“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” –Genesis 2:27
The Bible contains the record of the revelation of God’s character to human beings. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” After creating everything “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” —Genesis 1:31
God revealed His character to His people from Genesis to Revelation through His interactions with them. This post is not an exhaustive character sketch of God. That would be impossible to do in respect of an infinite God. But certain aspects of God have profound implications for understanding the character and nature of God.
Let’s begin with the Lord as the Good Creator.
The Lord God is the good creator. The first chapter of Genesis tells us that God created the world, and everything in it, culminating in the creation of human beings.
God made man in His image, Imago Dei, making them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor —Psalm 8:5. “Imago Dei” comes from the Latin version of the Bible, translated to English as “image of God.” Humans are made to reflect God’s character in the earth. To say that humans are made in the image of God is to recognize the special qualities of human nature which allow God to be made manifest in humans. God is a good God, who creates good things and delights in them. Creation was intended to reflect the goodness of the Creator — beauty and form, patterns and artistry. The ugliness we see in the world today is a direct result on the fall.
The Ultimate Truth
God is answerable to no one and to nothing but Himself. He is not bound by anything other than His own nature. He has no rivals. There is no one to compare Him to.
“Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding? —Isaiah 40:13-14
When Moses met the Lord, God at the burning bush, he wanted to know the name, and the character of the god he was dealing with. The Lord answered by saying, “I AM WHO I AM”—Exodus 3:14. The Lord’s answer could be translated “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE”.
The name of “I AM” is how God chose to introduce himself. God’s name is a revelation of what He is in relation to us. A self-declaration of His existence and His immutable changelessness. He is eternal. “For I am the Lord, I change not; ” —Malachi 3:6a KJV
Understanding the weight and power of “I AM WHO I AM” is important for us today to understand the complexity of who God is. He is all-powerful, all-encompassing and self-sufficient. His name is above all names, one that reminds the believer that God is in control, and that He sees His children. In “him we live and move and have our being” —Acts 17:28. We are His offspring. He created us and He sustains us.
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Dr. A
Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 