The One Who Was Not Created
This briefing document provides a foundational overview of the identity, nature, and authority of God as presented in the first week of the "Knowing God" series. Designed for those new to faith or returning to scripture, this summary explores the concept of an uncreated, eternal Creator who exists as the supreme authority over all existence.
The Foundation of God’s Identity
The core theme of this study is that God is the "Uncreated One." Unlike everything else in the universe, God has no beginning and no end. He is described as the Eternal God (Genesis 21:33) and the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8), signifying that He is the start and the conclusion of all things.
The source context identifies three primary lenses through which we understand Him:
- God as God — His divine nature and unique characteristics.
- God as Lord — His supreme authority and sovereignty over creation.
- God as Father — His role as the personal Creator and caretaker of humanity.
The Names of God
In scripture, names are more than labels; they reveal God’s character and relationship to the world. Below are key names and titles found in the source material:
The Nature and Characteristics of God
God is a Spirit (John 4:24), yet the Bible uses both divine and human-like descriptions to help us understand who He is and how He acts.
Divine Attributes
These qualities belong to God alone and set Him apart from humanity:
- Eternal and Immortal — He exists outside of time (Psalm 90:2) and cannot die (1 Timothy 1:17).
- All-Knowing (Omniscient) — He understands everything perfectly (Psalm 147:5).
- All-Powerful (Omnipotent) — There is no limit to His strength (Isaiah 40:6–7).
- Everywhere Present (Omnipresent) — No one can hide from His presence (Psalm 139:7–21).
- Unchanging — His character and nature remain the same forever (Malachi 3:6).
Personal and Emotional Qualities
Though He is the "Mighty One," God is not a distant force. He is described as having emotions and a personal interest in His creation:
- Love and Graciousness — He is defined by love and is patient with humanity (Exodus 34:6; 1 John 4:8–10).
- Compassion — He is sensitive to the needs and suffering of His people (Exodus 34:7).
- Justice and Righteousness — He is perfect and always does what is right (Matthew 5:48; Psalm 145:17).
- Capacity for Grief — He feels deeply, even experiencing grief when creation turns toward evil (Genesis 6:6).
The Authority of God as Lord
The title "Lord" signifies God’s position as the ultimate authority. He is the Lord of lords (Deuteronomy 10:17), reigning in majesty and strength. His authority is universal, reaching across history and over every individual. Because of this supreme status, the scripture encourages a response of:
- Trust — Relying on His unfailing love and direction (Proverbs 3:5–6).
- Reverence — Recognizing His power with awe (Psalm 96:4).
- Obedience — Aligning one's life with His revealed will (Romans 12:2).
God as Father
A central entry point for the seeker is understanding God as a Father. This is not merely a biological metaphor but a description of His role as Creator (James 1:17) and Caretaker (Job 29:16).
- Universal Fatherhood — He is the Father of all creation (Malachi 2:10).
- Personal Fatherhood — For those who believe, He becomes a personal Father (John 1:12–13), whom they can address with the intimate term "Abba" (Romans 8:15), signifying a close, familial bond.
Summary of the Human Response
The realization that God is the "One Who Was Not Created" calls for a specific response from the seeker. The documents suggest that we should:
- Believe and Trust — Move from curiosity to active confidence in His word (Genesis 15:6).
- Worship and Praise — Acknowledge His majesty and honor Him (Psalm 96:9).
- Seek and Thirst — Actively pursue a relationship with Him (Psalm 42:2).
- Approach with Confidence — Because of His gracious nature, people are encouraged to come near to Him, with the promise that He will listen and bless those who do (Hebrews 4:16; James 4:8).
| Name/Title | Scripture Reference | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| I AM WHO I AM | Exodus 3:14 | Emphasizes His self-existence and eternal nature. |
| God Almighty | Genesis 17:1 | Highlights His all-encompassing power. |
| The Sovereign Lord | Genesis 15:2 | Points to His absolute rule and ownership. |
| The Most High | Genesis 14:18 | Places Him above all other powers or "gods." |
| God, the Rock | 2 Samuel 22:47 | Represents His stability and reliability. |
| The Holy One | Isaiah 1:4 | Marks His absolute purity and distinctness from creation. |