1 Jn 4:24; ² Ex 3:14; Job 11:7–9; ³ Acts 7:2; ⁴ 1 Tim 6:15; ⁵ Mt 5:48; ⁶ Gen 17:1; ⁷ Ps 90:2; ⁸ Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17;
⁹ 1 Kgs 8:27; ¹⁰ Ps 139:1–13; ¹¹ Rev 4:8; ¹² Heb 4:13; Ps 147:5; ¹³ Rom 16:27; ¹⁴ Isa 6:3; Rev 15:4;
¹⁵ Deut 32:4; ¹⁶ Ex 34:6.

Most of our readers would be familiar with WSC 4, which remains one of the most beautiful and succinct statement on the doctrine of God. WLC 7, may not be as well-known and may not have the same beauty of expression as its shorter counterpart, but it is more comprehensive. We know of no better way to comment on it than to take it apart and to comment on it one phrase at a time:

(1) "God is a Spirit." This phrase, taken from John 4:24 teaches us that God is not corporal like us, so he cannot be seen or touched with our physical bodies. At the resurrection, believers will see God in the Lord Jesus Christ in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells.

(2) God is "in and of himself…" That is to say God is not dependent on anything outside of himself for his existence (aseity of God). This was how God describe himself to Moses when He reveals himself as the "I AM" (Ex 3:14).

(3) God is "infinite in being." That is to say that God is not limited in anyway in his being. Indeed He is not limited in all His ‘attributes’ which are listed in the following phrases. This is what Job’s friend Zophar is expressing when he says: "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea" (Job 11:7-9). In other words, He is really beyond our finite imagination, and He can never be adequately described by finite tongues. This is why Solomon in speaking about God’s being says: "behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee" (2Chr 6:18). God is the Creator of all things, how can anything contain him or adequately describe Him?

(4) God is "in and of himself infinite in… glory." God’s greatness or worth is beyond our imagination and knows no limit. None can add to his glory.

(5) God is "in and of himself infinite in… blessedness." God is ever-blessed. Nothing can add or subtract from his blessedness.

(6) God is "in and of himself infinite in… perfection." God is perfect. There is nothing lacking in Him in anyway. What God is, is the only real standard of perfection. Nothing can be added or subtracted from Him that will improve His perfection.

(7) God is "all-sufficient." God does not really need anything outside of Himself. Everything that is created and brought to pass is for the manifestation of his glory for the sake of His creatures.

(8) God is "eternal." He does not have any beginning or end. He is beyond time, for time is his creation. "from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Ps 90:2) says Moses.

(9) God is "unchangeable." Because God is perfect, he cannot change. He says: "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Mal 3:6). He does not change in His being and does not change His mind or purpose about anything. He is immutable.

(10) God is "incomprehensible." Finite creatures can apprehend God based on His self-revelation, but we can never fully comprehend Him or describe Him adequately.

(11) God is "everywhere present." God is omnipresent (Ps 139:5-12) unlike his creatures, whether corporal or spiritual.

(12) God is "almighty." God is omnipotent. His has power to do whatever He wills and He is doing whatever He wills.

(13) God is all-knowing and therefore "knowing all things." God knows all things including our thoughts and things that have not yet come to pass (Ps 139:1-4).

(14) God is "most wise." His wisdom and understanding knows no bounds.

(15) God is "most holy." He is transcendently holy and pure. Even the seraphim who were holy creatures created to serve Him have to cover their feet and their eyes before Him as they cry out to Him "Holy, holy, holy" (Isa 6:2-3). He is of "purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity" (Hab 1:13).

(16) God is "most just." Because God is holy, no evil will remain unpunished, and no righteousness will ever be wrongly punished.

 (17) God is "most merciful and gracious." Though God is just He shows mercy, grace and compassion to whom He will, and in His mercy He provides for their reconciliation to Him without transgressing His justice.

(18) God is "long-suffering." As the term implies, this refers to how God does not punish sin immediately. He gives time for repentance. But for the reprobate, His patience is not without limit, for He will one day call all to judgement and will render unto all what is due.

(19) God is "abundant in goodness" (Ex 34:6). God is good towards all his creatures, but especially His elect. His goodness to his creatures including the reprobate is in terms of his providence for their life in this world, which ultimately serves ultimately to manifest His glory.

(20) God is "abundant in… truth." All truth belongs to God. If anything is true, it is true because God has defined it to be true, and God’s truths does not contradict each other. Moreover, what God says will come to pass, will come to pass, therefore God’s being abundant in truth also imply His faithfulness.