What Does The Unity of God Mean?
The Unity of God
Many people have never heard of the unity of God, let alone studied God’s unity. Even so, it is one of the most important attributes of God. In truth, much of the error in modern theology comes from an abuse of God’s unity.
So, what does the unity of God mean? God is not separated into different parts. Even though it is good and right to discuss the various attributes of God, and that these different attributes of God are observed more fully at different times, it must be understood that God’s character is always consistent with all of His attributes operating in unity. God is not divided. His attributes never act independently from each other. God and His character are a unified whole. Every action God does comes forth from His entire character. For example, God does not sacrifice His justice to uphold His mercy. In every action He upholds His entire character in perfect unity.
Since God’s character and attributes exist eternally in unity, error will ALWAYS result when anyone attempts to separate or elevate any of the attributes of God above the others. We can study the attributes individually but they do not exist individually in the character of God. Instead, each exists in perfect unity and harmony with all the other attributes of God. The unity of God is a very important concept to understand. Let’s take a deeper look into the unity of God.
All of God
As finite men and women seek to understand an infinite God we often seek to compartmentalize God to make theology more approachable. We take various attributes and focus in on them as if we were looking into a microscope. This isn’t necessarily wrong.
However, many fail to back up and look at the bigger picture. Failing to keep each attribute in the context of God’s unity often leads us to being stuck on one or two attributes and thus distorting the image of the revealed God. We end up with a caricature of God instead of seeing Him as He truly has revealed Himself.
God has revealed Himself to us in various bite-sized portions. Revealing different attributes at different times according to different circumstances. But this in no way means that God has ceased to be one thing and is now another. Nor does it mean that He has somehow lessened one attribute in order to uphold another.
God is perfectly unified in every attribute all the time.
The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But He by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children's children, to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)
God remains the same throughout all of our generations.
Listen, Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
God is one. God is unity. The Scriptures do not teach that God compromises one attribute in order to lift up another. They teach the opposite. God upholds all of His attributes together in perfect unity and harmony. Always and forever.
Consistency In Everything
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is unchanging (click the link to read our article on this topic).
God is constant and unified in all He has done, is doing, and will do. There has never been a time where God has compromised one attribute in lieu of another and there never will be. Because God is constant and unchanging.
This is great news. It means that we can take God fully at His Word, always! His Word is always trustworthy and true because it rests in the constant and unchanging unified God.
Salvation will always be by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8).
God will never allow the guilty to go unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7).
God will always save those who eagerly wait for Him (Hebrews 9:28).
God will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).
These statements, and many more, are true and will always be true. Because they rest in the unified, constant, and unchanging God. God will always act according to His revealed unified character. Thus, a truth spoken two, three, or even five thousand years ago remains true today.
God is going to judge the world in righteousness. The evidence of this is that Jesus, His eternal beloved Son is resurrected from the dead (Acts 17:31). Yet, as long as it is called TODAY, God is offering salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, His Son. Jesus is the one:
Who on the cursed cross endured the wrath of God on behalf of sinners.
Who died and was buried.
Who was raised from the dead on the third day, seen by many, and took His rightful seat at the right hand of God on high (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12).
Who was made both Lord and Savior of all men everywhere, but especially for those who believe (Acts 2:36; 1 Timothy 4:10).
The same God who has raised this Jesus from the dead has given Him the name that is above every name, Lord (Philippians 2:9). God has said, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
This was true yesterday. It is true today. And it will be true tomorrow. Because it rests upon a unified and unchanging God.
For related content, see our articles:
Related Questions
What does the unified church believe? There are a lot of different denominations, groups, and cults that all claim to be “Christian.” All of these differing groups have different belief statements that make them distinct. However, there is a core set of beliefs that make a group Christian or not. Within this core is a belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that salvation is found in Him. For more see our article, Christianity 101.
What does it mean to be unified with God? To answer this question let’s first begin with what unity of God doesn’t mean. Unity with God doesn’t mean that we become a god, or gods. To be unified with God means that we believe upon His Son unto salvation and then partake in His work of reconciling sinful men to a holy God.