“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
The Nature of God
When we explore what God looks like, it’s essential for us to understand His nature. The Bible teaches us that God is spirit, which means He transcends the physical form. This spiritual nature invites us to worship Him in a way that goes beyond our physical senses. God is not limited to any form we might imagine, yet He is present everywhere. As we gather in worship, we recognize that our faith connects us to this divine spirit. It’s humbling to remember that even though we cannot see Him with our eyes, His presence is felt deeply in our hearts.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Exodus 34:6
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'” – Exodus 34:6
Psalms 46:10
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'” – Psalms 46:10
1 Timothy 1:17
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17
Psalms 90:2
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” – Psalms 90:2
The Glory of God
The Bible often speaks of the glory of God, which is a manifestation of His greatness and majesty. While we may not see God physically, His glory is revealed in the beauty of creation, in the harmony of nature, and in moments of divine presence that we experience. When we observe the magnificent world around us, we catch glimpses of what God looks like in His radiant beauty. We can connect with this glory through our worship, prayers, and everyday experiences, allowing us to appreciate His greatness and majesty reflected in our lives.
Isaiah 6:3
“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'” – Isaiah 6:3
Psalms 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalms 19:1
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Revelation 4:11
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
The Love of God
Understanding the love of God is crucial when we think about what God looks like. His love is patient, kind, and unconditional, reflecting His true character. The Bible tells us that God is love, and His love is evident in every part of our lives. When we experience love from those around us or offer love ourselves, we are reflecting the very essence of God. As we interact with others, we are called to embody this love and kindness, showing the world what God looks like through our actions.
1 John 4:8
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Psalms 136:26
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” – Psalms 136:26
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 John 4:12
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” – 1 John 4:12
The Justice of God
The justice of God is another aspect that helps us define what God looks like. God cares deeply about fairness, righteousness, and justice. His nature means that He cannot ignore sin and injustice, but instead, He seeks to bring about correction and restoration. By standing for justice and reaffirming that truth should prevail, we reflect God’s values in our lives. In our pursuit of justice and equality, we can become mirrors of God’s own righteous character.
Psalm 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” – Psalm 89:14
Amos 5:24
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” – Amos 5:24
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18
Proverbs 21:15
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” – Proverbs 21:15
The Holiness of God
The holiness of God reveals a fundamental quality that often leaves us in awe. God’s holiness signifies His absolute purity, perfection, and separation from any form of sin. When we grasp the power of holiness, we understand that it shapes how we approach God in worship and in our lives. Through His holiness, He calls us to strive for growth and transformation, inspiring us to live differently, revealing God’s character to those around us.
Isaiah 57:15
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'” – Isaiah 57:15
Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'” – Leviticus 19:2
Revelation 15:4
“Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” – Revelation 15:4
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:15-16
Psalms 30:4
“Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.” – Psalms 30:4
The Faithfulness of God
Understanding what God looks like also involves recognizing His faithfulness. God is true to His word and never lets us down. His promises are sure, and He is always with us in both good and challenging times. When we encounter life’s trials, we can stand firm knowing that God is unchanging, even when everything else around us shifts. His faithfulness invites us to trust fully, knowing He is always by our side.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
2 Timothy 2:13
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:13
Psalms 89:8
“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” – Psalms 89:8
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9
Final Thoughts
As we have examined what God looks like, we can see that He is a multifaceted being revealing Himself through His nature, glory, love, justice, holiness, and faithfulness. Each characteristic allows us to understand our relationship with Him deeper. God is not confined to any physical appearance, but rather, He reflects His attributes through creation, guidance, and acts of love in our lives. We are challenged to incorporate these qualities as we relate to one another and live out our faith every day.
We can find comfort and strength in knowing that we are created in His image and that His spirit dwells within us, guiding us to reflect His love and characteristics to the world around us. Let us continue exploring more about God’s nature and teachings, such as God’s love and how we can see Him in each other. Each discovery leads us closer to the heart of God and reveals how we can live out our faith more fully.
Through our understanding of God’s likeness, we find motivation to shine His light brightly, remembering we are all part of His beautiful creation.