Have you ever heard the phrase “the attributes of God”? What do we mean by “attributes of God”? Simply put, a divine attribute describes a perfection of God’s essence. And there are many such perfections found in God. They are divine qualities that are revealed in the unchanging reality of God’s being.
For instance, consider the phrase “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Bible shows us that love is a divine attribute, meaning it is an essential and undeniable aspect of God’s nature. If God were to lack love, He would deny a fundamental aspect of His nature. Love is best understood when we reflect on how God loves.
Theologians categorize God’s attributes into two groups. The first includes attributes unique to God, known as incommunicable attributes. These include qualities like being eternal, which means God has no beginning or end; aseity, which indicates God is self-sufficient and independent of any other being or resource; and infinity, which signifies that God’s being is immeasurable. These attributes highlight God’s incomparability in relation to creation.
The second category of attributes is referred to as “communicable” attributes. These are qualities that God shares with His creation, such as love, goodness, wisdom, and mercy, to name a few. Although God imparts these attributes to us, they always operate simultaneously and harmoniously with all His other perfections. In other words, God’s perfect goodness and love are never separated from His perfect justice and wrath.
Are you feeling more informed about God’s attributes? Don’t worry if you still have questions! At Sower Church, we will spend seven weeks exploring different attributes of God. We invite you to join us in this journey, and may the Lord bless and guide you in your pursuit of Him. Amen.
