Omnipotence
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Rev. 19:6). Such will be the praise of God’s people in the final judgment when God has proven to everyone that He is the “King of kings and Lord of Lords” (vs. 16). The adjective, “omnipotent” is rendered “Almighty” in Scripture and occurs only in the book of Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 26:7,14; 19:6, 15; 21:22) except for 2 Cor. 6:18. God alone has the power to create something out of nothing. In addition to His original creation, the Bible records many “mighty acts” that no other created being can accomplish. He continues to express His power by creating new things (Matt. 3:9; Rom. 4:17), according to His pleasure, because nothing is too hard for God (Gen. 18:14). In God resides the power to produce and control everything that comes to pass.
The power of God is demonstrated in His ability to ensure that all prophesies are fulfilled. To do that God must have the ability to orchestrate whatever events are necessary in order for His word to come true. This power is uniquely demonstrated in granting the barren Elizabeth to be pregnant with John the Baptist, and impregnating the Virgin Mary so that Jesus could rightfully sit on the throne of David (Lu. 1:26-38). When the astonished Mary asked how this could be, “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you . . . For nothing is impossible with God’” (Lu. 1:35,37).
The omnipotence of God is only limited by His Word and nature, because His power is of His own essence. For instance, God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). God cannot be self-contradictory by sinning or dying. God cannot pretend that what has happened has not happened. God cannot use His power in an unwise or unholy way and therefore He cannot abuse his power. Absolute authority corrupts absolutely for those who are corruptible, but God is incorruptible. God’s omnipotence is constrained by His love.
Knowing the omnipotence of God is a tremendous blessing for the children of God. First, we are assured of His protection. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Ps. 91:1,2). Second, “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Third, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). It is incredible to think, but highly profitable to know that God has extended His power to those who believe (Eph. 1:19). As believers, we don’t have the power to do whatever we want, we have God’s power to do His will. We can do everything through Christ that is consistent with His nature and will.
God is far more than an impersonal force that creates mountains and controls the forces of nature. He is the all powerful God within us, who lovingly uses His power to change us from sinners to saints. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).
Dr. Neil
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