Ways We Limit God

 

David Eldridge

 

                            Are you limiting God?  Did you even know it was possible?  In Psalm 78:41 the psalmist said the Jews had “limited the Holy One of Israel.”  Let us consider how we may limit God.

 

In answering our prayers.  We know that God stands ready to both hear and answer the prayers of His saints.  However, did you know you could limit God in answering those prayers?  Notice Jesus’ words in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”  Jesus teaches that our prayers are ineffective if we do not believe that God both can and will give us those things for which we ask.  James says of the one who doubts in prayer, “Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” James 1:7.  Do not limit God in answering you prayers – believe that he both can and will grant your requests.

 

In forgiving our sins.  God wants to forgive our sins – it is the theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  But, we can limit God in forgiving our sins that would send us to Hell.   Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).  Some think they can refuse to forgive and forget what others have done to them and still be right in the eyes of God.  Jesus, however, says you cannot.  We should be willing to forgive those who have done us wrong by remembering the words of Colossians 3:13, where Paul commands, “Forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”  God has forgiven us of so much, surely we can forgive others.  Forgive that you might not limit God’s forgiveness of your sins.

 

In saving others.  God would have all men saved (II Peter 3:9).  Romans 1:16 teaches that the Gospel is the power to bring about that salvation.  Have you ever considered that if we do not take the word to the lost that we are limiting the power of God to save them?  Read Romans 10:13-15 and see how salvation begins – it begins with one teaching the lost the Word of God.  As Christians we should not limit God in this way, but rather always be teaching the word of God to the lost that their souls might be saved.