Oftentimes we build our own idea of God. It's even pretty safe to say that we have all molded God into our own image in our lives. But what does the Bible have to say about God and who He is? Is there a way that we can determine some of His character?
He who does not love does not know
God, for God is love.
I John 4:8
Here the Bible clearly states that God is love. In another part of the Bible love is then defined in more detail.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
I Corinthians 13:4-8
From this we can determine some of God's character and it's laid out very plainly. "Love suffers long and is kind;..." God is very patient and kind. He has been noted many times for His patience and kindness. A good example would be the ancient city of Nineveh who repented and was spared from God's wrath. "...love does not envy;..." God does not envy, which means to covet others' possessions. " love does not parade itself,..." in this context pride is the root of the parading and God is far from prideful. Any talking done by God about His own greatness is something that He is worthy of and is for our good as a reminder of how good He is to us. To help build our faith. " ...is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;..." all of these behaviors are very indicative of us fallen men but not a righteous God. "...does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." God rejoices in good and truthful things. God also loves through thick and thin, ever faithful. He loves without bounds, not needing a return, a complete love without hesitation. And He never gives up.
Lastly, "Love never fails." God never has, and never will fail. If He says it He means it. God is the epitome of the truth and if He says something is so, then it is. If He promises something to His people, it will happen. He NEVER fails. This same God didn't fail when He said He would rise from the grave. He won't fail if you ask Him to be your Savior. We can have great assurance in knowing that God will bring to pass what He says will happen. It is written in Romans 10:13...
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
No matter who you are or where you came from these attributes of love are true of God. God's character is good, as described in the verses, and whosoever calls on Him will be saved. Not maybe, not probably, not after you complete this list first, but WILL be saved. This can give the believer great assurance knowing that the work of the cross is what is bearing them up to heaven and not their works. God makes it simple and sure that you will be saved. Without doubt God's character is sure and great. And His love is greater still. He says it and means it. It will come to pass if you will call upon Him today.