Ways No One Can Be Like God

The Bible describes God with a variety of pictures, symbols and words. Taken together, a consistent and full-character picture emerges. Theologians refer to the term attributes when enumerating the characteristics of God. Below is one list which explains in simple terms those attributes and their meaning. 

• Omnipresent: He is always near, no place is farther from Him than any other place; He is not limited to any spatial dimensions. 

• Omnipotent: He can do anything that does not violate His nature; He is all powerful; nothing is impossible for Him; His power is unlimited and unrestricted except by His own choice. 

• Omniscient: He knows everything; nothing is hidden; nothing goes unnoticed; no situation is beyond His ability to grasp; all mysteries are clear to Him; no one can tell Him something He does not already know. 

• Sovereign: He is the ultimate ruler of the universe; no one is greater in authority or power than He; no sin or disobedience can thwart the purposes He desires to bring to pass. 

• Eternal: He always has been; He always will be; He had no beginning; He will have no end; He is the creator of time; He is not subject to time but rules over it. 

• Immutable: He does not change; He is not getting better; His attributes can’t be diminished; He does not grow or increase; He is perfect the way He is and we can rest assured that He will continue that way. 

• Infinite: He is unlimited; whatever He is, He is that to an infinite degree; you can not measure any part of Him or His attributes; He is inexhaustible in every aspect of His being. 

Ways We Should Imitate God

• Holy: He is pure; He is without fault; He can not be compared to anyone or anything because He is so different from all we’ve ever known or experi- enced. 

• Wise: He uses His knowledge skillfully; He makes sense; He is no fool; His counsel can be trusted. 

• Good: He has no evil, can do no evil; He works for the benefit of His creatures; He can be trusted with our well-being. 

• Just: He is fair; He does not tolerate unrighteousness; He will make sure every wrong will be made right; He is impartial. 

• Love: Sacrifice is in His very nature; He cares; He gives; He serves; He works to bring about what we need; He is compassionate, He is sensitive; He chooses to let us matter to Him. 

Resource: How Does Anyone Know God Exists? By Gerry Poole and Judson Poling, Zondervan, 1998

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