Some attributes of God - JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

An attribute is the nature, characteristics,quality or behavior of someone or something. As a supreme being, God has the following attribute.

1. GOD IS A SOVEREIGN CREATOR: Being sovereign means being a supreme ruler. That is, having authority and control over the territories and kingdom over which he rules. A creator is someone who brings someone or something into existence. God is a sovereign creator because it is he who brought the world in which we live into being. The world is his territory or kingdom, therefore, he rules over it and he alone has supreme authority and control over it.

        In Genesis 1 and 2, the Bible tells us that God created all things by the power of the spoken word. This makes him supreme.

2. GOD IS OMNIPOTENT: OMNIPOTENT means " that which is all powerful". Nothing can be compared to that power. God is omnipotent because he is all powerful. He is the greatest of all the powers in this world. In psalm 48:1, the Bible states:

         "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised."

This verse glorifies God for being the most powerful being in heaven and on Earth. By his power, he controls the sea, sun, wind, and takes God care of everything in the world.

3. GOD IS OMNISCIENT: OMNISCIENT means " one who sees everything, knows everything and therefore, understands everything". When one possesses this attribute, he is WISE.

God is omniscient because he sees and knows everything in the world. He is all wise. He alone is the fullness of wisdom and understanding. It so he who gives this wisdom, knowledge and understanding. In ISAIAH 11:2, the Bible states:

" And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding and knowledge"

We use our God given wisdom to invent things, govern ourselves, generate brilliant ideas that make for progress, and to make wise decisions that lead to success and prosperity.

4. GOD IS OMNIPRESENT: OMNIPRESENT means "Being everywhere at the same time". God is everywhere at the same time. He is in heaven and at the same time, he is on Earth. In the book of Jonah, when Jonah intended to run away from God after refusing to preach to the people of Nineveh, God saw him at the place where he went to hide.

5. GOD IS INVISIBLE: INVISIBLE means " someone or something that cannot be seen with our eyes". For example, a spirit is invisible. God is invisible because we cannot see him with our eyes and this is because he is a spirit. In JOHN 4:24, the Bible states:

   " God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth".

6. GOD IS LOVE: TO LOVE means " to care for someone". It is to be concerned about the well being of someone. God is love because he cares for us. He provides, protects and helps us. Above all, God is love because he has given us salvation so that we might not perish but have eternal life after we die. In JOHN 3:16, the Bible states:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son; that whoever belies in him would not perish but have eternal life".

7. GOD IS HOLY: HOLINESS means " to be without sin". God is holy because there is no sin in him. In ISAIAH 6:3, the Bible states:

" Holy, holy, holy, Is the Lord God of hosts; the whole world is full of his glory".