Practical Blurb on the Doctrine of Omnipotence

John Frame writes this about God's omnipotence: "All the controversy about omnipotence may distract us from the actual purposes of God in revealing his power to his people. God does not reveal his omnipotence merely so that we can engage in philosophical speculation on what he can or cannot do. As with all his revelation, God wants the doctrine of omnipotence to edify his people (2 Tim. 3:16-17)...God's power drives his people to worship. It also warns us against governing our lives by our own expectations of what is possible, leaving God out of the account."

As I work my way through the Old Testament, I am finding multiple imperatives for parents to continuously tell their children about the power of God in delivering them out of Egypt. If the Exodus event does not show us God's omnipotence (among many other things), I don't know what does. To live in light of the Exodus event one is sure to be asked questions.

Because of this attribute, the people of God were/are encouraged to live radically - to live differently than all other human beings. When a person believes in God who is all-powerful, his or her life is lived in such way that it begs questions like, How can you give that sacrificially? How can you live so honestly? Why do you not spend like everyone else? How can you rest in a time like this?

The biblical and experiential answer always follows that our God is powerful enough to part seas, bring and stop plagues, conquer armies, make old people and virgins have babies, create with just a word, save people like me, and raise the dead. It is not uncommon for God's command to lead his people into seemingly impossible situations. And when his people obey, they are continually reminded that he is not only powerful to do what is impossible for man, but he is faithful to bring about his good purposes through those historical situations.

Given this truth, we should always be reluctant to resist obedience because of our logical conclusions of what the future may hold for us if we do - conclusions like, "If I tell the truth, she will reject me." or, "If I obey God's call, my wife and children will be harmed." Given this truth, on the other hand, we should always be encouraged to worship, trust and, obey, no matter what the command. His grace is always sufficient and his power is always enough to bring about the redemption of his own.