Understanding the Nature of God

Last updated on: August 16, 2024 at 8:00 am by Richard E. Simmons III

Understanding the Nature of God 2024-08-16T08:00:42-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When you think of God, his nature and what he is really like, what comes to mind? Many people naturally see him as kind and loving. He is mysterious. I find there are many who believe He is not easy to please. Unfortunately, many see Him as being uncaring.

Since the Bible tells us that human beings are made and designed in the image of God, then we posses a number of His characteristics. We can think, reason, and communicate because God can think, reason and communicate. We have a personality and emotions just as He does. He made us to be relational beings because He is a relational God. We know this to be true because if we were not relational beings, there would be no such thing as loneliness.

I might point out that this is why the Trinity is so important to grasp and understand, because God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have been in relationship throughout eternity. You see Jesus spend time with God the Father and pray, for instance, in John 17. In Luke 4:1 you see Jesus being led around in the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we are told that He is a God of love and therefore as His image bearer, we are able to love.

However, it strikes me that there is one characteristic of God that no one really thinks about when considering His nature. We are told He is a God that is full of joy.

In Nehemiah 8:10 we read these words, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” In I Thessalonians 1:6 we see this phrase: “… the joy of the Holy Spirit.” In Psalm 16:11 David says, “in Thy presence is fullness of joy.” Then in Psalm 21:6, David says, “You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.” And finally, and most significantly Jesus says in John 15:11 and John 17:13, that His desire is to give each of us His joy and that our joy would be made full. Where nothing further can be added to it.

As we consider the joy of God, we need to also know that God sings. In Zephariah 3:17 we are told that God “… will rejoice over you with loud singing.” Can you imagine that? The God of the universe desires to joyfully sing over us.

Interestingly, there is a verse in the Bible that speaks of a kind of joy that is experienced by those who don’t look to God and Christ for their joy. In Job 20:5 we are told, “… the joy of the godless is temporary.” So, there is a joy that can be found outside of God. The problem is, it does not last. There is no fullness.

I often share this thought with men who are searching spiritually: You can go to the greatest vacation resorts in the world, play on the finest golf courses, eat at the highest rated restaurants, drink expensive wine and have the greatest sex, but you wake up in the morning and the thrill is gone. It does not last.

We must understand that Jesus is the source of all joy and His desire is to give it to us.

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 1, 2024

A Source of Unhappiness

Next Post

August 23, 2024 The Danger of Being “Super-Rich”

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Character Development Inspiration Leadership Life Purpose Personal Growth Relationships Seeking God Spiritual Truth The Bible True Masculinity Uncategorized Wisdom

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary fabric used for clothing?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Silk Wool Linen Cotton