What God Cannot Do

“Mr. Comfort, I'm sure you've been asked this many times, but humor me: Could God create a boulder so heavy that he himself could not lift?” Andrew Douglas

There are many things God cannot do. These are things related to His character rather than His ability. The Bible makes it clear that God cannot lie. It calls upon the strength of the word “impossible” to substantiate that He is trustworthy: "It is impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 8:16). He cannot sin. All of His judgments are righteous and true altogether.

He also cannot let injustice go unpunished. If a man murders or rapes a woman, lies, steals, or commits adultery, he "stores up" God’s wrath that will be revealed on Judgment Day.

In answer to the ancient question about the ability of God to create a rock that He cannot lift, I would answer that when it comes to the ability of God, nothing is impossible. Jesus did, however, speak of a large rock. He put it this way: "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder" (Luke 20:18). This was the same Jesus who said to love your enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use you. It was a strange thing for such a kind and loving person to say, until you understand what He said.

When you grind something to powder you do a thorough job. Nothing is left. That’s how God’s justice will be on Judgment day. He will not only punish murderers, but His just wrath will fall on those who have hated someone. He will not only punish adulterers and fornicators, but His just wrath will fall on all those who have lusted after another person, lied, stolen, hated, blasphemed, etc. That’s perfect and thorough justice. No sin (injustice) will be left unpunished.

Rather than being ground to powder by God's wrath, there is an alternative. Jesus said, “Whoever falls on that stone will be broken . . .” If you humble yourself and seek God’s forgiveness (which is in Jesus Christ alone), you will have mercy. Otherwise the stone will fall upon you, which is very fearful.

So I hope I have more than humored you by reminding you that there is a massive stone of wrath abiding on you (see John 3:36), and that God has the ability to lift it off you, because of the cross. It was on that cross that Jesus took your punishment upon Himself, so that Eternal Justice wouldn’t have to fall upon you.