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Understanding God’s attributes is vital for the Christian life. Knowing who He is shapes our worship, helps us grow closer to Him, and guards us from false ideas. It also gives us joy and helps us trust Him in our suffering instead of questioning His ways.

God’s attributes describe who He is, and none can be separated or treated as less important. In this tract, we will briefly look at twelve key attributes of God.

1. The Holiness of God

God is perfectly pure, completely separate from sin, and set apart from all creation. It is the only attribute repeated three times in Scripture: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3), showing how central it is. His holiness is seen in all He does and in His judgment of sin—especially at the cross, where Jesus took that judgment in our place.

Believers are called to live holy lives: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Unbelievers are called to repent, trusting and following Christ.

2. The Power of God

God can do all He plans. Nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17). The Bible says, “Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17), and “Power belongs to you, God” (Psalm 62:11). We see God’s power in creation, sustaining the world, helping His people, raising Jesus from the dead, changing lives through the gospel, and judging evil and creating a new world.

Because of this, we should fear, praise, and trust Him. Through the Holy Spirit, God helps believers endure suffering, fight sin, and live for Him. His power warns unbelievers to turn to Jesus, the only refuge from judgment.

3. The Presence of God

God is present everywhere with His whole being. David wrote, “Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Answer: Nowhere! Even though God is above all creation, He is also near us—even living in His people by the Holy Spirit.

For believers, His presence brings comfort, joy, strength, and confidence in prayer. We are never alone. For unbelievers, God’s presence means no one can escape His judgment. Yet in mercy, He calls people to repent and trust in Christ.

4. The Knowledge of God

God knows everything perfectly—what has happened, what is happening, what will happen, and even what could have happened. He declares: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come” (Isaiah 46:10a).

This leads believers to praise Him, find comfort in trials and failure, pray with confidence, and live with accountability, since He sees even our motives. It also warns unbelievers: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13). We will all give an account, and only Jesus can save us from the coming judgment.

5. The Fatherhood of God

God is Father to all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:12 says that those who receive Christ become children of God. Through adoption, believers are brought into God’s family—one of the greatest gifts of salvation. Justification declares us right before God as Judge; adoption grants us the privilege of calling Him Father.

Because of this, believers can pray with confidence, trust His care, and receive loving discipline that helps them grow in holiness (Romans 8:15; Hebrews 12:6). God invites unbelievers to trust in Jesus and become His children.

6. The Love of God

God’s love is not only what God shows, but who He is. Scripture says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). He loves because He chooses to, not because we deserve it (1 John 4:10, 19). His love is holy, so He does not ignore sin (Habakkuk 1:13a). It is sacrificial, because He gave His Son for sinners (Romans 5:8). It is everlasting, and nothing can separate believers from it (Romans 8:38–39).

This truth should deepen our love for God and others. For unbelievers, it is an urgent call to come to Christ and receive His saving love (John 3:16).

7. The Wisdom of God

God always chooses the best goals and the best ways to accomplish them for His glory. “His wisdom is profound” (Job 9:4), and God alone is perfectly wise (Romans 16:27). We see His wisdom in creation, the cross, the church, and in shaping believers into Christ’s likeness. He gives wisdom to those who ask in faith.

For believers, this calls for trust and submission. For unbelievers, it is an urgent call to come to Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom” (Colossians 2:3).

8. The Wrath of God

God’s wrath is His holy hatred of sin and His just judgment of evil. “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven” (Romans 1:18). Unlike human anger, His wrath is perfect, righteous, and holy. Because God is holy, He must judge sin.

For believers, Christ “rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). This leads us to thank God, fear sin, and warn others. For unbelievers, the truth of God’s judgment is a serious warning. Yet mercy is found in Jesus, who bore God’s wrath for sinners. Turn to Him and be saved.

9. The Faithfulness of God

God always keeps His promises. He never lies or changes. His faithfulness is seen in the way He cares for His people, corrects them, strengthens them, and one day will bring them into His perfect presence. The Bible says, “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Because God is faithful, believers can trust Him in suffering and temptation. He is also faithful to judge those who reject Him. He calls sinners to repent and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. Whoever comes to Him will never be turned away.

10. The Sovereignty of God

God rules over all things and works everything according to His will (Ephesians 1:11). Nothing is outside His control. No one can stop His plans (Job 42:2). God even uses evil to ultimately accomplish His sovereign and good purposes, for “in all things God works for the good of those who love him”
(Romans 8:28; see also Genesis 50:20).

For believers, this brings humility, confidence, and comfort in trials. For unbelievers, it is a warning to turn to Jesus Christ, who alone saves.

11. The Patience of God

God is “slow to anger and rich in love” (Psalm 145:8). He delays judgment, giving sinners time to repent.

For believers, this teaches us to be patient, gentle, forgiving, and slow to anger. For unbelievers, His patience is both a warning and an opportunity. Do not mistake His patience for approval. Turn to Jesus Christ today while there is still time.

12. The Unchanging Nature of God

God never changes in His being, character, or purposes. “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6). God does not grow, weaken, or diminish—He is always the same (Hebrews 13:8). And because He never changes, His promises never fail. Though He may deal differently with people who repent or reject Him, His character and purposes remain constant.

For believers, this brings comfort because His love and promises will never fail. He is our steady Rock in every trial. For unbelievers, His unchanging holiness is a warning to turn to Jesus Christ for salvation.

Conclusion

A helpful way to remember God’s attributes is to begin each day in prayer by focusing on one of them. Work through each one, asking God to shape your life through it. This helps you keep your focus on God, grow in knowing Him, trust Him more deeply, and live for His glory.

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