Is there anything God cannot do?
Is There Anything God Cannot Do?
A Theological Study of Divine Inability and Perfection
At first glance, the idea that God cannot do something might sound like a denial of His omnipotence. However, biblical theology affirms that God is all-powerful, yet His power is always exercised in perfect harmony with His holy nature. Therefore, the things that God cannot do are not due to weakness, but rather because they would contradict His own character. God's "inability" is in fact a display of His moral perfection, consistency, and self-sufficiency.
1. The Bible Affirms God's Unlimited Power
Throughout Scripture, God's omnipotence—His infinite power—is plainly taught.
Genesis chapter 18, verse 14:
"Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
This rhetorical question, spoken to Abraham regarding the miraculous birth of Isaac, establishes a fundamental principle: God can do all that He wills.
Numbers chapter 11, verse 23:
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.'"
God rebukes Moses for questioning His ability to provide meat for the Israelites in the wilderness. The "arm" of the Lord is never limited.
Jeremiah chapter 32, verse 17:
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."
Creation itself testifies to God’s absolute creative power. The visible universe stands as a monument to His unlimited strength and sovereign design.
2. God Cannot Contradict His Own Nature
Though God's power is unlimited, it is never arbitrary or self-contradictory. God cannot do things that violate His essence, nor can He act in ways that are logically absurd or morally evil.
a. God Cannot Lie
Titus chapter 1, verse 2:
"In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began."
b. God Cannot Sin
First Peter chapter 1, verse 16:
"Because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"
Isaiah chapter 6, verse 3:
"And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!'"
God’s holiness is unchanging and intrinsic. Therefore, sin is utterly incompatible with His being.
c. God Cannot Deny Himself
Second Timothy chapter 2, verse 13:
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself."
God's faithfulness is not conditional. He is eternally consistent and cannot cease to be what He is.
3. God Cannot Act Unjustly or Ignore Sin
The justice of God is perfect. He cannot overlook or excuse sin apart from atonement, and He never executes judgment unjustly.
Romans chapter 3, verse 26:
"To demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
In salvation, God did not suspend His justice; He satisfied it at the cross through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. Isaiah chapter 53, verses 4 through 6 explains:
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
4. God's Omnipotence Does Not Include Absurdities
Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it? Can He make a square circle? These questions are not meaningful theological problems—they are nonsensical. They are logical contradictions, not limitations of divine power.
God, who is truth and logic itself (John chapter 14, verse 6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life"), does not act contrary to His own nature. He is not absurd, nor is He bound by irrationality.
5. God's Love and Power Displayed in Redemption
God’s omnipotence is not just theoretical—it is practically displayed in love. He uses His unmatched power not to destroy, but to redeem.
John chapter 3, verse 16:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Romans chapter 5, verses 6 through 8:
"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
God’s greatest demonstration of power was not in merely creating the universe but in conquering sin and death at the cross and empty tomb.
6. Our Response to an All-Powerful but Morally Perfect God
Because God's power is united with perfect righteousness, unchanging love, and infinite wisdom, we are not only called to worship Him but also to trust Him completely.
Psalm chapter 46, verse 1:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
When crises arise, when fears mount, we can rest in His ability and goodness. He is not like man—He never fails.
Conclusion: There Are Things God Cannot Do—Because He Is God
Yes, there are things God cannot do:
He cannot lie.
He cannot sin.
He cannot cease to be God.
He cannot act contrary to His nature.
He cannot do what is logically incoherent.
And these are not limitations but rather perfections. God's “inabilities” are essential to His greatness.
Hebrews chapter 6, verse 18:
"That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us."
The God who cannot fail, cannot lie, and cannot sin is also the God who cannot stop loving His children and cannot break His promises. That is the foundation of our assurance.
Let us trust Him, serve Him, and praise Him—not because there is nothing He cannot do, but because He is infinitely perfect in all He does.
