Three words in the Bible that tell about who God Is

     When people ask, “Who is God?” it can feel like too big a question to answer. The Bible contains many names and descriptions of God—Creator, Redeemer, Shepherd, King, Almighty, Father, and more. Yet, amazingly, the Bible also gives us three very simple, direct answers in just three words:

● God is Love (1 John 4:8)

● God is Light (1 John 1:5)

● God is Spirit (John 4:24)

     Each of these short statements is filled with meaning. They are not theological theories; they are Scripture itself. Together, they provide a powerful guide to understanding who God is and how we are meant to relate to Him.

1. God is Love

   “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

     This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, and for good reason. John tells us directly that love is the essence of God’s nature. Everything He does flows from love.

What does this mean?

○ Love is not just one of God’s qualities; it is His very being.

○ Love defines how He relates to creation, to humanity, and to each one of us personally.

○ Without love, we cannot claim to truly know God.

Scriptural examples of God’s love

1. Creation itself – When God created the world, He did so out of love. After forming the heavens, earth, and all living things, He looked at everything and declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Creation was an act of divine generosity.

2. God’s covenant with Israel – Deuteronomy 7:7–8 explains that God chose Israel not because they were strong or numerous, but because He loved them. His love was the reason for His covenant promises.

3. The gift of Jesus Christ – The greatest example of divine love is found in 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.”

How God’s love changes us

     Romans 5:8 reminds us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God loved us at our worst. His love is unconditional, not based on our performance or goodness.

     Knowing God is love gives us security and peace. Even in discipline, His love is at work: “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:6).

     If God is love, then the Christian life must be marked by love. John writes in 1 John 4:11, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Loving others is not optional—it is the evidence that we truly know God.

2. God is Light

  “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

     The second statement tells us that God is Light. Light in Scripture is often a symbol of holiness, purity, truth, and life.

What does this mean?

● God’s holiness is absolute. There is no trace of sin, evil, or deception in Him.

● God reveals truth. Just as light exposes what is hidden in the dark, God shines His truth into the world and into our hearts.

● God gives guidance. Light shows the way forward and drives away fear.

Scriptural examples of God as light

1. Creation of light – God’s very first act in creation was to say, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). This was not just physical light—it symbolized His nature as the One who dispels darkness.

2. Guidance to Israel – In the wilderness, God led Israel with a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). His light literally guided them through unknown territory.

3. The Psalms – David testifies, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). God’s light brought him courage and safety.

4. Jesus Christ – In John 8:12, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Since Jesus is one with the Father (John 10:30), this shows how God’s light shines through His Son.

How God’s light affects us

● Exposes sin – Light reveals what is hidden. When we walk with God, we cannot remain in hidden sin. 1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus…purifies us from all sin.”

● Guides our path – Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s light directs us when life feels confusing.

● Gives hope – Darkness represents despair and fear, but light represents hope. Isaiah 60:19 says, “The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”

     If God is light, then we are called to live in the light. Paul encourages believers in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” This means honesty, purity, and righteousness should mark our lives as God’s children.

3. God is Spirit

  “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

     The third statement comes from Jesus Himself, during His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. He revealed that true worship is not about a location or outward ritual but about the heart and the Spirit.

What does this mean?

● God is invisible and eternal. He does not have a physical body like humans (1 Timothy 1:17).

● God is not confined to a place. His presence fills heaven and earth (Jeremiah 23:24).

● God gives life through His Spirit. He is the source of all breath and existence (Job 33:4).

Scriptural examples of God as Spirit

1. Creation – In Genesis 1:2, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” From the very beginning, God’s Spirit was active in creation.

2. God’s presence – David cried in Psalm 139:7, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” The answer is nowhere—because God as Spirit is everywhere.

3. Worship – Paul explains in Philippians 3:3, “For it is we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.” Worship is genuine only when guided by the Spirit.

How God as Spirit affects us

● We become His temple – 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…?” This means God’s Spirit dwells in believers.

● We are led by the Spirit – Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” As Spirit, God guides us into truth and holiness.

● We receive life – The Spirit is the breath of God that sustains us. Romans 8:11 promises that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies.

         If God is Spirit, then worship is not about outward appearance but inner truth. We cannot impress God with rituals, buildings, or traditions. What matters is the sincerity of heart and worship empowered by His Spirit.

How These Three Words Work Together

     When we put these three truths side by side, we get a beautiful picture of God:

● Love shows His heart toward us.

● Light shows His holiness and truth.

● Spirit shows His eternal nature and presence.

○Love explains His motive.

○ Light explains His character.

○ Spirit explains His nature.

     These three words complement each other perfectly. If we only knew God as Spirit, He might feel distant. But knowing He is Love draws us near. If we only knew God as Love, we might forget His holiness. But knowing He is Light calls us to live righteously. Together, they reveal the full picture of who He is.

Practical Lessons for Us

1. Because God is Love, we must love others.

  1 John 4:11: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

2. Because God is Light, we must live in truth and holiness.

  Ephesians 5:8–9: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”

3. Because God is Spirit, we must worship sincerely and be Spirit-led.

  Galatians 5:25: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

     The Bible gives us many names of God, but in three short words it reveals His nature:

● God is Love (1 John 4:8).

● God is Light (1 John 1:5).

● God is Spirit (John 4:24).

     These words are not complicated—they are simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough to guide us for a lifetime.

     They remind us that God is not distant. He is Love that embraces us, Light that guides us, and Spirit that fills us. When we know Him in this way, our faith becomes alive, our worship becomes real, and our lives reflect His glory.