruler and Lord over creation. Psalm 103:19; Daniel 4:35; Revelation 19:6

God's Immutability

God does not change in His essential nature or character.

"For I the LORD do not change." — Malachi 3:6  /  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."Hebrews 13:8

Summary: His nature and character reveal His identity — the eternal qualities that define who He is.

Why We Must Know God's Nature and Character

Our understanding of God determines how we respond to Him. If we believe God is cruel, we will approach Him with fear. If we believe God is unreliable, we will struggle to trust His promises. If we believe God is distant, prayer may become a religious duty. But when Scripture reveals God as holy, loving, merciful, faithful, righteous, and good, we can approach Him with reverence, confidence, and trust.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 4:16

The Transforming Power of Knowing God's Nature

Revelation must produce transformation. When we know that God is holy, we pursue holiness. When we know that God is love, we learn to love. When we know that God is merciful, we become merciful. When we know that God is faithful, we learn to trust and become faithful.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image."2 Corinthians 3:18

What we continually behold shapes us. His nature transforms our nature.

A Critical Principle

Do not interpret God's character through your circumstances. Interpret your circumstances through God's revealed character.

Your circumstances change. God does not. Your emotions change. God does not. People change. God remains faithful.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."Hebrews 13:8

Therefore, when life becomes difficult, return to what Scripture has already revealed about God. This is the foundation upon which faith stands.

Say This Aloud

I know God according to His Word. I will not define God by my circumstances, my fears, my past, or the opinions of people. I believe what Scripture reveals about Him. God is holy. God is good. God is love. God is merciful. God is faithful. God is righteous. God is sovereign. God is unchanging. I will know God accurately. I will walk with God faithfully. I will represent God faithfully. And the knowledge of God will transform my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Example 1: God Is Good

When Moses asked God to show him His glory, God responded:

"I will make all My goodness pass before you."Exodus 33:19

God connects the revelation of His glory with His goodness. Jesus also said, "No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). God's goodness is not merely something He occasionally demonstrates — God is good.

This does not mean everything that happens in our lives is good — Scripture clearly acknowledges suffering, evil, injustice, and human sin. Rather, it means that God's character remains good even when our circumstances are difficult to understand.

Example 2: God Is Everlasting

"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable."Isaiah 40:28

God does not grow old, become exhausted, or lose His power. His faithfulness does not expire. His wisdom does not diminish. His love does not become obsolete.

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end."Lamentations 3:22

When circumstances make us feel forgotten, God's character remains unchanged.

Example 3: God Is Merciful, Gracious, and Slow to Anger

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."Psalm 103:8

Psalm 103 describes a God who forgives our iniquities, heals our diseases, redeems our lives, shows steadfast love, remembers that we are dust, and extends His mercy to those who fear Him (Psalm 103:8–18).

When you pray, you are not addressing an abstract force. You are approaching the God who has revealed Himself as the Merciful One, the Gracious One, the Faithful One, the Compassionate One, the Righteous One, the Everlasting One. This knowledge becomes an anchor for faith.

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