The Psalmist affirmed in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” This truth is evident to the unprejudiced mind. While some seek to convince man that design in the universe is illusory, nature offers a compelling and convincing argument for a Maker. “There is no speech nor language Where their [the heavens and firmament] voice is not heard” (vs. 3).
While the physical universe testifies to a creator (or creators), it is incapable of revealing who is responsible for its existence. As Judaism, Islam and Christianity all make an appeal for a single God as Creator, other cultures attribute the existence of all things to multiple divinities. It has been estimated that the Greeks worshipped up to 30,000 deities, and the number 333,000,000 has been supplied as the number of gods worshipped by those in the Hindu religion.
While the human mind tends toward polytheism (as seen in the pagan examples above), the Bible reveals Jehovah God as the Creator of all things. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). We can not look to the imagination of man to reveal the character and attributes of the Creator. Instead, we look to the sacred writings, knowing that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
When we look to scripture, we find that the Creator is One God. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4). However, what is equally is clear is that this One God consists of three persons. While some deny this truth, and many struggle to comprehend how it could be so, it is a fact established time and again in scripture. One example of this is found in Jesus’ command to his disciples, to baptize believers, “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
God is revealed in scripture to be Spirit (cf. John 4:24), and to have attributes that separate Him from man. He is self-existent (Revelation 1:8); omniscient (Acts 15:18); omnipotent (Revelation 4:8); omnipresent (Acts 17:26-28). God is wholly just (Psalm 89:14), and infinitely holy (Isaiah 6:3). He contrasts sharply with our own finite nature, as well as our failings before Him, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The most significant characteristic of God as it impacts our own welfare is His mercy. Motivated by love, God has determined to satisfy His justice by sending His only begotten Son to die as a vicarious sacrifice for our sins. As Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Paul put it beautifully a chapter earlier, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).
There are many false views of God that exist today— Polytheism, Deism, and even secular Atheism. However, the Bible reveals a unique Creator that made man in His image (cf. Genesis 1:27), and loved man enough to redeem him from the guilt of his own sins (John 3:16). God is intensely concerned with your salvation. In response, you must “believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
