The Nature of God
Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.
Romans 1:2
There comes a point in all stories where the main character—called the “protagonist”—is revealed. In the Bible, that protagonist is God, and He appears in the first sentence: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Throughout Scripture, we find that He continues to reveal Himself in three primary ways: (1) through general revelation, (2) through special revelation, and (3) through Christ.
“General revelation” refers to the way God reveals Himself through the beauty and order of His creation. David proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). “Special revelation” refers to the way God reveals Himself through the divinely inspired prophets and apostles who wrote the books of this Bible. In the written word, God defines Himself and explains who we are and why we are here. However, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Jesus declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
The Bible never portrays God as some impersonal deity who creates the world and then walks away. In fact, we find that He is integral to every aspect of His creation. His Word speaks to matters of faith as well as matters of everyday practice; to the spiritual and sacred as well as to the physical and secular; and to the eternal as well as the temporal. The Bible addresses every essential discipline in society.
For example, “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) is laden with theological and philosophical ramifications. God planting “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis) in the Garden of Eden speaks to ethics, and creating the animal kingdom “according to their kinds” (Genesis 1:21) speaks to biological distinctions. The statement that “man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7) addresses humans’ psychological, spiritual and physical nature. God’s command to “be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28) is a sociological and ecological statement, and He speaks to political and legal concerns when He says, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis 9:6). His words to Adam and Eve that every seed-bearing plant “will be yours for food” (Genesis 1:29) is an economic statement. His statement, “I will put enmity between you and the woman” (Genesis 3:15), contains historical and prophetic ramifications.
God underlines the significance of all these disciplines in the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ. In theology and philosophy, Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead (see Colossians 2:9) and the Logos (Word) of God (see John 1:1). In ethics, Jesus is the true light (see John 1:9). In biology, He took on the form of a man (see Philippians 2:7) and became our source for physical and spiritual life (see John 1:4). In psychology, Jesus is the true and perfect man who saves and transforms us (see Luke 1:46-47). In sociology, Jesus is our example for social relationships (see 1 Peter 2:21). In law and politics, Jesus came to fulfill the Law (see Matthew 5:17) and is the King of kings (see Revelation 19:16). In economics, Jesus is the owner of all things (see 1 Corinthians 10:26). In history and prophecy, Jesus is the beginning and the end (see Revelation 1:8).
a few questions to ponder:
In what three primary ways has God chosen to reveal Himself to humans?
What evidence do we have from Scripture that God desires to be intimately involved in the lives of His people?
Read Psalm 19:7-11. What appreciation does David express to God for giving laws and for guiding his steps?
What comfort can you take in knowing that God is integral to every part of your life? How does it make you feel to understand that He wants you to know Him?
In what ways has God personally made Himself known to you?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.