(Independence Of God, Freedom Of God)
No. God is independent of everything. This includes His creatures and His creation. He needs nothing to exist. There are no restrictions upon His character. While humans need food, oxygen, and water to exist, God needs none of these things. He alone is the self-existing one. God is free to do whatever He chooses.
This is also known as the independence of God or the freedom of God. The Bible has the following to say.
1. Only God Is The Self-Existing One
When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He said the following.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob - has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation (Exodus 3:13-15).
The Hebrew word for “Lord” sounds like the word for I AM. It may be derived from it but the derivation is not certain. The point is that God exists by virtue of His own nature. Paul wrote.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods (Galatians 4:8).
2. He Is The Source Of Life
God is the source, or fountain of life. The psalmist wrote.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light (Psalm 36:9).
Jesus said.
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself (John 5:26).
He is the living God. In the Book of Joshua we read.
Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God” (Joshua 3:10).
Speaking of Jesus, God the Son, the Bible says.
In him was life; and the life was the light of all people (John 1:4).
He created all things.
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11)
3. He Does Not Need To Be Taught In Isaiah we read about God’s knowledge.
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as his counselor has informed him? With whom did he consult and who gave him understanding? And who taught him in the path of justice and taught him knowledge and informed him of the way of understanding? (Isaiah 40:13-14).
The answer, of course, is that none have taught Him.
Isaiah also wrote.
Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD - with the first of them and with the last - I am he (Isaiah 41:4).
4. His Knowledge Is Not Dependent Upon Anything
The knowledge of God is not dependent upon anything or anyone. We read the following in Hebrews.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13).
5. His Actions Are Dependent Upon No One
The actions of God are not dependent upon any one. God created the universe out of no preexisting materials. Neither did He have any help with the creating process.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
Paul said.
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands (Acts 17:24).
6. His Happiness Is Not Dependent On Anyone
The happiness of God is not dependent upon anything. He is able to bless believers with every spiritual blessing. Paul wrote.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
7. God Is Not Obligated To Anyone
God is not obligated to humanity unless He wishes to be obligated. He is not in our debt. Therefore God does what He alone chooses. His choice is not determined by an obligation to any one or any thing. If He does something for us, it is because He chooses to do so.
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me (Job 41:11).
The Lord also said that everything belongs
For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it (Psalm 50:10-12).
Summary
The Lord revealed Himself to Moses as the self-existing one. This is known as God’s independence. It can be illustrated in a number of ways. First, God is the only entity in the universe that is self-sustaining.
He is not dependent upon anything to exist. In addition, He is the source of life for everything. Everything owes their existence to Him.
Because He is self-existent He does not need to be taught neither can He learn anything new. His actions are not dependent upon anyone. Also His happiness does not depend on any one or any thing – He does not need anyone to love. Neither is God obligated to anyone. He does what he pleases. Everything about God speaks of total self-sufficiency.