God of Impossibilities

To say that nothing impossible to God is an unfathomable distinction for us to comprehend.  But this is exactly the statement made throughout Scripture, of particular importance is Jesus saying it Himself (Matt 19:26).  While as an assertion it is logical and coherent, we struggle against the very tensile limits of language and thought to grasp its fullness and meaning.

The classical argument against runs something like this: 'can God create an object so large that He Himself cannot move it?"

While it may seem at first glance that this question has, in a sense, put God in a logical box that He cannot escape, I assure you that this question betrays itself.  Let me explain.

When we, as humans, think of possibilities we, because of our nature, are forced to think of it in terms of limitations.  In fact, our whole world is defined by limits.  After all, how would I be able to write this coherently if not for the limits of the english language; or how would I know that I am not the person next to me if not for the spatial limitations of my body (the list goes on and on).  These can be limitations of engineering, of language, of creativity, of resource, et al.  Because of this, we cannot fully fathom anything at all that is not defined by limit.

But God does not in any sense whatsoever possess limitations akin to our own.  His limitations are not based upon anything other than His own character.  For instance, He cannot do something unholy.  This is not a limitation but is the very essence of perfection, because when something is perfect it cannot at anytime or in anyway do or possess any imperfection.

In reference to the question about creating a giant object, we must recognize that not only does God not create in the same way as us (He creates by the very power of His word), but also He is never constrained to potentiality.  This is to say that God does not deal in that which may or may not be.  He is the ultimate reality; therefore, everything He does is.  He speaks and it occurs.  There are no constraining limitations to this method.  So in a real sense, the realest sense, nothing is impossible for God.

However, a small disclaimer must be asserted for fear of misunderstandings.  Although there is nothing impossible for God, in one sense there is a limit to what is possible.  That limit is, quite frankly, His very nature and character.  Because He is God, He is restricted to be God.  He cannot, as it were, do or be anything other than God in character and in nature.

We implicitly know this.  That is why the incarnation can be such a difficult thing for us to grasp.  But it is also this fact that makes the incarnation both a necessity as well as a true statement to the utter depths of God's love for us.  It shows us how far He was willing to go to vanquish sin from this world.  Jesus, the Son of God Himself incarnate, emptied Himself of His eternal power as he condescended to the form of a servant and a creature, and by His own volition was killed on our behalf so as to save mankind from the eternally destructive force of sin.

In the end, all we can say is: Amen!  And praise be to God!!!