Aseity - An attribute of God (warning - doctrine ahead)!

Last night I was working with Sally on translating some more studies from German into English. We were finishing up a study on prayer and why it is important for the Christian life. I then remarked how amazing it is God doesn’t “need” us for anything. He is self-satisfied or self-pleased. But, He desires a relationship with us – which is amazing! He is complete within Himself and chooses to pursue us in a right relationship with Him. Part of that relationship is realized in prayer.

So, scroll past the next few things if you don’t really want to learn a cool point of doctrine and definition for this particular attribute of God. I love learning new things, especially when it is about God!

All of the following I got from this site: Monergism

Definition of Aseity- God is self-existent, God has always been. Literal: From Latin aseite, of oneself. Theologically: the self-existence of God an independent existence.

”God’s self existence is basic truth. At the outset of his presentation of the unknown God to the Athenian idolaters, Paul explained that this God, the world’s Creator, “is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:23-25). Sacrifices offered to idols, in today’s tribal religions, as in ancient Athens, are thought of as somehow keeping the god going, but the Creator (the I AM) needs no such support system. The word aseity, meaning that he has life in himself and draws his unending energy from Himself (a se in Latin means “from himself”), was coined by theologians to express this truth, which the Bible makes clear.” (Packer, J.I., 26-27)

Biblical basis for Aseity - Gen 1:1; Psa. 90:2; John 1:1-3; John 8:58; Exodus 3:14; Acts 17:25; Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; Heb. 2:10; Rev 1:8; Rev. 4:11.

Why is God’s Aseity an important attribute of God for us to know?

“In theology, endless mistakes result from supposing that the conditions, bounds, and limits of our finite existence apply to God. The doctrine of His aseity stands as a bulwark against such mistakes. In our life of faith, we easily impoverish ourselves by embracing an idea of God that is too limited and small, and again the doctrine of God’s aseity stands as a bulwark to stop this happening. It is vital for spiritual health to believe that God is great (Ps. 95:1-7), and grasping the truth of God’s aseity is the first step on the road to doing this.” (Packer, 27)

Our Response to the Aseity of God: A sense of complete awe, a sense of utter dependence, a sense of deepest humility and a sense of ultimate gratitude

Have you spent time alone with God in prayer today? Stop what you are doing right now…go away (into your closet if need be..) and get alone with God. The Creator of the universe, the very One who ordains your next step, the very One Who sustains and holds together our being, loves you and desires an intimate relationship with you. Amazing!

I love you, God! You are beyond the ability for my finite mind to grasp! Thank You for loving me and calling me to You!

doglegangi!!