Who is God?

     Take a moment to picture the kindest person that you know. Now think of the worst thing you’ve ever seen them do. It might not be terrible depending on what you compare it to, but I’m sure it isn’t good. That’s because they’re human. Only God can be perfect all of the time. What does that look like?

     Two of God’s attributes are His mercy and His patience. Here’s the thing: the human race should’ve been wiped out a long time ago. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us,” (1 John 1:8). Furthermore, every sin deserves death (Romans 6:23). God wants more for us, though, so He gave us a way to be saved by sending His Son to die in our place (mercy). He gives us way more time than we deserve to repent, too (patience). 

     Another attribute of God that might sound contrary to those two is His justice. God isn’t a willy-nilly ruler, letting us do whatever we want whenever we want. “For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish,” (Psalm 37:28). He is firm and powerful. He extends His offer of mercy to the evil to take or leave. If they take it, they will naturally change for the better (1 Corinthians 5:17). Leave it, and they will be firmly punished. They had their chance.

     God does everything that He does out of love. He loves His creation, despite everything, so He shows us mercy. He loves His children who accept mercy, so He punishes those who are still guilty. His love is resilient, like a bulletproof wall shielding us. God loves us with a passion, though we don’t deserve it. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

     Think of your person again. Now imagine all of their faults taken away. Imagine them with all of the power and authority in the world. They still don’t look at all like God. One essay hardly comes close to describing His majesty. He is the definition and source of every good thing. He is great and wonderful. He is like the sky above our heads; magnificent and always there, yet impossible to physically touch, feel, or comprehend.

Sections: Christianity, Educational Essays, For School, Hope, Nonfiction, Peace, Wonder