What may be known of God?
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul began to explain God’s indictment upon the whole world – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1: 18-20)
Warren Weirsbe points out in his commentary that man from the beginning of creation, knew God. However, as found in the story of Adam and Eve, man turned away from God and rejected Him.
It says in the above verses that ‘what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.’ Every man and woman are born with a conscience. What has God shown to us? He has shown us His creation. Consider God’s creation around us. What does it tell us about God when we see the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the plants and animals? It tells us that God is a magnificent intelligent Creator. His power and abilities are much greater that ours.
What are God’s ‘invisible’ attributes?
First of all, God is omnipresent. This means that God is present everywhere at once. God is ‘present’ in all His creation, but not limited by His creation. God’s omnipresence is not a necessary part of who He is, but is a free act of His will. The false belief of pantheism binds God to the universe and makes Him subject to it. However, God is transcendent and not subject to the limitations of His creation.
God is omniscient. He is infinite in knowledge. He knows all things, including Himself perfectly and completely; whether past, present, or future. Scripture tells us that nothing is hidden from Him. God knows all things possible. He knows the future.
God is omnipotent. He is all powerful and able to do whatever He wills. He can do whatever is consistent with His nature. He cannot look with favour on iniquity. He cannot deny Himself. He cannot lie. He cannot tempt or be tempted to sin. One day those who believe they are the strongest and greatest will seek to hide from Him, and every knee will one day bow to Him.
God is immutable. He is unchangeable in His ‘essence, attributes, consciousness, and will.’ Neither improvement nor deterioration is possible with God. God does not ‘vary,’ regarding His character, His power, His plans and purposes, His promises, His love and mercy, or His justice.
God is righteous and just. God is good. God is truth.
God is holy, or separate from and exalted above all His creatures and from all moral evil and sin. There is a chasm between God and the sinner, and God can be approached with reverence and awe only through the merits of what Jesus has done. (Thiessen 80-88)
REFERENCES:
Thiesson, Henry Clarence. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979.
Weirsbe, Warren W., The Weirsbe Bible Commentary. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007.
