Deity is not a term used explicitly throughout the Bible. Instead, focus turns to God as a being and his various titles, such as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, to define what deity means in the Bible, first we must clarify who God is in the Bible. Exodus 3:14 gives us God’s revealed name: “I AM WHO I AM”. These four words simply but profoundly tell us who God is and embrace the breadth of his identity. God is not defined by any other name or title, he simply is, and through understanding his infinite nature, we can affirm his potential. As God is not confined by any other entity, his power can never be contained. He is in control of our world and everything within.
The Bible acknowledges God as the primary source of all that exists, both seen and unseen, from the farthest reaches of the physical world to heavenly realms that are yet to be explored by scientific study. This highlights the powerful and varied existence of God, ultimately according to the Bible, we can only comprehend the breadth and depth of God’s infinite nature through the eyes of faith, allowing us to access a great deal of revealed knowledge through scripture.
Although God is unreachable and incomprehensible to us, he still seeks out and overcomes the great divide by revealing himself through personal experiences and through his relationship with his children. He has revealed himself and has chosen to enter into a committed relationship with us, and we are able to enter a covenant relationship with him. As a result, God gives us the opportunity to grow and develop in our understanding of Him and of His kingdom. Through faith, we have access to the realm of God, and it is this access that enables us to accept and believe in His sovereign plan for us, and for the world!
Another way we can explore the concept of deity in the Bible, is through the notion of manifestation. Scriptures like John 14:9 tell us that Jesus is the physical form and embodiment of God, providing a visual revelation of who He is and of His holiness. Jesus is described as a representation of light and truth; a being who can bridge the gap between humanity and divinity and between our everyday need and spiritual desires. Essentially, Jesus became a bridge or a doorway for divine revelation, firmly establishing Deity in the Bible.
The Bible is full of examples of how we should strive to live in a manner that honours God and be obedient to His will. Ultimately, honouring God means that we should live our lives for His greater glory and purpose, and willingly surrender our lives over to the guidance of His Holy Spirit. It is through our faith and obedience that we can gain access to the exclusive privileges of being in a covenant relationship with God, and his living out his plan of redemption through our individual stories.
When thinking of how we can manifest deity in our own lives, Hebrews 4:16 provides us with guidance. In this passage, it is suggested that we come to God not only with a sense of obligation, but also with reverent awe, recognising the power of his sovereignty and the greatness of his might. Through this understanding, we come to recognise his great power and authority and acknowledge it within ourselves, humbly submitting to his will and to His redeeming grace.
God’s Ability To Create
One of the most powerful facets of deity referenced in the Bible is God’s ability to create. Throughout scriptures, we find a strong emphasis placed on the unfathomable power of God to create all living things, from the vast universe with its infinite galaxies and unimaginable creatures, to the human soul. He is the source of life, from the highest star in space to the smallest one-celled organisms on earth.
By looking at the incredible complexity of the ever-changing universe and the beauty of the smallest of creatures that inhabit our world, we can begin to understand the immense power and beauty of God’s creative force. Although we may never know all the mysteries of creation, we can be confident that whatever He creates is done so with perfect order and purpose in mind.
The Bible states that all living things were created in the image of God; this refers to the fact that mankind’s capacity to create is a reflection of God’s own creative nature. This capacity to create is a unique quality of humanity that connects us to our Creator and allows us to understand and appreciate His divine nature in a personal way. To embrace this capacity is to open our hearts and minds to the limitless possibilities of a relationship with Him.
God’s Love and Mercy
The most important identifying factor of God’s character is his love. The Bible speaks of a deep and abiding love that God has for his people; this love is infinite and unconditional, even when we betray or reject Him. He extends to us the same love that he has for his Son, Jesus; this love is so powerful and so enduring, it gives us hope and strength to face life’s struggles and to become more like him each day.
God’s mercy is another key trait of deity in the Bible; through his mercy, we are able to receive forgiveness and grace. This mercy is not a feeble thing carried out by a mere man, instead it is a divine work of mercy, done by a perfect, holy, and just God. God’s mercy is an expression of his love and a demonstration of his faithfulness to us; it is a source of hope and a reminder of his forgiveness and grace.
God’s mercy is so expansive, it extends to all of creation, from the small and forgotten to the large and powerful. Furthermore, it extends beyond the boundaries of time, from one generation to the next, and does not discriminate against any race, gender or religion. God’s loving mercy is also a source of healing for us; it is in his mercy that we find peace and restoration, discovering assurance of our sins being washed away.
God’s Sovereignty
When considering the concept of deity in the Bible, it is important to remember the notion of God’s sovereignty. His sovereignty establishes his divine rule over all of Creation and stipulates that he alone is the source and rightful judge of all that happens. As the supreme ruler of all, God’s sovereignty confirms that every action both on earth and in heaven, is done in response to his ordained command. This is why we must be humble, seek God’s divine guidance, and recognise his sovereignty in all that we do.
In addition to his sovereignty, God’s omniscience and omnipresence must be taken into account. God is limitless and all-knowing, meaning he is aware of all that exists, ever has existed and that will exist in the future. This all-encompassing knowledge of God provides us with a deeper understanding of how significant He is to our lives and how his presence and power is seen throughout all of Creation.
These aspects of deity emphasise that God is unchanging and utterly trustworthy. This understanding of his being enables us to approach God with confidence, knowing that his nature is fixed and that he will never waiver in his commitment to seek our ultimate good and to love us as his people.
Access To Eternal Life
In the ultimate expression of his love and mercy, God grants us access to eternal life. Through faith in Jesus, we have access to a life beyond our physical existence and can enter into eternity with hope, knowing that God will protect us and take care of us for eternity. As the Bible states, no one can outrun the grace of God; His mercy is greater than any other force.
The Bible also speaks of resurrection and the promise that after physical death, we will be granted a new life in Christ. This promise endures for eternity and is made available to us through faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, the concept of deity in the Bible might provide us with the assurance that we too can partake in life everlasting, no matter our struggles or hardships.
The Bible is full of examples of how to live in a manner that honours God and how faith in him allows us to access his divine grace. Through contemplation of God’s sovereignty, creative force, love, mercy and ability to provide access to eternal life, a greater understanding of what deity means in the Bible can be attained. Through this understanding, we can become more aware of his great power and learn to live our lives in better reflections of his majesty.
