Page 25 - Bible Doctrines II w videos short

There is a danger especially when we begin to say that evil events are happening according to the will of
God. God takes no pleasure in evil (Ezek. 33:11) even though sometimes, He uses evil for His good
purposes. Another danger is that we might begin to blame God for sin, rather than ourselves. Or we
might deny our responsibility for evil actions.

Freedom
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This attribute means “God doing whatever” He pleases. The psalmist says that “ Our God is in heaven
and does whatever he pleases” (Psa. 115:3 [CSB]). On God’s freedom, earthly rulers are not able to stop
God and successfully oppose His will because “A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses” (Prov. 21:1 [CSB]). Man’s freedom to do things is different from
God’s freedom to do things because when man is allowed to do things freely, there are always mistakes.
The book of Judges teaches us that when everyone was doing whatever was fit in the eyes, almost
everyone did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD. God’s freedom is different because it is perfect. His
freedom works in a way consistent with His character. We can imitate God’s freedom by making our
decisions that honors God’s Word. The decisions that honors the Word of God usually strengthens
peace and joy in us.

Omnipotence (Power, Sovereignty)
This means that “God is able to do all his holy will. The word omnipotence is derived from two Latin
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words, omni, “all,” and potens, “powerful,” and means all-powerful.” The psalmist says that “ Who is
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this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle” (Psa. 24:8 [CSB]). Moses says,
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“ Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a
year she will have a son” (Gen. 18:14; cf. Jer. 32:27 [CSB]). Nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jer. 32:17).
In the New Testament, Paul states that “ Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we
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ask or think according to the power that works in us— to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 [CSB]). It is clear that the passages above
speak of God being infinitely powerful. However, there are some things that God cannot do. He cannot
will or do anything against His own character. For example, God the Father can never lie (Titus 1:2; cf.
Heb. 6:18). God the Father cannot be tempted with evil and He Himself tempts no one (Jas. 1:13). So,
God the Father cannot deny Himself, lie, sin, or be tempted by evil nor temp anyone. As a result, it is not
true to state that God can do anything. He can do anything in accordance with His character.

We can to some limited level imitate His omnipotence by bringing “results, both physical power and
other kinds of power: mental power, spiritual power, persuasive power, and power in various kinds of
authority structures (family, church, civil government, and so forth).”
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Summary Attributes.

Perfection
This attribute means that “God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any
qualities that would be desirable for” Him.” Jesus says that “ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
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Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48 [CSB]). David says, “ God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is
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pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him” (Psa. 18:30; cf. Deut. 32:4 [CSB]).

We can imitate this attribute by striving for perfection as commanded in the Scriptures.

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