In our daily lives, we often come across phenomena that seem to defy logic and explanation. These marvels stir up within us a sense of wonder and awe, leaving us to ponder the mysterious and infinite capabilities of the divine. In this blog post, we are going to explore five extraordinary things that, according to many religious beliefs, only God can do. Whether you’re a person of faith seeking affirmation or a skeptic looking for food for thought, this exploration may offer a new perspective on the divine and its role in our world.
What Are They?
Without further ado, let’s delve into these five unparalleled acts that are uniquely attributed to God.
1. Creation of the Universe. This extraordinary act is a pointer to God’s infinite power and wisdom. The Book of Genesis in the Bible provides an account of this miraculous creation. In Genesis 1:1, it states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
God’s creative power doesn’t solely encompass the visible aspects of the universe we see today—the stars, the planets, the animals, and humanity—but also the underlying laws of nature and the fabric of reality itself. Consider the fine-tuning of the universe, the specific constants and quantities in the natural world that allow life to exist. In such incredible precision and detail, many see the hand of a Designer.
Furthermore, in the New Testament, Colossians 1:16 reaffirms this belief: “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.” This verse reiterates the belief that every element of our existence, seen and unseen, is a result of God’s unique capability of creation.
2. Granting of Life and Death. The circle of life and death is a profound mystery that has been attributed to the divine power of God across various religious doctrines. It is widely held that only God has the supreme ability to breathe life into creation and, when the time is right, call back that life.
One of the most illustrative references in the Bible can be found in Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” This verse vividly depicts God’s exclusive role in the creation of life, wherein He instills an inanimate form with the breath of life, transforming it into a living entity.
The belief in God’s authority over death is also deeply rooted in religious texts. Hebrews 9:27 states, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” implying that the cycle of life and death is determined by God, and death, as part of this cycle, is an appointment that every human must keep. It serves as an unavoidable bridge between earthly life and what follows, either eternal life or judgment, both of which fall within God’s domain.
As prescribed in Deuteronomy 32:39, “See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death, and I bring to life, I have wounded, and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.” This verse powerfully reinforces the belief in God’s singular authority over life and death. It paints a clear picture of a deity who not only gives and takes life but also can wound and heal, asserting absolute control over every facet of existence.
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3. Omniscience, or All-Knowing. God’s omniscience is a key attribute that reveals his divine nature. Omniscience refers to God’s ability to know everything—past, present, and future— unbounded by time or space. This unlimited understanding and knowledge is beyond human comprehension and is another example of a capability solely attributed to God.
In the Bible, this divine characteristic is frequently referenced. For instance, the Book of Psalms provides a vivid picture of God’s all-encompassing knowledge. Psalm 139:1-4 states, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” These verses reaffirm the belief in God’s omniscience, emphasizing that God knows our every action, thought, and word even before we do.
Another reference can be found in the New Testament, in Hebrews 4:13, which states, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” This verse underscores God’s comprehensive awareness of all things, implying nothing can be hidden from His divine gaze.
Further, 1 John 3:20 says, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” This verse assures us that God’s knowledge surpasses our self-awareness. Even when we are in doubt or self-condemnation, God, who knows everything, has a more profound understanding of us than we do of ourselves.
Thus, omniscience, according to numerous religious texts, is an exclusive divine attribute that further emphasizes the distinctness of God. This boundless knowledge, encompassing all things seen and unseen, past, present, and future, reminds us of the infinite wisdom and understanding of God.
4. Miracles/Divine Interventions. Miracles, defined as supernatural phenomena or extraordinary events that surpass all known human or natural powers, are further evidence of the divine capabilities solely attributed to God. These divine interventions demonstrate God’s ability to alter the natural order, defy scientific laws, and achieve what seems impossible to mankind.
A remarkable example of such a miracle can be found in the story of Sarah’s conception and childbirth at an advanced age in the Bible. In the Book of Genesis, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is depicted as barren and well past childbearing age. However, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and part of that promise involved Sarah bearing a child.
Genesis 17:19 notes God’s promise to Abraham: “God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.'” Despite their advanced age, God intervened, and Sarah miraculously conceived and gave birth to a son, Isaac.
Further, in Genesis 21:1-2, the fulfillment of this promise is recounted, “Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” This verse underscores the reality of God’s promise and the manifestation of His divine power, producing a miracle that seemed impossible in human terms.
Therefore, the miracles performed by God, as depicted in various religious texts, are a testament to His omnipotence. They serve as a reminder that God’s capabilities are infinitely beyond human comprehension, and He can bring about impossible outcomes, like enabling Sarah, a woman of advanced age, to conceive and give birth.
5. Redemption and Forgiveness. The concepts of redemption and forgiveness are fundamental to many religious beliefs, and they are often seen as divine prerogatives. The power to redeem and forgive, particularly in a religious context, is attributed exclusively to God. In Christianity, the path to redemption and forgiveness is outlined in the teachings of the Bible.
The Bible is replete with assurances of God’s willingness and power to redeem and forgive. Redemption, in a biblical sense, refers to God’s act of delivering his followers from sin and its consequences. At the same time, forgiveness signifies God’s pardoning of our sins, allowing us to reconcile with Him.
Ephesians 1:7 states, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This verse underscores the belief that it is through God, specifically the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ, that redemption and forgiveness are made possible.
Moreover, Colossians 1:13-14 affirms, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” This passage reaffirms the divine power of redemption and forgiveness, depicting God as a rescuer who liberates us from sin and brings us into His kingdom through the redemption and forgiveness available in Christ.
One of the most profound examples of God’s ability to forgive is found in Luke 23:34, where Jesus, while being crucified, implored, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This plea for forgiveness uttered during a moment of immense pain and suffering, exemplifies the boundless nature of God’s forgiveness.
Therefore, the power of redemption and forgiveness, as discussed in numerous scriptural texts, is a prerogative held exclusively by God. It is God who offers redemption from sin, and it is His forgiveness that allows us to reconcile with Him and access His grace.
