God's Signature Characteristic

Most of us develop a unique way of signing our name that’s called a signature characteristic and may reveal something about our personality. Graphology is the art of analyzing personality characteristics in handwriting. While the scientific accuracy of graphology may be debated, if we see a shy, quiet person sign a register, we would be surprised to see a large, bold signature.

In a similar way, we often use one-word descriptors to capture the “signature characteristic” of a person's behavior. You've probably heard comments like “He's very competitive,” “She's a private person” or “He wears his feelings on his sleeve.” These statements immediately produce an image in our minds of how that person will interact with us.

A few years ago, Baylor University conducted a survey in which 1,700 people were asked to fill out a checklist of characteristics they felt were most descriptive of God. Overall, 92 percent of the respondents indicated they believed in some type of God or higher power, but in analyzing their results, four distinct “signatures” of God's personality and engagement in human affairs emerged.

The most widely held view (31 percent) saw God as an authoritarian deity involved in the details of every creature's life and the world affairs of humans. They believe God is continually angered by human acts of sin and ready to release thunderbolts of judgment on ungodly persons.

The next most common description (24 percent) defined God as a distant cosmic force who launched creation, but then walked off and left it alone. For these people there is no real afterlife. This world is all there is. Close behind at 23 percent were those respondents who saw God as a benevolent deity who sets absolute standards for humanity but is also forgiving. While He's ultimately in control of everything, He offers multiple chances for humans to correct their ways by making better choices.

About 16 percent of respondents saw God as a critical deity who keeps a judgmental eye on the world. However, they don't see Him as actively involved in human affairs or as intervening to either punish or comfort people.

I must admit that the survey results caught me by surprise, for not one of them mentioned what I believe to be God's strongest signature characteristic: blessing. Blessing may be the most frequently mentioned activity associated with God in Scripture. The theme of blessing is found over 400 times in the Old Testament and 65 times in the New Testament. Everywhere blessing is synonymous with God. When He shows up, so does blessing. In fact, blessing is so intrinsic to God that we could say it's God's nature to bless.

God began His relationship with humanity by blessing Adam and Eve. When they chose to go in a different direction, God still pursued their descendents and created a covenant of blessing with one in particular, Abraham. But God didn't stop there. He promised Abraham that through his descendent (Jesus Christ), He would bless the whole world!

When you think of God, what characteristic comes to your mind? Scripture tells us, “All praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (Eph. 1:3). God wants to bless us in every way! Spend time today in the Scriptures and let God reveal His signature characteristic of blessing to your heart.

Come join us this Sunday as Pastor David Oh continues our “Prosperity God’s Way” Series at our 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM services. His message is titled “Kingdom Economy.”