That includes not only the small things, but also the big things (which, after all, are accumulations of small things). Even the events we call random, that we ascribe to chance, are really God at work (Prov 16:33). This includes the smallest details of the natural world, like the falling of a sparrow or the number of hairs that grow on your head (Matt 6:26-30, 10:29-30). So how should we define God’s omnipotence more precisely? I think the most helpful definition of God’s omnipotence is this: that he has complete and total control over everything. Nor can God do things inappropriate to his nature as God, like buying shoes or celebrating his birthday. His truth is a perfect consistency of thought and action. And, since he is perfect truth, he cannot do things that are logically contradictory, like making round squares. Since God is perfectly holy and good, he cannot do anything evil. Num 23:19), nor, similarly, can he perform any immoral action.
#Omnipresence pronunciation full#
Often we infer from these passages that God “can do anything.” But that doesn’t quite reflect the full biblical teaching. So his word always prevails, and we can trust that His prophecies always come to pass (Deut 18:21-22). He ordains sinful, disobedient actions for his good purposes. Of course, creatures do disobey him in one sense that is the essence of sin. His word is never void of power, so when he speaks, everything in creation obeys him (Isa 55:11).
Scripture affirms God’s omnipotence by saying that God does whatever he is pleased to do (Psa 115:3 cf. The prefix omni means “all,” so the three divine attributes in our title can be paraphrased by saying that God is “all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present.” Let us look at these individually.