The limitations of God- part one
Posted 08-08-2013 at 04:08 PM by Joint heir with jesus
THE LIMITATIONS OF GOD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: MAN-MADE AND SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS OF GOD
MENTAL IMAGE OF GOD
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LAWS OF GOD
14 MAN-MADE LIMITATIONS OF GOD
SINNER'S PRAYER
Section 2: FREE-WILL
GOD'S FREE-WILL
ANGELS FREE-WILL
MAN'S FREE-WILL
14 LIMITATIONS THAT RESTRICT MAN'S ABILITY TO SEE THE EXISTANCE OF GOD
Section 3: 9 MORE LIMITATIONS OF GOD
CONCLUSION
Notes:
1. All scripture is King James Version.
2. When reading the words "man" or "men" you should know that the author refers to ALL mankind, not just the male half. The words man or men therefore include all women and young adults of both sexes who are past the age of accountabilty in God's eyes.
Section 1
MAN-MADE AND SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS OF GOD
There are two kinds of limitations on God:
1. Man-made and
2. God self-imposed
***Most of humanity has failed to realize, indeed failed to LEARN that God has limitations. This failure to learn applies to all peoples: atheists, agnostics, believers of every major and minor religion and also includes Christians. Of all the varous reasons that people world-wide do not believe in God, I know in my heart that limitations on Him are the number one reason. They are also paramount in a Christian's lack of faith when certain prayers are not answered. This in turn can lead to a falling away from God in part or eventually, completely. This lack of closeness to God hinders the believer from becoming all that he or she can be in Christ.*** Many Christians leave the church after two or three years shaking their heads and saying, "Is that all there is? I really thought there would be more." There is more! Going to the right church (a Spirit-filled church) and learning of and accepting the limitations of God lead to a deeper understanding of God and therefore a better relationship to Him.
Most Christians understand, but few non-believers grasp the concept that just because God is all powerful doesn't mean that He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!! ***Receive this: YOUR SIN HINDERS GOD'S ABILITY TO ANSWER PRAYERS, BLESS YOU, ANNOINT YOU OR EVEN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.*** It doesn't take long for God to show us this basic principle. He kicks Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden which separates them from Him, in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. The PHYSICAL separation between Adam and Eve and God represents what happens SPIRITUALLY between God and sinful man. ***If any one doctrine is crystal clear as presented in the Holy Bible it is that sin separates man from God.*** The duration and intensity of this separation however, is up each individual human being. ***Additionally, He has ordained rules and regulations FOR HIMSELF that govern His actions just the same as He created laws and rules for you and I. These are limitations God has placed upon Himself.*** Many of these limits are linked together by common moral, ethical and spiritual laws- the boundaries of which God can never allow Himself to step over. These are boundaries that He CANNOT cross. These are boundaries that He WILL NOT cross. Not crossing these boundaries often-times makes it tough for man to see and interact with God.
MENTAL IMAGE OF GOD
We all retain mental images in our brain. Along with this mental image comes whatever understanding and knowledge we have on the subject. If I say the word "banana" to you, your mind immediately places a picture and mental understanding of it in your consciousness and you know exactly what I am talking about. You know exactly how it looks, smells, feels and tastes. You know that you have to peel it's yellow outer skin back to get at all it's goodness inside. This is your mental image of a banana. A God with limitations doesn't fit very well in our human mental image. The words limitations, boundaries or restrictions don't seem to apply to God; it seems contrary to our human way of thinking to even insinuate that God might be limited. The flaw with mental images is that they are not always accurate; they don't always reflect or relay to us the whole truth. Sports fans carry a mental image of their favorite teams but often see them as alot better than they really are. They may also see their opponents as not quite as good as they truly are. This happens when their emotions get infused into the mental image. Other flaws occur from lack of knowledge, learning and/or understanding. ***If you are a Christian who currently is or has in the past blamed God for anything, you need to be reminded of His limitations or learn of them now. If you are a non-believer reading this, it is intended to reveal the truth about the limitations of God and thus create within your mind a new and accurate mental image of God. It is written to teach you of the truth of God's ability OR INABILITY to interact with a sinful humanity.***
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LAWS OF GOD
In addition to establishing physical laws, such as the laws that govern and run the universe (like gravity, light, heat, cold, nuclear fusion, momentum etc..), God also created all spiritual laws. ***He is MORALLY and LEGALLY BOUND TO HONOR ALL of these laws, so, effectually, BOTH MAN AND GOD must conform to them.*** We actually have the better end of the deal because we can sin, breaking the spiritual law of sin and death, but still be forgiven. (Note that this does not eliminate all consequences of sin!). ***God, however, cannot break any law He has established at any time.***
As it always is in disobedient man, we come in direct conflict with some of these spiritual laws, especially when we sin. An astute Bible student will observe that these laws sometimes create CONDITIONS. In other words, God puts forth a kind of "flow chart" for blessings, cursings and even communication. In countless verses, we see God telling us something like, "IF you do such and such, THEN I will do so and so", or "I will bless you IF, you obey....".
By count, the word "if" appears no less than 1,522 times in scripture. Of course, not all of them describe conditions to be met by us, but many of them do. These conditional verses often use the words "then" and "when" in them. Look for these conditions as you read and study the Word. For purposes of this writing, conditions and limitations are nearly the same thing. There is no way to escape, steer around or circumvent these conditions. ***These conditions and limitations can directly impact our salvation! Our own actions, specifically our sins and iniquities place limitations upon God as far as what He is able to do in our lives. They turn Him away from us and tie His hands so to speak. Despite the limitation sin imposes upon God and the consequences it has for man, God created a way out of this mess- forgiveness, confession of sin and reunion with God through His only son Jesus Christ. Sin creates man-made limitations imposed upon God within the confines of the spiritual laws He created. They come into effect in the every day lives of the non-believer, Christian and in many verses concerning backsliding, limiting what God is able to do for us and with us.*** In one way or another, in some form or another, no matter who you are or what your relationship to God is, the limitations of God will affect your life sometime.
A list of the limitations on God follows. Some of them appear to be very similar to others. Take note of the wording and syntax of each. Some of the limitations MAN places upon God are:
1. HE CANNOT BLESS MANKIND APART FROM US HAVING AND EXERCISING FAITH.
This is basic Christian doctrine. Make no mistake about this- He certainly would like to bless all men freely and liberally if only for our own good and also so that the non-believer might have faith and believe in Him. However, it is clear from scripture that man has his part to play in this co-operation between God and man. Biblically, God is restricted from blessing man unless man:
a. has the faith to receive it
b. places himself in a position to receive it
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "...without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." I can't see God blessing those that DISPLEASE him, can you? That is contrary to God's method of operation concerning interaction with us. James 1:5-8 says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him." V6- "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. V7- "For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." God makes it very clear here: if you want to receive from God you must have faith.
It's widely known in Christian circles that unconfessed and unrepented sin blocks answers to prayer. Well, it also blocks blessings and annointings from God. The best advice I ever heard was: "Stay in a position where God can bless you!" When man strays out of this position or was never in it to begin with, we limit God's ability to bless and interact with us. How many hundreds of times did the agnostic or atheist reject the knowledge of God and His offer of salvation only to later cry out to Him for a miracle healing when his/her father lie dying of a heart attack in the hospital? Having wasted a lifetime of years that could have been spent building the faith necessary to pull in a healing for his father, he curses God when the healing never comes and then blames God for letting him die. ***Faith has specific spiritual guidelines which must be adhered to by BOTH GOD AND MAN.*** When man is obedient and able to be blessed of God it glorifies God! Non-believer: if you won't trust God with your eternal soul, why would He bless you financially, physically or materially?? Why would you ask? That's like getting the cart before the horse. "God, I won't acknowledge that you are real and I won't trust my eternal soul to you, but could you heal my dad? And oh by the way, send me a million dollars too. Thanks." Really? If you believe in Him to ask for special blessings, go ahead and trust Him with your eternal soul!!
2. HE CANNOT CURSE MANKIND IF THEY MEET ALL HIS CONDITIONS AND TERMS.
This is a beneficial limitation of God for mankind. We could classify this limitation as a "Law of opposites". If a spiritual, Godly law truly has an opposite, then it must also be true. If man meets all the conditions put forth by God, then God can never curse that man as long as he continues to meet those terms. 1 Jn. 1:9 tells us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we are therefore saved, forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness, how can a fair and just God punish us?
***Limitations also serve as teaching tools if you let them.*** If you are a Christian reading this and you feel that you are somehow"cursed", it should show you that something in your life is not right; not up to God's expectations in His Word as we measure a life lived in obedience. Despite the limitation sin imposes upon God and the consequences it has for man, God created a way out of this mess- forgiveness, confession of sin and reunion with God through His only son Jesus Christ.
3. HE CANNOT SAVE MEN OR WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO REBEL AGAINST HIM.
This applies to both those who refuse His plan of salvation in the first place and also to those who backslide into that LIFESTYLE of sin. Mt.18:3: "Verily I say unto you, unless ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." ANY wilfull, intentional sin constitutes and act of rebellion against God. All sin must be confessed and forgiven.
Many people know the term free agent from following sports. When a player in professional sports signs on with a team, both sides sign a contract. This is a legal and binding contract in the eyes of the law and the judicial system. The contract lays down the length of service the player is to give to the team as well as the dollar amount the team will pay him; expected behavior of the player, bonuses and benefits of the contract as well as fines and penalties for specific actions detrimental to the team etc... When the contract is signed and witnessed by both parties it becomes legal and binding. The team is obligated to uphold the terms of the contract and the player is bound to that team and that team only. He can't, for instance, march over to the opponents side and play for them if things are going badly for him or the organization he signed with. Contracts can be for any agreed upon duration of time or money. Once the time passes and the contract expires, the player is no longer legally bound to that team or organization. He is a free agent and can talk to or sign a different contract with any team that wants him.
***God created man as a "moral free agent". This means that man is totally free to choose anything and everything he wishes, even to the point of choosing evil. God is severely limited here!*** He follows a strict hands-off policy concerning your choice of whether or not to try to be obedient or to continue to rebel against Him. You can choose to follow Him or reject Him. God plainly states in His Word that disobedience and continued rebellion against Him is sin and the penalty for sin is spiritual death. He tells us to "...choose life" (Deut. 30:19). If you are a Christian and have given your life to God you agreed to a blood contract through Jesus Christ. If you break this contract due to deliberate and willful sin you have broken the contract and God is no longer obligated to uphold His end of it. There is no "once saved always saved" verse in scripture! God is limited in His salvation toward men who continue to rebel against Him and choose to exercise their own freedom of choice. This does not mean that you must get "born-again" again, however. God's grace and mercy and His plan of redemption allow for confession of sin without risking our eternal salvation. On the other hand, if a child of God goes COMPLETELY back into a lifestyle of sin and selfishness, I would not want to presume upon God's grace and mercy to the utmost- they do have limits! If a Christian changes masters he would be wise to know that his soul is in danger again! Man must meet God's conditions for salvation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: MAN-MADE AND SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS OF GOD
MENTAL IMAGE OF GOD
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LAWS OF GOD
14 MAN-MADE LIMITATIONS OF GOD
SINNER'S PRAYER
Section 2: FREE-WILL
GOD'S FREE-WILL
ANGELS FREE-WILL
MAN'S FREE-WILL
14 LIMITATIONS THAT RESTRICT MAN'S ABILITY TO SEE THE EXISTANCE OF GOD
Section 3: 9 MORE LIMITATIONS OF GOD
CONCLUSION
Notes:
1. All scripture is King James Version.
2. When reading the words "man" or "men" you should know that the author refers to ALL mankind, not just the male half. The words man or men therefore include all women and young adults of both sexes who are past the age of accountabilty in God's eyes.
Section 1
MAN-MADE AND SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS OF GOD
There are two kinds of limitations on God:
1. Man-made and
2. God self-imposed
***Most of humanity has failed to realize, indeed failed to LEARN that God has limitations. This failure to learn applies to all peoples: atheists, agnostics, believers of every major and minor religion and also includes Christians. Of all the varous reasons that people world-wide do not believe in God, I know in my heart that limitations on Him are the number one reason. They are also paramount in a Christian's lack of faith when certain prayers are not answered. This in turn can lead to a falling away from God in part or eventually, completely. This lack of closeness to God hinders the believer from becoming all that he or she can be in Christ.*** Many Christians leave the church after two or three years shaking their heads and saying, "Is that all there is? I really thought there would be more." There is more! Going to the right church (a Spirit-filled church) and learning of and accepting the limitations of God lead to a deeper understanding of God and therefore a better relationship to Him.
Most Christians understand, but few non-believers grasp the concept that just because God is all powerful doesn't mean that He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!! ***Receive this: YOUR SIN HINDERS GOD'S ABILITY TO ANSWER PRAYERS, BLESS YOU, ANNOINT YOU OR EVEN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.*** It doesn't take long for God to show us this basic principle. He kicks Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden which separates them from Him, in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. The PHYSICAL separation between Adam and Eve and God represents what happens SPIRITUALLY between God and sinful man. ***If any one doctrine is crystal clear as presented in the Holy Bible it is that sin separates man from God.*** The duration and intensity of this separation however, is up each individual human being. ***Additionally, He has ordained rules and regulations FOR HIMSELF that govern His actions just the same as He created laws and rules for you and I. These are limitations God has placed upon Himself.*** Many of these limits are linked together by common moral, ethical and spiritual laws- the boundaries of which God can never allow Himself to step over. These are boundaries that He CANNOT cross. These are boundaries that He WILL NOT cross. Not crossing these boundaries often-times makes it tough for man to see and interact with God.
MENTAL IMAGE OF GOD
We all retain mental images in our brain. Along with this mental image comes whatever understanding and knowledge we have on the subject. If I say the word "banana" to you, your mind immediately places a picture and mental understanding of it in your consciousness and you know exactly what I am talking about. You know exactly how it looks, smells, feels and tastes. You know that you have to peel it's yellow outer skin back to get at all it's goodness inside. This is your mental image of a banana. A God with limitations doesn't fit very well in our human mental image. The words limitations, boundaries or restrictions don't seem to apply to God; it seems contrary to our human way of thinking to even insinuate that God might be limited. The flaw with mental images is that they are not always accurate; they don't always reflect or relay to us the whole truth. Sports fans carry a mental image of their favorite teams but often see them as alot better than they really are. They may also see their opponents as not quite as good as they truly are. This happens when their emotions get infused into the mental image. Other flaws occur from lack of knowledge, learning and/or understanding. ***If you are a Christian who currently is or has in the past blamed God for anything, you need to be reminded of His limitations or learn of them now. If you are a non-believer reading this, it is intended to reveal the truth about the limitations of God and thus create within your mind a new and accurate mental image of God. It is written to teach you of the truth of God's ability OR INABILITY to interact with a sinful humanity.***
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LAWS OF GOD
In addition to establishing physical laws, such as the laws that govern and run the universe (like gravity, light, heat, cold, nuclear fusion, momentum etc..), God also created all spiritual laws. ***He is MORALLY and LEGALLY BOUND TO HONOR ALL of these laws, so, effectually, BOTH MAN AND GOD must conform to them.*** We actually have the better end of the deal because we can sin, breaking the spiritual law of sin and death, but still be forgiven. (Note that this does not eliminate all consequences of sin!). ***God, however, cannot break any law He has established at any time.***
As it always is in disobedient man, we come in direct conflict with some of these spiritual laws, especially when we sin. An astute Bible student will observe that these laws sometimes create CONDITIONS. In other words, God puts forth a kind of "flow chart" for blessings, cursings and even communication. In countless verses, we see God telling us something like, "IF you do such and such, THEN I will do so and so", or "I will bless you IF, you obey....".
By count, the word "if" appears no less than 1,522 times in scripture. Of course, not all of them describe conditions to be met by us, but many of them do. These conditional verses often use the words "then" and "when" in them. Look for these conditions as you read and study the Word. For purposes of this writing, conditions and limitations are nearly the same thing. There is no way to escape, steer around or circumvent these conditions. ***These conditions and limitations can directly impact our salvation! Our own actions, specifically our sins and iniquities place limitations upon God as far as what He is able to do in our lives. They turn Him away from us and tie His hands so to speak. Despite the limitation sin imposes upon God and the consequences it has for man, God created a way out of this mess- forgiveness, confession of sin and reunion with God through His only son Jesus Christ. Sin creates man-made limitations imposed upon God within the confines of the spiritual laws He created. They come into effect in the every day lives of the non-believer, Christian and in many verses concerning backsliding, limiting what God is able to do for us and with us.*** In one way or another, in some form or another, no matter who you are or what your relationship to God is, the limitations of God will affect your life sometime.
A list of the limitations on God follows. Some of them appear to be very similar to others. Take note of the wording and syntax of each. Some of the limitations MAN places upon God are:
1. HE CANNOT BLESS MANKIND APART FROM US HAVING AND EXERCISING FAITH.
This is basic Christian doctrine. Make no mistake about this- He certainly would like to bless all men freely and liberally if only for our own good and also so that the non-believer might have faith and believe in Him. However, it is clear from scripture that man has his part to play in this co-operation between God and man. Biblically, God is restricted from blessing man unless man:
a. has the faith to receive it
b. places himself in a position to receive it
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "...without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." I can't see God blessing those that DISPLEASE him, can you? That is contrary to God's method of operation concerning interaction with us. James 1:5-8 says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him." V6- "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. V7- "For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." God makes it very clear here: if you want to receive from God you must have faith.
It's widely known in Christian circles that unconfessed and unrepented sin blocks answers to prayer. Well, it also blocks blessings and annointings from God. The best advice I ever heard was: "Stay in a position where God can bless you!" When man strays out of this position or was never in it to begin with, we limit God's ability to bless and interact with us. How many hundreds of times did the agnostic or atheist reject the knowledge of God and His offer of salvation only to later cry out to Him for a miracle healing when his/her father lie dying of a heart attack in the hospital? Having wasted a lifetime of years that could have been spent building the faith necessary to pull in a healing for his father, he curses God when the healing never comes and then blames God for letting him die. ***Faith has specific spiritual guidelines which must be adhered to by BOTH GOD AND MAN.*** When man is obedient and able to be blessed of God it glorifies God! Non-believer: if you won't trust God with your eternal soul, why would He bless you financially, physically or materially?? Why would you ask? That's like getting the cart before the horse. "God, I won't acknowledge that you are real and I won't trust my eternal soul to you, but could you heal my dad? And oh by the way, send me a million dollars too. Thanks." Really? If you believe in Him to ask for special blessings, go ahead and trust Him with your eternal soul!!
2. HE CANNOT CURSE MANKIND IF THEY MEET ALL HIS CONDITIONS AND TERMS.
This is a beneficial limitation of God for mankind. We could classify this limitation as a "Law of opposites". If a spiritual, Godly law truly has an opposite, then it must also be true. If man meets all the conditions put forth by God, then God can never curse that man as long as he continues to meet those terms. 1 Jn. 1:9 tells us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we are therefore saved, forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness, how can a fair and just God punish us?
***Limitations also serve as teaching tools if you let them.*** If you are a Christian reading this and you feel that you are somehow"cursed", it should show you that something in your life is not right; not up to God's expectations in His Word as we measure a life lived in obedience. Despite the limitation sin imposes upon God and the consequences it has for man, God created a way out of this mess- forgiveness, confession of sin and reunion with God through His only son Jesus Christ.
3. HE CANNOT SAVE MEN OR WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO REBEL AGAINST HIM.
This applies to both those who refuse His plan of salvation in the first place and also to those who backslide into that LIFESTYLE of sin. Mt.18:3: "Verily I say unto you, unless ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." ANY wilfull, intentional sin constitutes and act of rebellion against God. All sin must be confessed and forgiven.
Many people know the term free agent from following sports. When a player in professional sports signs on with a team, both sides sign a contract. This is a legal and binding contract in the eyes of the law and the judicial system. The contract lays down the length of service the player is to give to the team as well as the dollar amount the team will pay him; expected behavior of the player, bonuses and benefits of the contract as well as fines and penalties for specific actions detrimental to the team etc... When the contract is signed and witnessed by both parties it becomes legal and binding. The team is obligated to uphold the terms of the contract and the player is bound to that team and that team only. He can't, for instance, march over to the opponents side and play for them if things are going badly for him or the organization he signed with. Contracts can be for any agreed upon duration of time or money. Once the time passes and the contract expires, the player is no longer legally bound to that team or organization. He is a free agent and can talk to or sign a different contract with any team that wants him.
***God created man as a "moral free agent". This means that man is totally free to choose anything and everything he wishes, even to the point of choosing evil. God is severely limited here!*** He follows a strict hands-off policy concerning your choice of whether or not to try to be obedient or to continue to rebel against Him. You can choose to follow Him or reject Him. God plainly states in His Word that disobedience and continued rebellion against Him is sin and the penalty for sin is spiritual death. He tells us to "...choose life" (Deut. 30:19). If you are a Christian and have given your life to God you agreed to a blood contract through Jesus Christ. If you break this contract due to deliberate and willful sin you have broken the contract and God is no longer obligated to uphold His end of it. There is no "once saved always saved" verse in scripture! God is limited in His salvation toward men who continue to rebel against Him and choose to exercise their own freedom of choice. This does not mean that you must get "born-again" again, however. God's grace and mercy and His plan of redemption allow for confession of sin without risking our eternal salvation. On the other hand, if a child of God goes COMPLETELY back into a lifestyle of sin and selfishness, I would not want to presume upon God's grace and mercy to the utmost- they do have limits! If a Christian changes masters he would be wise to know that his soul is in danger again! Man must meet God's conditions for salvation.
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