Self-existent Independent Uncreated God

As a baby, we were dependent on our parents or caregiver. We needed help with everything from eating, washing, dressing, sitting up, etc. We could do nothing for ourselves—total dependence. In a sense, that is true for us today. Of course, we can feed, clean, and dress, but it is only possible because of God. He created us and sustains us.

Let’s take a moment and think about God. He is not dependent on anyone.

“God, who is himself uncreated, creates everything. Gathering no materials, pinning no swatches to mood boards, consulting no color wheels, God speaks and the universe leaps into being.” (Wilkin, 2016)

Eternity past. God was before he created the heavens and the earth. He was. No one created God. He has been, was, and is.

“In the beginning, God” There was no heaven, where His glory is now particularly manifested.
There was no earth to engage his attention. There were no angels to hymn his praises; no universe to be upheld by the word of his power. There was nothing, no one but God; and that, not for a day, a year or an age but from everlasting” (Pink, 1975)

Does this not give you comfort? In a previous post, (Unchanging comfort), we looked at the immutability of God (his unchanging attribute). God does not change and is independent of us. Knowing that God is independent of His creation assures us that everything originated from Him. He exists outside of His creation. The things that happen in his creation don’t directly affect him.

I like the definition that Wayne Grudem gives about God’s independence. “ God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy” (2020)

God is self-sufficient

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Act 17:24-25 ESV

God freely chose to create us for his glory.

“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah 43:7 ESV

“God does not need us for anything, yet it is the amazing fact of our existence that he chooses to delight in us and to allow us to bring joy to his heart” (Grudem, 2020)

I am humbled to know that God does not need or depend on me. I would fail would him every time. But, he chose me, and I am grateful!

References
Arthur, P (1975) The Attributes of God
Grudem, W (2020)
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine 2nd Edition
Wilkin, J (2016) None Like Him 10 Ways God is Different From Us (and why it is a good thing)