Can the Lord do everything? 1. Introduction “Can the Lord do everything?” is a frequently posed question that resonates throughout diverse cultures and generations. At its heart, this question explores the nature of God’s power, authority, and willingness. In light of recorded Scripture, God’s omnipotence is displayed both in creation and throughout recorded events in biblical history. From parting seas (Exodus 14) to raising the dead (Luke 7:11–17), Scripture provides consistent testimony to an all-powerful Lord. Yet many inquire whether divine omnipotence includes unholy actions, contradictions, or logical impossibilities. This entry outlines the breadth of biblical teaching that God possesses limitless power to accomplish His good purposes, displaying sovereignty while maintaining holiness, truthfulness, and consistency with His own character. 2. Scriptural Foundations of Divine Omnipotence The theme of divine omnipotence permeates both Old and New Testaments. The rhetorical question posed in Jeremiah 32:27 — “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” — underscores both God’s boundless capability and His sovereign will to accomplish what He determines. Similarly, the New Testament affirms this truth in Luke 1:37: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Likewise, in Matthew 19:26, Jesus states, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” These statements form a consistent portrait: the Lord exercises complete power over creation and history. 3. Examples of Divine Power in Action 3.1 Creation of the Universe Scripture points uniquely to God as sole Creator. Genesis 1:1 simply declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” One finds in subsequent verses that God speaks creation into existence (Genesis 1:3–29), affirming His capacity to call forth life and order from nothing. Archaeological examinations of ancient Near Eastern texts confirm the distinctiveness of the biblical record: whereas neighboring cultures describe multiple gods battling chaotic forces, the biblical depiction stands out in its simple yet profound assertion that the one true Lord is responsible for all creation. 3.2 Deliverance and Miraculous Signs Historical records and geographical studies of the region corresponding to ancient Egypt and the Sinai wilderness provide corroboration for Exodus narratives. Scripture testifies that when the Israelites were cornered against the Red Sea, the Lord parted the waters as recorded in Exodus 14:21–22, allowing them to pass through on dry ground. Whether in battles, plagues, or guidance through wilderness journeys, the Lord accomplished what no human could. 3.3 Resurrection Power The ultimate demonstration of divine power is the resurrection of Christ. As stated in Acts 2:24: “But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death.” Scriptural accounts and cross-referenced historical sources from early church writers consistently uphold the resurrection as a factual event. The message is clear: even death yields to God’s limitless authority. 4. Reconciling “All-Powerful” with “All-Good” Certain passages clarify that while God is all-powerful, His character is perfectly holy and incapable of evil (James 1:13). Titus 1:2 implies that God “cannot lie,” demonstrating that the Lord’s capacity to “do everything” does not extend into moral contradiction or untruth. He remains consistent with His nature. Furthermore, whenever Scripture describes something God “cannot” do (e.g., sin, cease to be God, or break His covenant promises), the Bible is not describing a deficiency in divine power. Instead, it highlights that God’s infinite power operates in perfect harmony with His righteous character. 5. Philosophical and Behavioral Reflections Philosophically, if an omnipotent being existed who could also perform contradictions or immorality, there would be no reliable basis for truth or goodness. Instead, a consistently righteous and omnipotent God offers the ultimate foundation for moral law and rational coherence. Behaviorally, this truth has profound implications: belief in a God who can accomplish all that aligns with holiness invites trust, repentance, and hope. People draw encouragement from passages emphasizing God’s unchanging, omnipotent nature, such as Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Because He is unchanging in power and purpose, His promises can be trusted. 6. Archaeological and Manuscript Corroborations Research in the field of biblical manuscripts has uncovered consistent, ancient textual witnesses, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which confirm that passages proclaiming God’s omnipotence have been preserved with remarkable faithfulness over centuries. Archaeological findings throughout the Middle East, such as inscriptions referencing ancient tribes or cities mentioned in Scripture (e.g., the Moabite Stone, references to the House of David, or records from Assyrian kings), lend support to the historical backdrop in which these events of divine power are said to have occurred. The textual fidelity—seen in the earliest fragments and cross-verified among thousands of ancient manuscripts—further underscores Scripture’s reliability, supporting the claim that these portrayals of God’s unlimited power remain intact from their earliest form. 7. Conclusions Biblically and historically, the testimony is consistent and clear: the Lord can do everything that aligns with His perfect, holy character and sovereign will. He reveals this power in creation, miracles recorded in Scripture, the ultimate demonstration of Christ’s resurrection, and His ongoing sustenance of the universe. For readers seeking assurance, these truths portray a God who is utterly faithful and able to carry out His purposes. In daily life, this belief can instill courage and peace, reminding believers that the same Lord who created the cosmos and overcame death is intimately interested in offering help, salvation, and hope. Ultimately, Scripture invites readers to accept that “the LORD is great and highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). This Lord does whatever He wills in heaven and on earth, making full use of His limitless might in complete consistency with His good and perfect nature. |
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