I thought that I would write something less controversial on my blog than my previous entry. I believe it is important to understand God. You could almost call the study of the attributes of God a study of the science of God. This is what makes God the Deity that He is and it helps us understand Him better. That being said, there is no way to fully understand a being that is completely infinite. But we can at least take what He's shown us in His word and try to apply it to our own lives in some way that makes sense and is practical for improved living as a Christian.
The following short study is a rudimentary break-down of a study which I hope to share at our Church meeting in a couple of weeks. Comments are most welcome and further thoughts are always appreciated, when substantiated by God's Word.
Omnipotence is an attribute that only God possesses. God alone is omnipotent. There is no other being, angel or otherwise, that is omnipotent. Omnipotent means “possessing unlimited power; all powerful.” Out of nothing, God spoke into existence the heavens, the earth, all the stars, the galaxies, planets, moons, holding them together in perfection at the right distance from each other. He did not mold them together; He spoke all of creation into existence out of nothing. “Let there be light” and there was light. The definition “possessing unlimited power” does not really convey to us God’s omnipotence. We are limited in our understanding.
Omnipotence is the attribute which describes God’s ability to do whatever He wills. There is no end to God’s power. There is no limit to God’s power. It is as easy for Him to cause a leaf to fall by saying “leaf fall from the tree” as to create a universe by saying “universe, be” and there’s a whole new universe.”
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
- Jeremiah 32:17
His power is over all people, nations and languages and His omnipotence is an “everlasting dominion.”
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
- Daniel 7:14
God’s power is not limited to events. His dominion is also over the heart and mind of man. He has and can bend the mind of man for His purpose.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing…
- Ezra 1:1
We cannot change one thing for the very hairs of our head are numbered (Matthew 10:30). We cannot draw an extra breath than what is appointed to us (Luke 12:20). Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Not even our thoughts are hidden from God!
In chapter 42, verse 2, of Job it says:
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
- Job 42:2
The power or omnipotence of God no boundary. As God is eternal, His omnipotence or power has no limits.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
- Revelation 19:6
I believe if we could understand better and keep in mind more consistantly the full "all knowing" power of God, we would strive to avoid doing even the hidden sins that we are apt to commit-- the little ones, like speeding, and the big ones, like lusting. We would realize that to God, there is no "big" or "little" sins-- all sin is worthy of damnation and punishment because He is also 100% just and cannot tolerate evil.
My challenge to the reader would be this: Remember God is always with you. He is ready to bestow blessing and mercy, love and grace. He also will chasten you, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, to bring you closer to Himself should you stray from doing right.
Ask yourself the question daily, "would I do this if Jesus was actually physically sitting behind me right now?" Most often you won't get through the question before you have your answer.
God bless!
Do we need to grant God approval for what He does in our world or lives? Should God be responsible to US for the bad things that happen in the world (e.g. hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, volcanoes, deaths)?
The answer to this question is a definite "NO!". He is GOD.
Would we be able to comprehend God's reasons if He gave us an explanation for what He does? Doubtful.
God is in control of a world filled with complicated situations. One event may appear "bad" for us or someone we know, but work for a greater good to dozens of even hundreds of other people. Sometimes the way we respond to these things may be one way God may want to use them to His glory and for a greater good. That is part of responsibility. The word "responsibility" means "the ability to choose my response". In this case, choosing the response we have towards situations or events that we don't understand at first.
Let's say, as way of an example, that I am on my way to work and my car starts to smoke and then bursts into flame. Do you think that people I know will observe and react to my response to this event? You bet they will! They would certainly be forgiving if I threw a fit, jumped up and down and yelled angrily, or even hurled insults and questions towards God above regarding His reasons for allowing this to happen to me. However, if I were to compose myself & respond maturely and in a Christian manner, perhaps my employer would take note and want to know the reason why I would behave as such.
God does not owe us an explanation for what He does. He is faced with so much complexity (as far as we see it) that, should He try to explain it to us, our minds would almost certainly go into overload trying to grasp it all. Even still, at the end of His explanation, we would still be disapproving -- we aren't divine and would be capable of grasping the entire divine plan before us.
It is for these reasons that we have something called "faith". We have faith in God's power and ability to control our lives and this world in which we live. God can make a change in this world that may bring thousands of people to Him over decades-- but without our faith in God, we might think the change (or event) to be harsh and horrible.
The word "responsibility" means "the ability to choose my response".
As an example of this, think of Hurricane Katrina. This storm did massive amounts of damage. It wiped out thousands of homes and destroyed many millions of dollars worth of property-- not to mention the loss of lives both in humans and animals! These events also forced people who had a heart and ability to do something to go forth and help others. As a result there were many conversions for Christ. There were hundreds of people who learned to place new value on human life! Perhaps this event that so many people said was just the judgement of God was in reality also used as a mean to bring out the spirit of Christianity in people and also to make people aware of their sad state of materialism?
Having put that thought into play, let me ask you a question: How many times have we all completely missed the point God was trying to make? Do we try to understand what may be used to glorify God in our response or do we speak and act in haste in a manner that is not useful or Godly?
We need to prayerfully consider these things and ask God to help us have the faith to act responsibly next time something bad happens in our life.
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