"THEOLOGY FOR THE PEOPLE."
VII. OMNIPOTENCE.
The Rev. Joseph Clark, preaching j at the Tabernacle, from Psalm lix. lj>> 17; Psalm lxii. 11, 12; Key. xi. 17; Rev. xix. 6, said:— "I quote several texts to show that in the Old and New Testaments Divine Omnipotence is freely spoken of. Omnipotence is an attribute of the Deity, of God alone. It is essential to His nature as an infinite, independent, and perfect Being, it is that power of God that makes effective all the. other attributes He posBesses. It is the basis of all things, and without it terrible consequences would, have followed. At creation, instead of order, the greatest confusion must have ensued. But God is not simply Omnipotent. See how mercy is linked with it. In the j Psalms we have quoted we find 'power and mercy.' He is a God of Power and Father of Mercies. Power belongeth unto God. This is an inspir-1 ing and awe-producing thought. He. is the source of all power and the fountain of all mercy. The union of these two attributes is the constant language of the Scriptures. Some men have dwelt much upon Gods goodness and love, as though He possessed no ot ( her qualities. There have been in the world comparatively few men who have been levelheaded and just.enough to give a properly balanced idea of Gods powers as revealed in His Word. We read in various passages of the omnipotence of God in the person of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. To know God only as infinite love and wisdom is to have a meagre idea of His greatness, and affords us but little comfort. Love and wisdom are insufficient to support my soul and stay my heart in the day of trouble and perplexity, but when I know that He is the God of infinite power, then I know that He is able to keep me as the apple of His eye. See you not the importance of this doctrine— how much our present comfort and future felicity depend upon it? Some men have absurdly striven to limit omnipotence. They have said that God in virtue of His absolute purity and rectitude cannot act wrongly and unwisely. God cannot, do they say? We detest that word 'cannot' when applied to the Deity. Say that He will not, Again, because God has restrained some of His power to curb Satan, men have said that omnipotence is limited. This is an absurdity, for if so it would cease to be omnipotence. There is.-not a power existing that can set Gods at defiance. But He has power over His own power. Do you know what constitutes a great man-self control power over his own powers, bo has God refrained from using what He mio-ht use. What could hinder Him from sweeping off the face of creation those who rebel against Him? His mercy rather than His omnipotence is used for the welfare of the rebel soul. Omnipotence can do all things. By it He performs natural wonders. We see it in creation, in the blade of grass and the giant kauri, in the little fly and sparrow, and in the mightiest creatures. The minute and the vast are products of His power. We see it also m spiritual wonders. In redemption omnipotence shines triumphant. Supposing that God were not omnipotent, what security would you have, beloved, for your soul? His infinite love has planned your salvation. His infinite power secures it, too; and there is io power in man or devil that can rob thee of thy birthright in the Lord Jesus Christ. What consolation have you when your hearts are broken and rent in twain if you have not an all-powerful God? To doubt it is to dishonour and to displease God Did He not take Moses and Zaccharias to task for queshomng His power. This doctrine of omnipotence is dreaded by the wrongdoer but the believer delights mi it. In one of our texts the Psalmist says, 'I will sing of thy power.' It does not daunt Him. Let us take up the strain of the 19th ol Revelation, 'Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!" He who has pledged Himself by His power to secure for uu the blessing of eternal life.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18990828.2.4.1
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 203, 28 August 1899, Page 2
Word Count
720"THEOLOGY FOR THE PEOPLE." Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 203, 28 August 1899, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.