IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

The law is only a shadow of the good things to come – not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10: 1-4).

We often think that, because God is God, there is nothing impossible with Him. In one sense it is true, but in another sense, it is not true because God will never contradict His own being. There are many things that are impossible for man to do which God can do, but there are many things that man can do, simply because man in sinful, which God cannot do. Hallelujah!

What can God not do?

1. God cannot lie. He is the embodiment of all truth. What He says, He will carry out, be it for our blessing or for judgment. God’s judgment, even though it is delayed because of His mercy, is just as sure as His promises.

When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will arraign you and set my accusations before you (Psa. 50: 21).

2. God cannot be unfaithful. He is utterly steadfast. He is as sure and immovable as a rock. He is trustworthy and dependable. Unlike humans who are fickle and changeable, God remains steadfastly the same. Unlike the gods who are capricious and unpredictable, God always acts within the framework of His own nature.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself (2 Tim. 2: 13).

3. God cannot reject a repentant sinner. It is His nature to have mercy, and He longs for His wayward sons and daughters to return to Him. He takes no delight in the death of anyone. Jesus gave His life for the sin of the world, not just for the sin of the elect. He issues an open invitation to “whoever”. He assures us:

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away (John 6: 37).

4. God cannot not love. God is love. The essence of His being is to love. He is true to Himself when He loves. God shows His love by acting. To His wayward people, through the prophet Jeremiah, He declared:

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ (Jer. 31: 3).

5. God cannot grow weary. God does not need to rest. Though he rested on the seventh day after creation, it was not a rest of weariness but of completion. He rested when His work was done. Jesus rested for three days in the grave because He had completed the work of redemption.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom (Isa. 40: 28).

6. God cannot sleep. He does not need sleep. God is always watching over His work and His word. He keeps watch over His people. Nothing can slip past His vigilance because He is steering His creation towards His desired end.

He will not let your foot slip – for He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psa. 121: 3-4).

7. God cannot be unjust. It is His nature to be perfectly just, always. Though people think they can get away with what they do because He seems not to notice or not to care, we can be assured that He will act to bring justice, even after the end of time. There are no favourites with God either.

And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? (Luke 18: 7).

8. God cannot change. Neither time nor age can change God. He is timeless and consistent.

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1: 17).

Therefore, because of who God is, He cannot justify the sinner on the basis of animal blood. Just as it is impossible for God to act outside of who He is, so it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Sin can only be atoned for by the blood of the sinner – or by the blood of a sinless human whose blood is shed as a substitute for the sinner. Jesus was the perfect substitute for us.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53: 5-6).

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.