Untitled Sermon
The perfection of God by which God is not bound by any limitation; no limit can be applied to his being or his attributes.
God’s infinity is an incommunicable attribute, or perfection, of God that denies any limit to God’s being or perfections and affirms that God transcends the categories of finite creatures. Not to be confused with boundless extension or indeterminacy, divine infinity is a positive concept. It means that whatever God is, he is perfectly and eminently. He has every degree of perfection without any limitation. None of God’s attributes can be considered “in progress” or “not yet complete.” As such, divine infinity qualifies all the other attributes. Whatever God is, he is infinitely.
Traditionally, divine infinity has been described under three distinct but related aspects. First, the infinity of God’s essence, which is absolutely perfect and qualitatively infinite, considered in relation to itself is called God’s absolute perfection. God’s absolute infinity affirms the fullness and completeness of his being. In this way, the doctrine of divine infinity is closely related to the doctrine of divine simplicity. Not only is God whatever he has, but everything he has, he has infinitely. Second, the infinity of God considered in relation to time is called eternity. God is not bound by the creaturely limit of time but transcends time. Third, the infinity of God considered in relation to space is called immensity and omnipresence. God is not bound by the creaturely limit of space. He transcends space (immensity) while simultaneously filling every part of created space and sustaining it (omnipresence).
Scripture attests to multiple aspects of God’s infinity. God is the one beyond measure and limit (Job 11:7–10; Ps 145:3; Matt 5:48); even the heavens cannot contain him (1 Kgs 8:27; 2 Chr 2:6). He is the one who endures (Pss 90:1–2; 102:25–28; Eph 3:21) and transcends temporal limitation (2 Pet 3:8). He is the one who is present in every part of created reality (Ps 139:7–10; Jer 23:23–24; Acts 17:27–28) yet is not contained within creation (1 Kgs 8:27; Isa 66:1). Far from rendering God remote and removed from his creation, divine infinity allows for God to be present at all times and in all space while remaining distinct from it. God, who is infinite, can create and sustain creatures in time and space without absorbing them. He is present side by side with his creation, sustaining it and guiding it, while still being transcendent, not bound to the categories and limitations of creaturely existence.
Finally, as the doctrine of divine infinity affirms the limitless perfection of God’s essence, his eternity, immensity, and omnipresence, divine infinity also implies the doctrine divine incomprehensibility. The finite (humanity) cannot comprehend the infinite (God), but humans can come to a limited, true, and creaturely knowledge of God.
Practically, the perfection of divine infinity reminds human beings of their creatureliness, which should lead to a sense of awe and amazement that the infinite One cares for and communicates to his creatures. Even more, it should assure believers of the infinite worth and value of their salvation in Christ, grounded in the infinite worth of his sacrifice. Finally, it should lead believers to joy, as creaturely knowledge of God will never be exhausted; even in eternity believers will continue to learn and come to know, but never exhaust or fully comprehend, the infinite God.
Passages
KEY VERSES
2 Ch 2:6; Job 11:7–9; Ps 145:3; Is 40:12–17 (Comparative in relation to creatures.); Is 48:12; Da 4:34 (Comparative in relation to creatures.); Mt 5:48; Eph 3:20; Ac 17:27–28; 2 Pe 3:8
ADDITIONAL VERSES
1 Ki 8:27; Is 66:1; Je 23:24; Jn 11:7–9