What the Bible Says About Who God Is
What is God like? It’s an important question—and one the Bible answers clearly. God has not hidden Himself.
Several of these attributes are called “communicable” because humans–who are made in God’s image–are able to display them in our lives. We become more like Christ as we grow in these characteristics through the Holy Spirit’s help.
God Is Holy
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3, NIV) God is completely set apart from sin. He is pure and perfect in every way. When Isaiah saw the Lord, he immediately recognized his own sinfulness. That’s what happens when we see God’s holiness clearly. We begin to understand who He is—and who we are. Yet, the Bible instructs us, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16; Lev. 11:44). We can grow in holiness.
God Is Love
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8, NIV) God’s actions flow from His love. This is seen most clearly in Jesus Christ. God sent His Son into the world to save sinners. His love is not distant or abstract—it is active and personal.
God Is Just
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NIV) God always does what is right. Sin is not overlooked. Every wrong will be addressed. This is part of what makes the cross so important—because at the cross God’s justice is carried out, while His mercy is also freely given.
God Is Merciful and Gracious
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8, NIV) God shows compassion to those who turn to Him. He is patient. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Again and again, Scripture shows His willingness to forgive and restore.
God Is Faithful
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations…” (Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV) God keeps His promises. What He says, He does. His plans do not fail, even when circumstances change or when we struggle to understand.
Where We See This Most Clearly
“The Son is the image of the invisible God…” (Colossians 1:15, NIV) If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. In Him, we see God’s holiness, love, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and authority on display.
To know God rightly is to live with clarity and confidence. His holiness humbles us, His love draws us in, His justice assures us, and His faithfulness holds us steady. When life feels uncertain, His character is not. He remains who He has always been.And we have the promise that for all who are in Christ, we will one day be like him. The Bible says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). God does not change, but we CAN with the Spirit’s help.
None Like Him and In His Image Gift Edition: Beholding the Character of God
A. W. Tozer famously said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” In this beautiful gift edition of None Like Him and In His Image–two beloved books in one–Jen Wilkin explores ten ways God is unlike humans, and ten attributes of God that Christians are called to reflect. As you behold the character of God, you’ll be transformed into more of his likeness and discover who you were created to be.