1. God is One: Monotheism

Monotheism, the belief in one God, is the bedrock of Christian theology. Unlike the polytheistic beliefs of many ancient cultures, which viewed the divine as fragmented into multiple gods representing various aspects of life and creation, monotheism asserts the existence of a single, sovereign, and supreme God who encompasses all aspects of divinity and reality.

Imagine the universe as a grand symphony. In polytheism, each instrument—be it strings, brass, woodwind, or percussion—would represent a different god, each playing independently. Monotheism, however, posits that there is only one conductor, one supreme maestro orchestrating the entire symphony, creating harmony and unity from the diversity of sounds. This conductor is God, the singular, all-encompassing force behind the complexity and beauty of existence.

Scriptural Overview:

• Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV): "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."  

This passage, known as the "Shema", is central to Jewish and Christian monotheistic belief, emphasizes the uniqueness and singularity of God. It's a call to focus on the one true God, setting aside any inclination towards polytheism.

• Isaiah 44:6 (NIV): "This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." 

Here, God declares His eternity and exclusivity, reinforcing the concept of monotheism by asserting His omnipresence and omniscience.

• 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV): "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." 

This New Testament verse links the monotheistic belief with the Christian doctrine of mediation through Jesus, highlighting the continuity and fulfillment of Old Testament monotheism in Christian theology.

• James 2:19 (NIV): "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." 

James underscores the power and recognition of the one true God, acknowledged even by demonic forces, stressing the foundational nature of monotheistic belief.

• 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NIV): "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." 

This verse elegantly ties the monotheistic belief with the Christian understanding of God's relationship to Jesus, emphasizing unity and source of all creation in God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

We affirm that the belief in one God is not just a theological concept but a declaration of the inherent unity and order in the universe. God, as the singular sovereign entity, underpins all of existence, providing a consistent foundation for understanding the world and our place in it. This monotheistic belief shapes our worldview, our worship, and our relationship with the divine, guiding us toward a cohesive understanding of reality anchored in the existence of one, true, all-encompassing God.

2. God is Triune: The Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most distinctive and intricate aspects of Christian theology, describing how one God exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each Person of the Trinity is fully and equally God, sharing the same divine essence, yet they are distinct in their personhood and roles.

To comprehend the Trinity, consider the analogy of water in its three states: liquid, ice, and vapor. While water exists in these three forms, its essence remains H₂O. Similarly, God is one in essence but distinct in personhood as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This analogy, while not perfect, helps to illustrate the mysterious and multi-faceted nature of the Triune God.

The concept of the Trinity is foundational to understanding the nature of God’s interactions with the world and with humanity. It speaks of a God who is relational, able to engage with us in multiple ways while remaining one in essence and purpose.

Scriptural Overview:

• Matthew 28:19 (NIV): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." 

This commission by Jesus illustrates the Trinity’s cooperative work in the discipleship process, emphasizing unity in diversity within the Godhead.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV): "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Paul’s blessing reflects the distinct roles and unity of the Trinity, showing how each Person contributes to the believer's life in a unique yet harmonious way.

• John 1:1-2 (NIV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." 

John establishes the eternal existence and divine nature of the Word (Jesus), affirming His deity and distinct personhood within the Godhead.

• John 10:30 (NIV): "I and the Father are one." 

Jesus’ declaration of unity with the Father speaks of an essential oneness, reflecting the deep relational and ontological unity within the Trinity.

• Acts 5:3-4 (NIV): "Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have not lied to just human beings but to God?’" 

This passage equates the Holy Spirit with God, illustrating the Spirit's personal and divine nature, integral to the triune relationship.

Conclusion:

The Trinity is a central doctrine that enriches our understanding of God’s complexity and unity. It reveals a God who is community within Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each person distinct yet harmoniously one. This triune relationship is not just a theological abstract but a dynamic, living reality that affects how we relate to God, understand His actions in the world, and engage with Him in prayer and worship. In the Trinity, we see a model of perfect unity and diversity, offering a profound insight into the relational and loving nature of God.

3. God is Relational: Love and Communication

At the heart of God's nature is His intrinsic relational quality, characterized by love, communication, and personal engagement with His creation. Unlike the distant deity concepts in some philosophies or religions, the Christian God is deeply involved in the lives of His creatures, desiring a personal relationship with them.

Consider the analogy of a parent and child. A loving parent communicates, nurtures, guides, challenges, disciplines, and responds to their child, not out of obligation but driven by love and relationship. Similarly, God's interaction with humanity is driven by His love and desire for relationship, not merely as a sovereign ruler but as a loving Father.

Scriptural Overview:

• 1 John 4:8 (NIV): "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 

This verse encapsulates God's essence as love. It implies that knowing God is synonymous with experiencing and understanding love, as He is the source and epitome of love.

• John 3:16 (NIV): "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible, it illustrates God’s love in action. His willingness to sacrifice His Son (Himself in human form) for humanity's salvation is the ultimate expression of His relational nature and love.

• Genesis 1:26 (NIV): "Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...’" 

The plural pronouns here suggest a conversation within the Godhead and indicate humanity's creation as a relational act, designed for communion with God and reflecting His image.

• Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV): "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...’" 

In revealing His nature to Moses, God describes Himself in relational terms, highlighting attributes like compassion, grace, and faithfulness that define His interactions with humanity.

• Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV): "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’" 

This declaration emphasizes the enduring and initiating nature of God’s love, portraying Him as actively seeking and maintaining a loving relationship with His people.

Conclusion:

God’s relational nature is a testament to His desire for intimate engagement with His creation. He is not a remote or indifferent deity but a loving Father who communicates, cares, and commits Himself to the welfare of His children. This relationship is not based on human merit but on God’s gracious character, inviting us into a lifelong journey of love, discovery, and communion with Him.

4. God is Just and Righteous

While God's love is central to His character, it is equally important to recognize that He is also just and righteous. God's justice means that He is fair and impartial, upholding moral law and order. His righteousness involves His ethical nature and commitment to doing what is right. Unlike human justice, which can be flawed or biased, God's justice is perfect and absolute.

Consider the balance scale, an often-used symbol of justice, where both sides are weighed equally to determine fairness. In a similar way, God’s justice weighs human actions and responds appropriately, balancing mercy and judgment, ensuring that righteousness prevails.

Scriptural Overview:

• Romans 2:6-8 (NIV): "God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." 

This passage illustrates God's impartiality in judgment, rewarding righteousness and punishing wrongdoing, reflecting His just nature.

• Psalm 89:14 (NIV): "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." 

Here, justice and righteousness are depicted as the foundation of God's rule, indicating that His governance is rooted in these principles, balanced with love and faithfulness.

• Revelation 20:12 (NIV): "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." 

This verse points to the final judgment, where God’s justice is fully realized, assessing each individual's actions and deciding their eternal destiny based on His righteous standards.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 (NIV): "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." 

This passage underscores God’s justice in avenging wrongdoing and providing relief to the oppressed, highlighting His commitment to righteous judgment.

• Exodus 34:7 (NIV): "Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." 

This aspect of God's character shows that He is serious about justice, holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that moral order is maintained.

Conclusion:

In contemplating God’s justice and righteousness, we grasp the profound balance within His nature. He is not merely a God of love who overlooks sin but a just judge who rightly assesses and addresses wrongdoing. His justice is not an abstract principle; it is deeply rooted in His character, ensuring fairness and moral order in the universe. God’s justice, paired with His love, provides a complete picture of His dealings with humanity. It reassures us that evil and injustice will not prevail in the end and that God’s goodness and fairness are the ultimate standards by which all actions are judged.

This aspect of God's nature challenges us to live with integrity, encourages us to seek justice in our own lives, and offers comfort in knowing that God will ultimately right all wrongs. Thus, God’s justice and righteousness are not to be feared by the righteous but embraced as evidence of His divine perfection and the assurance of His unfailing commitment to truth and equity.

Concluding "The Nature of God"

In exploring the nature of God, we've traversed the landscape of His oneness, delved into the mystery of the Trinity, felt the warmth of His relational nature, and stood in awe of His justice and righteousness. These attributes are not isolated traits but are interconnected, painting a holistic picture of who God is. God’s love and justice, His mercy and righteousness, His transcendence and immanence, all coexist without contradiction, reflecting the complexity and consistency of His divine nature.

Understanding God’s nature is foundational for believers, as it shapes our view of the world, informs our values, and guides our actions. As we reflect on God's multifaceted nature, we are drawn into a deeper reverence for Him, encouraged to live in a way that honors His character, and inspired to pursue a closer relationship with our Creator. This journey into the nature of God is not merely academic but transformative, inviting us to engage with God on a personal level, embracing His love, seeking His justice, and living in light of His truth. In a final word, please understand that this is not an exhaustive study of God's nature, but rather a brief overview. It would take volumes of books to attempt to uncover God's full nature, and even then we would likely fall short. Thus, I would encourage each of you to continue to read God's word that he has graciously provided us so you can continue to grow in your knowledge and understanding of who He is! There is no better way to build a relationship with our Father in heaven.