The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Character… Capability"
Part 2
Can God do anything? An interesting Biblical answer presents itself to our hearts and minds.
"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).
"God… cannot lie" (Titus 1:2).
Certainly, in terms of capability, our Lord's power must be understood in terms of transcendent omnipotence. "His greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm 145:3). No difficulty begins to challenge the ability of God to successfully fulfill whatever He purposes to do. In that sense, a resounding "Yes!" provides the answer regarding God's power to perform.
However, in the introduction of his epistle to Titus, the Apostle Paul references something God "cannot" do. He cannot lie. The Apostle John concurred: "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5). The Lord cannot utter even the slightest trace of falsehood. He must ever communicate in terms of the most perfect truth and veracity. This principle of perfection extends to every aspect of God's moral rectitude. "Without iniquity is He, just and right is He" (Deuteronomy 32:4). Our Lord cannot think, speak, act, or relate in any manner other than the perfectly pristine reflection of His inviolable nature and way. Thus, there are many things He "cannot" do.
We must view God in these terms in order to have confidence in His capability, while also bearing proper conviction regarding His character. Such awareness powerfully affects our understanding of His doings, and our prayerful requests regarding how He will act on our behalf and that of others.
"This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (I John 5:14).
God often acts in our lives and in the world in ways beyond our understanding. However, one thing we can know clearly and without uncertainty: "His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31). Thus, as we pray and seek to understand our Lord's doings, the dual sensibility of "can" and "cannot" must guide our considerations. The most earnest and sincere prayer will not convince our Heavenly Father to act in a way that violates He character. "If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me" prayed the Lord Jesus Himself in the hour of the greatest stress, sorrow, and suffering any human being has ever known (Matthew 26:39). Certainly, in terms of power, God the Father could have saved God the Son. In terms of truth and integrity, however, He could not and did not do so. The fulfillment of God's eternal purpose in His Son required the cross. Our Father could not have delivered the Lord Jesus from the cross without violating Himself and His truth. We will forever be grateful for this "cannot" of God's perfect way.
As always, two rails form the parallel track of God's truth. What He can do overwhelms the trusting heart with awe and wonder. What He cannot do also casts us to our knees and faces in loving devotion and wonder. This is who He is, and this is how He acts. The train of our understanding must journey upon both rails if we are to relate to God rightly, and if we are to serve as faithful ambassadors of His light and truth.
"They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom."
(Psalm 145:11-12)
"God cannot be tempted with evil… Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness?"
(Exodus 15:11)
Weekly Memory Verse
This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.
(I John 5:14)
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Weekly Memory Verse
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."
(I John 3:2).
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