Oops! I didn’t mean for that to happen.” God doesn’t accidentally slip up or mess up. He won’t let you down. Even when things seem like they aren’t working out quite right, God is always at work for good. He takes the most messed up, broken things and makes good from them. God is not waiting to see if you can get out of the mess you are in or wondering how your life might turn out. He is working to extend grace and mercy for you. Let us be grateful and praise God for Who He is and What He is… a God of loving care, compassion, and forgiveness. Aren’t you glad our God has limited Himself in these ways? He has set us the example and opened the way before us to follow in His steps. It is because God cannot do these things that we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). [To verify, compare Psalm 90:2,4; Psalm 102:27; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; and Revelation 1:8.] God is absolutely committed and resolute about His plan for man. Aren’t you grateful that God does not change your world randomly or change His mind about your calling and salvation? 3. God cannot break a promise. If no one has ever ruined that song for you before, then, I’m sorry—but it gets worse. We might be used to singing that there’s nothing that God cannot do and shouting, “That’s true”. Except, well... it’s not exactly true. And it’s good that it’s not true—because the God who can’t do things is much greater than the God who is genuinely capable of anything. But wait, isn’t God “all-powerful”? The book ends by explaining how God can’t die while also showcasing the mystery of the cross. We see how Jesus was tempted yet without sin, and this gives confidence to Christians as we pursue sanctification in our everyday life. And because God cannot disown himself, we can be sure that God will not abandon us – those who are in Christ.

In each of those cases, my inability to learn came from my limitations. But when we say that God can’t learn, it’s not for any of those reasons. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). [See also Numbers 14:11; John 3:18 John 8:24; Hebrews 3:12, 18–19; Hebrews 11:1; and Revelation 21:12.] Aren’t you humbled that you can be counted worthy and be added to God’s faith “hall of fame” through Jesus Christ? 10. God’s church cannot be destroyed. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Psalm 89:34). [Also see: Leviticus 26:44; Jeremiah 14:21; and Jeremiah 33:20–22.] Aren’t you grateful God has kept His promises in the past and will keep His promises concerning you, His saints, and His plan of salvation for all in the future? 4. God’s intent and power cannot be stopped.

There are three interludes in the book that explain how -- in the incarnation -- God did the very things he cannot do. For instance, even though we know that God can’t learn, the Bible tells us that God went to school. Jesus grew in wisdom. Even though this is a mystery, the fact that Jesus is both God and man is central to our salvation. A lot of Theology Proper is negative*—God can't do this, He can't do that, He won't do another thing. This has been the case since the beginning and is still true today.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” ( Deuteronomy 31:6). Sure”, you might be thinking to yourself, “but that’s cheating. Those things don’t count”. After all, denying God is the mark of a fool in Scripture (Psalm 14:1), and who wants a foolish God? To say that God cannot deny his own existence—or that he cannot lie, or that he cannot be tempted by evil—is a good thing. In the words of Anselm, the tenth-century Archbishop of Canterbury:Your Bible says that “with God, all things are possible.” And yet, there are some things God cannot do. Do you know what they are… and how they affect you? by Lloyd W. Cary God’s perfection gives us divine direction. It’s not that He holds our sin against us, but rather offers to take our sin. His perfection doesn’t make our failure feel worse, it makes His holiness shine. It gives us a place to lay our sin and burdens down. and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). [Compare Psalm 30:12; Psalm 41:13; Psalm 99:3,9; Psalm 103; 1 Timothy 1:17; and Hebrews 13:15.] Aren’t you awed that we have such a perfect, Almighty, and loving God that is worthy of such praise? 12. And finally, God cannot stop loving you.

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1–2). [See Proverbs 15:29; Jeremiah 5:25; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Ezekiel 39:23–24; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 6:7–8; and 1 John 3:4.] Aren’t you thankful that Jesus Christ came and paid your eternal death penalty for you, in your stead? 8. God cannot despise a broken and contrite heart. To learn more about God and what your part can be in His plan for man, be sure to request our free booklets, Who, What Is God?, Is Jesus Really God? and Things To Do While Waiting For Jesus to Return . You’ll be amazed! ΩFor we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” ( Hebrews 4:15). My inability to learn came from my limitations. But when we say that God can’t learn, it’s not for any of those reasons. Before I lay my head on my pillow each night, I’m faced with the reality of my sin nature. Failure is a part of humanity. It comes into this world with each of us. But God doesn’t sin. His holiness is what makes Him God. Without sin, He holds the power to forgive sin, to cover sin, to uncover sin, to reveal, convict, and pardon all sin. He doesn’t try to twist your words or read into your actions. He already knows. He won’t misquote you or derive a story from a few second-hand facts. God always understands and always knows the whole story. This gives me sweet peace when I feel like no one “gets” me. God does. In conclusion, this was a deeply enriching book that engages with some really deep theological questions about the character and nature of God is such an accessible and relatable way.