This is the first part in a series on the attributes of God.
When we speak of God’s attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that helps us to understand who He truly is. One of His attributes is “self-existence.”
Where it is in the Bible
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.””
(Exodus 3:14)
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
(Psalm 90:2)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
(John 1:1-5)
“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”
(John 5:26)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
(Colossians 1:15-17)
What it means
By self-existence, we refer to that unique attribute of God by which He has existed eternally and will always exist so.
Unlike all other things that relate to our existence, God does not owe His being to any other thing. I owe my existence to my mother and father and all my varium of ancestors. My computer owes its existence to Compaq employees and a host of subcontractors. And our earth owes its existence to God who through whatever means and processes He saw fit, created the world.
All events have causes. All creatures have been created. Except for God. God is the uncaused cause and the uncreated creator. God did not depend upon anything outside Himself for His existence, nor will He ever depend upon anyone for it.
Why it matters
As the Self-Existent One, God does not need us to worship or glorify Him. Yet, out of His kindness and grace, He invites us creatures to partake in such worship. If God was dependent upon others for His existence, His glory, or His joy, then He would not be much of a God at all.
Also, although the Self-Existent One does not need us for anything, He still willingly chooses to delight in His creaturely people, even to the point that He sings over them (Zeph. 3:17-18)!
