Some describe God as a force of the universe. Others picture him as a white-bearded judge, ready to punish us when we do something wrong.

But who is God, really? Is He loving? Forgiving? Kind?

To begin to know God, we turn to the source He gave us to know Him: the Bible. But this large story comprised of 66 smaller books can seem overwhelming to understand. When walking through this collection to see the larger story of who God is, you might discover something about God you never knew. 

God: Our Creator

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1,  NIV). To finish His creation, God formed the first man and woman and placed them in a garden. They were made to be like God in ways unlike all other creatures — they were to live as God’s rulers on earth, protecting and caring for creation and multiplying humans throughout the world (Genesis 1:27-28). Everything was perfect (Genesis 1-2). 

God: Our Choice-Giver

God gave the first humans a choice.

They were given all plant life to eat from — every kind of natural deliciousness you can imagine. Except one. They could not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they rebelled against God, death would come (Genesis 2:17). 

You see, love is a choice. And loving our Creator looks like following what He says is good and not good. What would the first humans choose? 

God: Just, Merciful, and Gracious

The first man and woman were tempted by Satan, a spiritual force opposing God, and chose to eat the fruit God said not to eat (Genesis 3). This act of rebellion is called sin (1 John 3:4). Sin is not doing the right thing (James 4:17).

The first sin corrupted God’s perfect creation and welcomed evil’s power. Now all living things die (Genesis 5, Romans 6:23). 

Despite this, God came close to the first humans because He loved them. God explained how their actions brought suffering to the earth and humanity. But God also offered hope.

This hope came in the prophecy that one day, someone from the woman’s line would defeat Satan and eliminate his evil power (Genesis 3:15). God also provided them with clothes made from animal skin, symbolizing the covering, or payment, of sin by the death of another life. 

You see, God is just. Sin requires a life-payment for deliverance. But God is also merciful and did not give the first humans the penalty of immediate death. Instead, He gave them the gift of life, illustrating God’s grace.

The story of who God is continues to unfold.

God: A Holy and a Loving Father

Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden. Later, there was a worldwide flood because of human wickedness (Genesis 6:5-8). Then, God, like a loving father, graciously blessed humanity like He blessed the first man and woman (Genesis 9:1), and the population grew and scattered into nations (Genesis 11). 

God then chose Abram to become the nation of Israel, God’s people. Other people groups could witness God’s relationship with Israel, see His holiness, and turn to worship Him (Genesis). 

When Israel became enslaved in Egypt, God showed Himself as a loving father and delivered them through many miracles. He also provided the Law to teach them who He is, how to live, and how to worship Him. The Law included animal sacrifices to pay the penalty due for human sin, offered daily on behalf of the people so Israel could have a right relationship with God (Exodus, Deuteronomy). 

The rest of the Old Testament tells the story of the Israelites and God’s provision of judges, prophets, and kings when they entered the promise land. 

However, the Israelites rebelled. A lot.

God, their holy and loving Father, sent certain prophets to warn them to return to only worshipping God or they would be sent out of the land. But they wouldn’t listen. And just like Adam and Eve, the Israelites were sent out of the land God gave them.

After 70 years in captivity, some of the Israelites returned and rebuilt the temple, but God speaking through prophets turned silent. And Israel wondered: When would God speak again? When would their promised Savior come (2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:34)?

God: Our Savior

The Israelites waited for 400 years without a prophet. Then, as if suddenly, God sent John the Baptist to prepare people for Jesus’ arrival (Luke 1, John 1). And He chose Mary as the virgin mother of the Son of God (Luke 1-2). Jesus (fully God and fully man) never sinned and performed many miracles, proving himself as the Savior that fulfilled Old Testament promises (see For Further Study). 

The greatest miracle of all was Jesus offering himself as our sacrifice for our sin (Hebrews 10:10-18). Only a perfect human could pay the death penalty of sin for all of humanity. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and then rose again three days later to conquer sin and death for us. He now sits at the right hand of the Father, awaiting His return (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Now, those of us who believe in Jesus receive eternal life, are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us to follow Him, and are saved from the judgment to come (Acts 2:38, John 3:18, Revelation 20:11-15).

God: Our Future Hope

One day, Jesus is coming back to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-8). Those of us who live to follow Him in faith will not be cast away in the final judgment, but we will reign with Him in a new earth (Ephesians 2:8-10, James 2:26, 2 Timothy 2:11-12).  

And there will be no more suffering for those who believe (Revelation 21:4).

The question we all must ask: Do we believe?