Summary: Humans do not have unlimited abilities (attributes), but possess only an understanding of God’s presence and these abilities.

A. INTRODUCTION

1. An attribute of God is that which:

a. Uniquely identifies only Him.

b. Uniquely possessed only by Him, and reflects Him.

c. Uniquely expresses His nature, and defines His abilities.

2. Humans do not have these unlimited abilities, but possess only an understanding of God’s presence and these abilities.

3. God absolute attributes:

a. Omniscience – to know all things actual and possible.

b. Omnipresent – to be everywhere present, equally, at the same time.

c. Omnipotence – to do all things doable.

4. God’s moral abilities existing in pure and unlimited capacity – love, “God is love” (1 John 4:7). God is holy, to set apart. “I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). God is good, “Only God is truly good” (Luke 18:19, NLT).

5. God’s omniscience – God knows all things actual and potentially, without limits. “His (God’s) understanding is beyond comprehension” (Psalm 147:5, NLT).

a. He knows without learning (Isaiah 40:13-14).

b. He knows everything equally well (Hebrews 4:13).

c. He knows everything that exist, previously existed, and will exist (Psalm 147:4-5).

d. He knows you and everything you have done, known, and planned to do (Psalm 139:13-17).

6. God’s omnipresence – God is equally present, everywhere, at all times, past, present and future (Psalm 137:7-9):

a. His localization presence (Exodus 40:34-38).

b. His indwelling presence (Galatians 2:20).

c. His institutional presence (Revelation 2:5; Matthew 18:20).

d. His omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-9).

e. His manifest presence, “I am holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:13).

7. God’s omnipotence – “Ever since God created the world, His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and His divine nature have been clearly seen, men can perceive them in the things God has made” (Romans 1:20, TEV).

8. God is love – “Love is giving yourself to the one you love.

a. Great love, to give yourself for a friend (John 15:17).

b. Understand love (1 John 3:16).

c. What is love (1 John 4:10).

9. God is holy. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). When you pray the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed (holy) be Your name … on earth, as in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9-11).

a. Asking – in this life to be made holy.

b. In salvation, we accept His righteousness (holiness) for salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

10. God is good. “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Luke 18:19).

a. Many synonyms: moral, quality, excellent, proper, expected behavior, worthy, reliable, genuine, advantageous.

b. How goodness is manifested,

(1) God’s mercy (Psalm 51:1).

(2) God’s grace.

(3) God’s benevolence (Matthew 5:45).

(4) God’s longsuffering (2 Pewter 3:9).

(5) Now God expects you to be good (1 Thessalonians 5:20), do good works (Matthew 5:16), do good (Psalm 27:7).

B. HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND

1. Realize the opposite, “our righteousness are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

2. Claim God’s goodness and righteousness. “Not having my own righteousness … but the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

3. Let God’s power flow through you (Galatians 2:20).

4. Thank God for His personal presence in you (Colossians 2:2-3, 6).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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