CURIOUS NON-BELIEVERS
A Study Of God, Part 1
Who God Is, What He’s Like, And What He Wants For His People
“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not the one who is wise and skillful boast in his insight; let not the one who is mighty and powerful boast in his strength; let not the one who is rich boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] abundance; but let the one who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me [and acknowledges Me and honors Me as God and recognizes without any doubt], that I am the Lord who practices lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these things I delight,’ says the Lord.”
—Jeremiah 9:23–24
For the curious, the most important relationship they’ll ever begin is the one with God Himself. But exactly, who is God? What is He like? And what does He desire for those who follow Him? This article marks the beginning of a multi-part series entitled “A Study of God.” It is designed to help Curious Non-Believers grow in their understanding of the One who created, and now desires to walks with them.
Let’s begin with the most foundational truths: who God is, what He is like, and what He wants for His people.
Part One: WHO IS GOD?
The Bible never tries to prove the existence of God—rather, it assumes it. The very first verse of the Bible reads:
“In the beginning God created [by forming out of nothing]… the Heavens and the Earth.”
—Genesis 1:1
God is the Creator. Before anything existed, He was. He is eternal (Psalm 90:2), without beginning or end. He is not one of many gods. Rather, He is the one true God:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
—Deuteronomy 6:4
In the New Testament, Jesus affirms His unity and identity with God. In John 14:9, our Lord says:
“Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
The Apostle Paul describes God this way:
“…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…”
—1 Corinthians 8:6
So, who is God? Consider what the Scriptures declare:
“Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all, and, in fact, Christ Himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can’t; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. He was before all else began and it is his power that holds everything together. He is the Head of the body made up of his people—that is, his Church—which he began; and he is the Leader of all those who arise from the dead, so that He is first in everything…”
—Colossians 1:15-18
He is the one true, eternal, and sovereign Creator—worthy of our trust, worship, and obedience!
Part Two: What is God Like?
Many people have incorrect ideas about God. Some think He’s distant and uninterested. Others see Him as angry and impossible to please. But The Scriptures give us a more comprehensive picture of His character.
1. God is Holy.
God is utterly pure, without sin, and morally perfect.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
—Isaiah 6:3
His holiness means He is set apart from all that is evil. He calls His people to reflect that holiness (as is stated in 1 Peter 1:16).
2. God is Love.
Perhaps the most comforting truth for New Believers is this:
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
—1 John 4:16
God’s Love is not like human love. It’s unconditional, sacrificial, and demonstrated most clearly in Jesus’ death on the cross (Romans 5:8).
3. God is Just and Merciful.
He judges sin righteously (Psalm 89:14), but He also delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18). His justice and mercy meet at the cross, where Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of mankind (in other words, all who would seek Him and humbly ask for forgiveness), so we could be forgiven.
4. God is Faithful and True.
God never breaks a promise, and His Word can be trusted.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love…”
—Deuteronomy 7:9
Whatever you (the obedient child who is continually pursuing Him) are facing, you can count on God to be faithful.
The qualities mentioned above are just a handful of the qualities/attributes of God. In subsequent articles, I will write about some of the other 20+ qualities/attributes of God (e.g., God’s Pure Actuality, His Simplicity, His Aseity, His Necessity, His Immutability, His Immensity, His Ineffability, etc)!
Part Three: What does God want for His people?
Some New Believers wonder what God expects from them. They ponder: Is He demanding? Is He distant? Does He just want people to behave? The Scriptures offer a much richer answer. Let’s take a look:
1. God wants a personal, daily relationship with all of us.
From Genesis to Revelation, the story of the Bible is a story of a relational God seeking His people.
“I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
—Jeremiah 31:33
Jesus confirms this when He says in John 17:3:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
God desires not just our obedience but our heart! He wants to walk with us, guide us, and make us more like His Son.
2. God wants to transform us.
He doesn’t JUST forgive sin—He changes oue lives for the better!
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
—Romans 12:2
The Christian life IS NOT about “being a good person” or trying harder. Instead, it’s about letting God reshape your thoughts, actions, and desires through His Spirit.
3. God wants us to love others.
When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus replied:
“And Jesus replied to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].”
—Matthew 22:37–39
God’s desire is that His love would not only flow to us—but through us to others.
4. God wants us to live with hope.
In a broken world, it’s easy to lose heart. But God offers something better: hope rooted in His promises.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
—Jeremiah 29:11
Conclusion: Where Do You Begin?
Studying God is not merely an academic pursuit—it’s the heart of the Christian life. To know God is to love Him. And to love Him is to begin walking in the purpose for which we were created.
So, where does a Curious Non-Believer begin? Let me give you some ideas:
• Open the Bible and read it daily—start with the following books:
One: The Gospel of Mark.
Two: The Gospel of John.
Three: The Book of James.
Four: The Book of Proverbs.
These four books, if read through two to four times and then studied alongside some commentaries (Commentary 1 and Commentary 2), will lay a foundation for you to build off of!
• Talk to God (through prayer) daily, even if your words feel simple (but are heartfelt). Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and invite Him into your life!
• Find a community of Believers with whom you can grow and mature in your faith. In other words, don’t just find a group of “religious” believers. find those who are serious about their journey, who pray and read their Bible DAILY!
• Ask God to show you who He is—and He will.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
—Jeremiah 29:13
In the next article of this series, we will explore how God reveals Himself to us—through Scripture, through His Son, and through His Spirit. For now, rest in this truth: the God who made you wants you to know Him.
If you have questions or comments, email me here.
In His Name,
Roy
P.S. Below is a video to show you the depth of God’s Love for you: