God Has Limitations

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (KJV)
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.

God is limited…makes you wonder how, doesn’t it?

First, however, let’s talk about the power of God… power to deliver – power to raise up – power fulfill – power to save – power to heal – in fact, ALL POWER BELONGS TO HIM IN HEAVEN AND EARTH!

As well, God uses small things… a rod in Egypt… a jaw-bone to defeat the enemy… five smooth stones and a shepherd boy… a handful of flour and some oil… a cloud the size of a man’s hand… mustard seed faith… five loaves and two fishes… However, with all this power, God is limited!

1) By His nature, 2) By His Word, and 3) By His creation.

God’s Nature limits Him…

He is limited by the fact that He cannot fail…

Human nature is prone to failure, and often, BUT GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!

God CANNOT make a mistake! He is in control. His Nature limits Him from making mistakes!

Psalm 37:25 (KJV)
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

God’s Word limits Him…

God cannot lie! His Word is Truth! He is bound by His Word!

Some say, “God said it, I believe it; that settles it.” The fact of the matter is this, “God said it, that settles it – whether you believe it or not!”

John 14:6 (KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life…

John 16:33 (KJV)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

God is just! His Word binds Him, and He will do right by you. Society will fail you – politicians will fail you – family members will fail you – friends will betray you – leaders of all walks are prone to being unjust…BUT GOD…

God will never be unjust to you! God is righteous and holy!

Asaph wondered if God really was just. He assumed that because the wicked seemed to succeed that God had failed in some way. However, Asaph went into the Sanctuary of God and then he realized that God was not unjust because he stated these words…

Psalm 73:17 (KJV)
…Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Human beings limit God…

I realize that it is hard to comprehend how human beings can limit such a powerful God. How can the creation have that much influence over the Creator? Let me explain…

1) Unbelief limits God

Psalm 78:41 (KJV)
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Unbelief kept a chosen people, full of the promises of God on the wrong side of the Jordan River! Unbelief literally caused the death of those that were over 20 years old!

Hebrews 3:17-4:2 (KJV)
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? [19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [4:1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. [2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Matthew 13:58 (KJV)
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

What is most tragic about Matthew 13:58 is that in the next city, Capernaum, Jesus healed ALL that were sick! The difference between Capernaum and Nazareth was unbelief!

2) Not giving limits God

Malachi 3:8-11 declare that there are blessings if you give and curse if you don’t! That is the Word of God.

When the widow gave her two mites, Jesus recognized her gift as the greatest gift because she had given sacrificially, not from abundance. Therefore, her giving un-limited God to recognize her gift and bless her accordingly.

God watches how we give and blesses us accordingly… He judges what we give by how much we keep…

Luke 6:38 (KJV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

3) Un-forgiveness limits God

If you choose not to forgive someone, you in fact limit God from forgiving you…

Matthew 18:23-35 (KJV)
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. [29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. [31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. [32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: [33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? [34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Forgiving is NOT for the good of the offender, it is for the good of the one forgiving! By not forgiving, I limit God’s mercy to me, and heap upon my head any and all of my sins against God.

Sometimes we feel powerless due to a past sin or weight that we carry around.

The accuser of the brethren has a very sneaky way of condemning us and causing us to feel unworthy!

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Not only do I like the last part of verse 20 – the power that worketh in us…but I also like the first part of verse 21 because it places the glory where it belongs = GOD!

You are not too young or too old… YOU ARE JUST RIGHT! God doesn’t make mistakes, and when He chose you, He knew what He was doing!

The world is filled with people who need what you have to give – sometimes we allow feelings of inadequacy to defeat us; BUT we serve a God that makes imperfect, yet faithful people adequate to share His message of love. REMEMBER that God wants to use you today!

The devil looks at your past and declares you’re not worthy… Jesus looks at His Cross and declares, “I AM, and they are forgiven!”

The devil looks at the mistakes you’ve made…Jesus turns mistakes into miracles! The devil causes turmoil in your life…Jesus gives you a testimony!

Sure there are lot’s of reasons why God shouldn’t have called and qualified us, BUT if we are wholeheartedly in love with Him; if we hunger for Him more than our next breath – THEN He will use is in spite of who we are, where we’ve been or what we look like! I pray that as true Apostolic Christians, we will step out of our limitations into the illimitable Nature of who God is! THEN our passion to share faith, hope and love will make mincemeat of our limitations!

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Today, realize that YOU CAN do all things through Christ…

Lay aside your limitations and excuses and begin declaring God’s purpose in and through our lives!