Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2 Cor. 4:7-18, Communicable Attributes (15, Omnipotence)

Let’s move to the NT as we continue to think of God’s omnipotence.

Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.  Step out on a clear night and check out the stars.  Either you say, “wow, the Creator must be mega-powerful to have made what I see;” or you say, “nobody could make what I see; there must have been an explosion.”  God’s omnipotence is one thing we learn from “general revelation.”

Eph. 1:19-21 … and what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis) toward us who believe, according to the working (energeo, the energy that flows) of His mighty (kratos) power (ischus) 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  God’s omnipotence is seen in what He did for His Son in fulfilling His promise (Ps. 2:6-9), but it is also seen in the Son as well who is over all other powers.

Eph. 6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong (dunamis) in the Lord and in the power (kratos) of His might (ischus).  In terms of the believer be strengthened by God’s power, Paul loves to use a variety of terms.  The Greek, of course, has a certain precision which makes word studies of great value.  Look at these words, remembering that they are in the context of our fight against principalities and power and spiritual forces.  What we need is dunamis, ability to fight.  We need to be sure that our ability is not from the flesh (the best we can do) but that it is the Lord’s “kratos” which, in the NT, is primarily used of God.  It is His manifested power or might (see it’s use in Eph. 1:19 above), which shows up in His “ischus,” which refers to the force of His ability.  Thus, our ability, which is not worth much, needs to be empowered by His ability which is very powerful.  Col. 1:11 says the same, that we are strengthened (dunamis) with all might (dunamis), according to His glorious power (kratos).  God’s omnipotence is available to believers.  We have omnipotent ability to fight the spiritual battle as we put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11).

May I just note that the evolutionary approach to earthly things depends on weakness. That is why it takes billions of years to move along.  Every time some new aspect of humanity is discovered it adds millions of more years to the process because there is no strength in evolution.  Furthermore, in evolution, you are what you are.  If you are stronger than other men you might achieve something the world considers valuable.  But it still leaves you incredibly weak when it comes to beating death.  At some point you will lose, and evolution has nothing to offer beyond that moment.

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