We so often hear and talk about the power and sovereignty of God, and about the things He is able or capable to do, but do you know that there are some things God cannot do? Before you think I am about to write something heretical, these things as you imagined are things that are inconsistent with his character and incompatible with his nature. For example:
It is impossible for God to lie
I am sure you have met, either in your family or among your friends, people who are not trustworthy when it comes to what they say. They promise you that they will do something, but never deliver on their promises. God is not like that – He means what he says and says what he means. The scripture says it is impossible for him to lie. What that means is that you can depend on his every word and trust in his promises.
It is impossible for God to be unfaithful
It is his nature to be faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself. This verse is a reminder of God’s preserving power and faithfulness. He is faithful to his word and promises. He’ s committed to the end. He will never abandon us for any reason. He will relentlessly pursue us until we die, even if we consistently refuse him.
It is impossible for God to refuse anyone who comes to him in faith
There is hope for the sinner. There is room in his heart and at the cross for the vilest of sinner. There is nothing in the world you can do that God cannot forgive. All day long, the scripture says, his hand is extended – wide open for you to come. And when you do turn to him in faith – “He will in no wise cast you out.” John 6:37
It is impossible for God to not love.
God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. I love the way Jeremiah puts in 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” This love he has for us never fails, never ceases. On and on it goes.
It is impossible for God to sleep
I think this point will make for a good debate or an interesting study. But the point I want to make here is far from just a theological debate. Psalm 121:2-3 says, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Check out the many times the word “keep” is mentioned (to keep, guard, watch over, and attend to carefully). The point here is that the Lord is your keeper at all times; he will neither slumber nor sleep. Not only is God all-powerful (Ps. 121:2), he is ever-watchful
It is impossible for God to be unjust
Jeremiah 17:10 says, “God searches the heart and tests the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” He is just, impartial and pure in his judgments. You can expect to be treated fairly in everything pertaining to things in this life and the one to come. He will judge our secret sins and everything good and bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
It is impossible for God to change
He is the same yesterday, today and forever… I love the way James put it in 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Always faithful, always loving, always kind, always good, always holy, always just – always father.
Walter Bright 
Reblogged this on TAG Church.
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it is impossible for God to fail…
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This is such a cool post!
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Hey Carolyn, you are a blessing!
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Great post Walter, I agree (and more importantly the Bible agrees) with everything you wrote.
How do you answer someone who comes with the following verse and says that God really can change?
“So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people,” (Exodus 32:14, NASB).
There are also a few more verse like this one. What is a good apologetic way to answer these folks?
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hahahaha, that is a very interesting verse. I am sure you could come up with a better explanation, but let me step out on a limb here. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I think “the Lord changing his mind” is still consistent with his character and nature. It doesn’t say he himself changed, but he changed his mind. Which means he decided to forgive, pardon and not bring destruction to those he was about to bring destruction upon. To forgive is consistent with his character and nature, which by the way, I think is what is meant here. Some other translation says, “He repented” and makes it a little bit more confusing. Does God repent? Of what does he repent. The word might be a little misleading for new believers. But we understand the meaning to be – he wanted to bring judgment but turned away from bringing judgment. This is consistent with his character and nature – to forgive.
God is love, but God is also just. The love of God does not cancel the justice of God. He will punish or bring judgment upon the sinner, but in his mercy or love he has the right to pardon the sinner and completely wipe away their sins – just like he did for us by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We disobeyed, we deserved to die, but his mercy, grace and love moved him to redeem us.
I hope that helpes – please feel free to adjust, correct and add to my comment.
Thanks for the question!
walter
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Great answer. God’s intervention is stated in terms we as humans can understand, it absolutely has nothing to do with any change in His character or attributes.
Thanks!
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Great post! My six year old was asking about what God can’t do today, so this will be very useful!
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out of the mouths of babes en… when kids that age ask questions, they can be very simple but yet very profound. I am glad my little post can help. Stay blessed Alison.
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