In this session, we will examine three attributes of God. He is all-knowing (omniscient), all-present (omnipresent), and all-powerful (omnipotent). God’s omniscience exposes our sins to Him and shows us our need of a Savior. It also means that He knows what lies ahead; nothing surprises Him. God’s omnipresence may seem oppressive (there’s no getting away from Him!) until we are in Christ and sense the comfort of His presence with us as we engage in His mission. His omnipotence means that He can judge and condemn; it also means that He is mighty to save. His power enables us to do His work, which will be fulfilled.
Omniscience
“God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.”
- Wayne Grudem
Omnipresence
“God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.”
- Wayne Grudem
Omnipotence
“God is able to do all His holy will.”
- Wayne Grudem
This study focused on God’s omni attributes. It is certainly an incomplete presentation of His character. Later sessions will round out the picture so that we also understand God’s goodness and love as well as His holiness and righteousness. This study alone may not have dispelled the idea of God as a menacing “Big Brother,” always knowing, always present. But let’s think about the wonderful aspects of these attributes as we relate to God personally.
In this session, we will see what it means to affirm that God is good. In particular, we will see how His goodness is displayed in His acts of mercy (goodness to those in distress) and in His acts of love (goodness in giving Himself to others). We will see that God is always good in His character, purposes, and actions. He expresses mercy toward humans by providing relief for both physical and spiritual suffering. His self-giving love is the basis for our salvation and the motivation for our loving God and others as we show the world God’s love through our actions and words.
Next Week