The truth that God is able is of paramount importance to the believer. To believe in God’s ability is to trust in his omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence—his sovereignty. We see the depths of God’s sovereignty in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In his prayer for the saints in chapter 3, Paul highlights his requests to God on behalf of the church at Ephesus: strength through God’s Spirit, Christ’s indwelling and grounding in love, the ability to comprehend Christ’s love, and being filled with God’s fullness.
He prays for all these things because he is convinced that God can fulfill his requests and much more. No man can provide spiritual strength, Christ-like love, and true fullness like the Lord. Beyond the requests cited, Paul’s statement in verse 20 is spread throughout Scripture: “he is able.” As A.W. Tozer said, “Whatever God did and was able to do and willing to do at any time, God is able and willing to do again, within the framework of his will.”
Often, we think that just because a situation is beyond our ability to handle, it is likewise beyond God’s ability. But that is never true. Our impossible situations do not define God’s ability. What are some of these things that God can do, according to Scripture?
Destroy the Sinner
Jesus can do all that Ephesians and other epistles talk about. Still, he can destroy the unbeliever who refuses to turn to him in faith for salvation. Jesus tells us not to fear men, who can only bring temporary destruction. Rather, we are to fear him who can “destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
Some of us are not born again because we want to prove a point to friends. Their approval matters more to us than our eternal destination. Fear Christ, for he can give double trouble—here on earth and after, in hell. He can destroy the doubtful and the sinner as much as he can save them when they come to him.
If you believe that Jesus is able, then walk as one who truly believes. Approach him at any moment, regardless of who or where you are. Submit to him who can do more than anyone can ask. The prophet Jeremiah confessed, “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
Save the Repentant
Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus can “save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” This Scripture discusses Jesus’ high-priestly role, which surpasses that of Melchizedek, the king-priest to whom Abraham offered a tithe. Because Jesus is the great High Priest, he has become the one who guarantees a better covenant—the covenant of grace. We can’t please God by our own strength, because our flesh works against God’s will. Romans 8:7-8 tells us that those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In this new covenant, our High Priest, who never dies because he conquered death, can save completely those who draw near to God through him. Have you drawn near to the Father through the Son? Jesus, our High Priest, no longer cleanses a unique nation but sanctifies us individually. Faith in Jesus is personal. Has he saved you, or are you still lost in your sin? He can save and intercede for you before the Father. Therefore, come to the Father through his Son, who daily lives to make intercession for his own.
Keep and Present
Once he has saved us, he does not leave us like orphans, needy and destitute. He works to “keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24). He has promised us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). Who can snatch us from such eternal commitment? No one whatsoever.
But then what about the backslider? one may ask. If anyone appears to have backslidden, it is because they were never truly in Christ to begin with. As 1 John 2:19 says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
The old hymn He Will Hold Me Fast reminds us that “those he saves are his delight; precious in his holy sight; he will not let our souls be lost until our faith has come to sight—Christ will hold us fast.” Paul reminds his spiritual son, Timothy, not to be ashamed of the gospel, even though he is facing persecution and imprisonment for it. Paul’s charge to Timothy is based on the firm truth that Jesus can keep us to the end. As Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he can guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
In keeping us from stumbling, Christ seeks to present us joyfully before the Father as his blameless bride, regardless of our wanderings. He will make us shine in the glory of the Father. He is able!
Avoid Having a Transactional Relationship with God
If our God can do these things and much more that we haven’t discussed today, why should we not have confidence in approaching him with our requests? Paul says that he can do “exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask” (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus can do much more for his people, even regarding their physical, earthly requests. He said, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?'” (Matthew 6:30–31)
In light of these realities, it can be easy for some to get caught up in a transactional relationship with God, where it is all about him giving us what we want in exchange for our supposedly good deeds. God does not require good deeds to show kindness. Even sinners experience the common grace of God. Above all earthly blessings, God can save, keep, and present you blameless before himself. Won’t you, then, worship and serve him in surrender?