What comes to your mind when you think of God? In the classic, The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer observes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” The first verse of the Bible records these words,

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

These four words, “In the beginning God” reveals a significant theological truth. God has always existed. Theologians refer to God’s self-existence as aseity (Latin: a “from” and se “self”). God is the cosmological first cause of all that exists. The Apostle John opens his Gospel with the same first three words of Genesis,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

A few verses later in this chapter, John reveals that the “Word” refers to Jesus,

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

The verb tense “was” indicates Jesus’ eternal preexistence. Before the universe was created, the triune God has always existed. John then describes the metaphysical implications of God’s creative work,

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:3)

In the beginning refers to the beginning of time, but God has always existed. God is atemporal, He exists without the limitations of time. God is independent of time. Think of the significance of this truth! God broke through space and time and became a man to reveal His great love for you and me. What should be our response to the God who left the splendor of heaven to come so that we might have life and have it more abundantly? The Psalmist gives us an appropriate response,

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 136:1)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Chu,rch at LifePark,

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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