I love the Toy Story movies and I especially love Buzz Lightyear. He repeats his motto boldly – “To infinity and beyond” like it is really possible. But, in reality, it is not even logical. You cannot go beyond infinity! However, when speaking about God, it actually might make sense. In other words, even infinity itself is not sufficient to describe the majesty of God. Infinity is at least a concept we can grasp. But God’s existence and power is actually – well, beyond infinity!
Lately I have been reading about some of the theories of Stephen Hawking and other scientists concerning their ideas of multiverses. (That’s a whole other story.) But in the process of reading their theories, there was one common concern that all scientists in this quest had – the idea of infinity bothered them greatly. It was a concept that they acknowledged mathematically but they could not fit into their theories. Infinite is something that they could not measure, so they had to work with imaginary numbers to avoid infinity in their equations (because infinity would either result in models with endless loops or collapsing in on themselves). And since they could not test their theories on an infinite universe, they had to examine only small sections of the universe and then extrapolate their data which again leads to an unworkable infinity!
But God is infinite. He defies measurement. He defies understanding. Simply put, the Lord is beyond measure. Therefore, one attribute of God is infinity – or we might say, infinity and beyond!
Simply put, to say God is infinite is to say that He is not a finite being. The Lord has no limitations; as Psalm 147:5 puts it: “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” Something or someone that is beyond all human measure is infinite by definition. No matter how hard we try to “measure” God, He will always go beyond us.
Theologian Stephen Charnock said, “Whatever God is, he is infinitely so ….” Infinity means that there is no limit to God’s perfections. Infinity could apply to all of the attributes, not just to a few of His incommunicable attributes. For example, when we think about love, whatever concept we have of love, God’s love is infinitely more loving than ours. When we think about justice, God’s justice is infinitely more just than ours. And when we think about goodness, God’s goodness is infinitely more good than ours.
While God’s infinity is related to other attributes, most of the time His infinity refers to His being eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. In fact, these four attributes are simply an attempt to explain certain aspects of an infinite God. For example, omnipresence is simply God’s infinity in relationship to space. Omniscience is God’s infinity in relation to knowledge – He is all-knowing. Omnipotence is God’s infinity in relation to His Power – He is all-powerful. And eternity is God’s infinity in terms of time. I know these concepts will be a bit difficult to understand, but let’s look at these so that we can see what an awesome God we have!
First of all, let’s consider the eternity of God. One way of defining God’s infinity is everlastingness or eternity – this refers to his infinity with respect to time. Eternity can only be understood in contrast with time. Time is a construct that was only created when God created the world. The sun and the moon to mark the times. Before this, there was no time. There was only eternity. This is where clocks and calendars come in. They mark the passage of time. But eternity is not marked by time. Augustine puts it this way – He says not only that time and the world were created by God, but that they were at once created together. Thus, Augustine says: “God created the world not in time but with time.”
Eternity in the strict sense of the word means that God transcends all temporal limitations. It is infinity applied to God in the sense of time. Our existence is marked off by days and weeks and months and years. Our life is divided into a past, present and future, but there is no such division in the life of God. He is the eternal “I am.” God is infinite in terms of time.
The book of Ecclesiastes gives us a glimpse into why God created time. In 3:11, It tells us that God “has put eternity into man’s heart.” That’s why human beings sense intuitively that time is a kind of confinement, and that is the reason we desire to transcend it. God has put the idea of eternity in our hearts so that we might seek Him. We may not be able to understand it, but we desire it and it often causes people to seek God.
Another term that refers to God’s infinity in terms of time is Eternality. This may sound similar to eternity, but it is different. Eternity technically refers to unending time or timelessness. Eternity can only be measured and compared in connection with time. It is time that never ends. Certainly, God lives in eternity – in time that never ends. Isaiah 57:15 says, “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity.” Eternity is His dwelling place. Our dwelling place is in time. His is not. He is timeless. He is eternal. Eternity could be called time without end.
Eternality speaks of God’s eternity in His relationship to time. This means that God is not bound by time. Time affects all of us – we have papers to write, work to do, and deadlines to meet. Time, in a sense, rules our lives. But it does not rule God in any way. He is not bound by time. In Psalm 90:4, we learn that a “thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” We think a day is short, and we think a thousand years is so long! But a day and a millennium are both alike to God! God doesn’t consider one to be more or less than the other, for God does not even think in these terms. He is not bound by time. This is why we are impatient and why God can patiently wait for many years to bring about His desired purposes and plans.
Second, Omnipresence is God’s infinity in relationship to space. Augustine once wrote, “”God is an infinite circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” Where is God’s center, that is, where is He? Everywhere. Where does the circumference of the circle end? Nowhere – because God’s presence is infinite.
What does God’s omnipresence mean? Omnipresence means that God is present everywhere. Positively this means that God is present with us – always. And that is a great comfort in any situation. But negatively, it also means that nothing escapes His notice. He sees and knows all because He is ever present. It is a great reminder that, even when we think no one will see or know what we do, God knows – He is there!
Third, Omniscience is the infinity of God in terms of His knowledge. God’s omniscience means that He knows everything and that He never needs to learn anything. Nothing new has ever come into His mind that He does not already know. And He never needs anyone to give Him an update or any additional information. It also means that He is never surprised because He already knows what is going to happen. The classic verse for this is in Romans 11:33 where the Apostle Paul says: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgment and his paths beyond tracing out.” God’s omniscience means that God knows everything.
This means He knows all things – past, present and future. And He not only knows what was and is and will be, He even knows all the possibilities. He knows what would have happened even if it did not. In Matthew 11:23, Jesus says to Capernaum, “For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.” God knows not only what is, but He knows what might have been. And He knows very minute detail. Nothing escapes His knowledge. He knows everything. He is all-knowing. His knowledge is truly infinite.
Third, God is not only omnipresent and omniscient, He is also omnipotent. This is God’s power to infinity (and beyond!). He not only knows all, He has the power to accomplish all that He plans and all that He wants. There is no resistance to His will and all of His plans will be successful because He is all-powerful. William Gurnall rightly said, “One Almighty is more than all mighties!”
But what does the omnipotence of God mean? It means that no plan of God’s can ever fail. It means that He is The All-Victorious One – in every situation! In Psalm 2, the Psalmist asks why the nations rebel and fight against God. In verse 4, He tells us how almighty God responds: “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.” God’s omnipotence means that we too will be victorious through Him. In 1 John 4:4, John says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Because He is all-powerful, He is always victorious!
But the omnipotence of God also means that He is The All-Strengthening One. Because God is at work within believers, He can give us strength for anything that He calls us to do. In fact, Jesus tells his disciples in John 15:5, “apart from me, you can do nothing.” This power also comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This is why Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His power is infinite!
Because God is infinite, He cannot be contained or measured. God’s infinity should lead us to confidence. When things in this world seem to be a mess and there appears to be no hope on the horizon, we need to remember that we serve an infinite God. He does not lack understanding and wisdom. He does not lack any knowledge of the future. We do not know what will happen, or how it can possibly be accomplished, or when it will happen, but God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present – to infinity and beyond!
God’s infinity also drives us to humility. We can know God truly but not fully. If the Lord cannot be measured, there are always limits to our understanding of Him, His ways and His will. This should make us humble, as we recognize that God stands over us and all creation, even going far beyond all that we can conceive. It should teach us patience and trust as we humbly place our lives in the hands of a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present – to infinity and beyond! Maybe Buzz Lightyear had it right after all!
Teaching Ministry …
I am currently in the process of teaching a course on the attributes of God and the nature of revelation. It is a difficult class with lots of theological and philosophical concepts to explain. I included just one small section from one lecture in this update. Pray that the students will gain a new appreciation for our infinitely loving and powerful God through their studies on the doctrine of God. And pray for me as I attempt to explain and apply these difficult concepts to those who will be serving in ministry for our Lord.
I mentioned in our last update two books that I have enjoyed reading in preparation for this class. I would recommend them to you again. Steve Lawson’s book, Show Me Your Glory is fantastic. He provides some great theology but also so helpful application for each of the attributes of God. It is one of the best books I have ever read about the attributes of God. I recommended Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves. Reeves gave me some very helpful insights to understanding the trinity from eternity. I would highly recommend both of these books to you! Additionally, if you are interested in some of the scientific conversations about God, creation and the universe, I would recommend God, Stephen Hawking and the Multiverse: What Hawking Said and Why It Matters by David Hitchings. It is a little more technical, but he writes about these complicated theories in a manner that makes them understandable. And, if you are interested in something about evolution, I would recommend Jim Albright’s book, Everything Says, Glory!
Thank you again for your help with all the extra translation work these past few months. A number of you have sent extra gifts to help us cover these costs. While we will not have the final amounts until we finish with all the translation work, we think the gifts we have received so far will cover all the costs. Thank you so much for assisting us in this essential ministry!
Family Times …
Kristina turned 7 last month and we had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday together. She loved waking up to a bed full of balloons and we had her favorite carrot cake for her birthday. We love watching as she continues to grow into a wonderful young lady.
We are enjoying doing school at home and studying about American history. The girls continue to enjoy watching the old “Daniel Boone” TV series. We asked them what they liked best about the show. Kristina first said she liked it because Daniel Boone was so handsome – spoken like a true girl! But we were also glad that she quickly added that she liked that he was honest and always treated everyone fairly – both Indians and settlers. Nadia’s favorite character is Daniel’s Indian friend, Mingo. He was my favorite too when I was growing up. I liked that he too was honest and fair like Daniel. It is good to see that they admire good characteristics in people. When we ask what they like best about school, it is usually reading time. They love reading books together and also reading on their own – in English and Russian!
The weather here has been colder than usual this winter, but we are warm inside with our woodstove. We also spent a lot of time this summer and fall conserving fruits and vegetables and it looks like we have enough to last until the beginning of summer. Even with the cold weather, we try to get out and sled ride as often as we can – even though the snow is not so deep. Still the girls find a way to have winter fun but even they are looking forward to some warmer weather.
Health Issues …
My health issues continue to improve but I still have some incidents that we are working to control. My biggest need right now is for healing for my colon. I am constantly struggling with colon spasms and other colon issues that are not only painful – they are frustrating. But I am seeing improvement in this area too. Thank you for praying for me and my health.
Finances …
Thank you also for your financial support. Like everyone else, last year was a bit challenging due to Covid issues. But our support levels stayed at their normal levels which was a great blessing for us! And when we had unusual needs, like extra translation work, many of you helped us meet those needs. We are so thankful for all of you and for your prayers and support this past year!
Pray for Ukraine …
Please continue to pray for Ukraine. Right now, even though the war is continuing, the situation in the country remains basically stable. But continue to pray for our refugees from the war areas and also for our servicemen who face attacks every day. Also pray for pastors and for chaplains who are serving there and sharing the gospel in very difficult circumstances.
We continue to pray for the situation in the USA. We are greatly concerned about the many changes taking place in our government and for what appears to be a rapid erosion of personal freedoms in America. It is almost surreal to see what is happening in America from the standpoint of those who lived under a totalitarian government and suppression of free speech here in Ukraine. We are praying for a restoration of normalcy in America and for protection for those who care about freedom. We know God is in control, but we pray for patience and wisdom as we look to see what God will do in the coming year. We don’t know what will happen. But we know we serve a God whose wisdom and power is to infinity – and beyond!
By His Grace,
Jim, Katya, Kristina and Nadia
Teaching Resources International 