Who is God?
This is a question that many struggle with. In school, on many science programs and in many books, some say there is no God. It is amazing that this teaching comes to our children before they even enter school, by way of children’s books and television shows. When a person begins to look logically at that idea, an honest person would have to say there is a God. Some of those who do not believe in God believe in ideas called theories (which do not meet the criteria to be called a theory) that say the world started from a great explosion.
That explanation is a bit simplistic, but evolution is not the topic of this article. So back to the question, “who is God?”
In the Bible, God does not start out trying to prove who he is. He just says, “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1). Genesis 1 tells how God created all that is in the world. The order of creation is seen plainly, as God formed the world so that when man was created, the world was just right for him. Man had air to breathe, land to stand on, water to drink, plants for food and work to do (Genesis 1:29, 2:15). When God saw his creation man was alone, God made a helpmeet, someone suitable for man (Genesis 2:20-25). The first family was formed — Adam and Eve, living in the garden prepared for them by God. Even when the first humans rebelled against God, God still cared about them. The great love God had and has for man is seen in that: Though man disobeyed God, he gave man a way to come back to him.  
Too many times, man makes the mistake of trying to bring God down to man’s level. It cannot be done. It must be understood that God is not man. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Man’s ways and God’s ways are not the same. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Down through the ages, men have tried to help God based on their thoughts and ways, and it has never worked out to benefit anyone. Abraham and Sarah tried to help God. When Sarah could not bear children, she gave Hagar, her handmaiden, to Abraham to have his child. From this relationship, Ishmael was born. Later, after Sarah had the promised child, Isaac, the Bible states she dealt harshly with Hagar and Ishmael so that they fled from her. The descendants of the two boys have been fighting ever since.
God created man with the ability to choose whether or not to believe in and follow him. God has supplied all man needs to make this choice. God gave the only sacrifice that could be given for man, Christ. He has given his word, the Bible, so that everyone can know what is expected of them.
The reason behind all this is love for man. Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God wants all men to be saved, but it is up to the individual to make the decision to obey God or not.
God’s word teaches the necessity of faith, but not faith alone (James 2:17-19). Man must be willing to change his life or repent, confess that Jesus is the son of God and be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sins.
God is the creator, sustainer and supplier of salvation. All men need to turn to God and follow his word.