How do we define God? Better said, how can we define the attributes of God? Ah much better. The acceptable term for defining the attributes of God is Metaphysical. It’s that part of reality in which there is nothing comparable. The human mind and our descriptive terminology are completely inadequate to box it up. Sometimes we use the word omni in an attempt to get our arms around his attributes. It is a feeble attempt to describe the infinity of God. The word “infinite” conveys the absence of all limitations. There is nothing beyond God’s compass. He is immeasurable. There is absolutely no limit to his greatness. Once Rowland Hill was trying to express the greatness of God, suddenly he stopped and raised his eyes towards heaven. He exclaimed, “I am unable to reach this lofty theme! Yet I do not think the smallest fish in the ocean ever complains of the ocean’s vastness. So it is with me. With my puny powers I can plunge with delight into a subject the immensity of which I shall never be able to comprehend.” Paul said it this way, “Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.”
OMNIPRESENCE (everywhere present)
The word omnipresence does not occur in the Bible but the fact that God is everywhere is taught and presupposed throughout. No concept of God (attribute) is more difficult for man to grasp than this- that God is everywhere at the same time. God is not limited by time or space. Paul declared while in Athens that God “is not far from any of us.” He is just as near to a man on the other side of the earth as he is to you. If we pray, God is here to act on our behalf. But if at the same moment a man in China is praying for God to help him, God does not have to move from here to there to answer his prayer. He is already there at the same time he is here. God completely inhabits his creation! There is no place in the universe where you could be and be any nearer to God than you are at this very moment. If you were shot into the heavens and landed at the International Space Station you would be no nearer to Jehovah than you are on earth. Some have thought of God as being far removed with his residence up in the blue, but God is everywhere and can be approached anywhere.
Of course, God is not present in the same sense in every creature, nor is he present everywhere in the same manner. For instance, two persons may be near each other physically but far apart in sympathy. Two may be far apart geographically but close together in love. So, one may be far from God spiritually. But coming near to God does not require a pilgrimage but penitence, humility, obedience. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. To approach him means to become more like him. If you don’t “feel” close to God it’s probably because you are becoming less like him.
“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? says the Lord. Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee….”
To Be Continued. (next issue: Omniscience and Omnipotence)
Charlie