EXPEDITION GUIDE

In military operations, understanding the nature and characteristics of both allies and adversaries is crucial. Similarly, understanding God’s nature as both person and spirit is fundamental to our relationship with Him. Let’s explore these two essential aspects of God’s being.

First, let’s examine what it means for God to be a person. The American Psychological Association defines personality as “individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.” Unlike an impersonal force or energy, God demonstrates distinct personality traits. He isn’t a distant, unfeeling power or a mere cosmic influence – He’s a living being who interacts personally with His creation.

The Bible reveals several personal characteristics of God that mirror human personality traits, though His are perfect and complete. Consider these biblical descriptions:

• God is living (Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) – He’s not an inanimate object or abstract concept
• God sees (2 Chronicles 16:9) – He’s aware and observant of all that happens
• God knows (Psalms 94:11) – He possesses intelligence and understanding
• God laughs (Psalms 2:4) – He experiences and expresses emotions
• God is full of joy (Psalms 16:11) – He feels and communicates positive emotions

However, while God has personality, He is fundamentally different from humans in His essential nature – God is Spirit. This aspect of God’s nature means He has neither flesh, bones, nor blood. As John 4:24 clearly states, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” This spiritual nature makes God invisible to human eyes and impossible to represent in physical form.

1 Timothy 1:17 further emphasizes this, describing God as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible.” This spiritual nature has important implications for how we relate to and worship God. It’s why the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4-5a) prohibits making any physical representation of God: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.”

Understanding God as both person and spirit helps us avoid two common errors:

1. Thinking of God as an impersonal force or energy, which undermines the possibility of a genuine relationship with Him
2. Trying to reduce God to physical representations, which diminishes His transcendent nature

Just as military personnel must adapt their communication and interaction strategies based on whether they’re dealing with visible or invisible threats, we must adjust our understanding and approach to God based on His nature as both personal and spiritual. This dual nature of God – personal yet spirit – creates a unique dynamic in our relationship with Him. We can relate to Him personally, yet must do so through spiritual rather than physical means.

Like a commander who is both personally invested in their troops yet maintains appropriate authority and distance, God maintains both intimate involvement with His creation and transcendent separation from it. This balance allows for genuine relationship while preserving His divine nature.