GOD is OMNISCIENT
“The finite mind cannot grasp the complete truth concerning omniscience anymore than it can grasp divine omnipotence, omnipresence, or divine love. Whatever omniscience is, only omniscience can know in the absolute cognition1 of it. Nevertheless, some portions of this marvelous divine reality may be comprehended and what cannot be known may be received by faith in God’s Word.”
Systematic Theology, Lewis Sperry Chafer
Today, we enter into another week of focusing on a theological topic that brings confidence and peace to us as believers, our omniscient God. The word omniscient comes from two latin terms: omni, ‘all’ and scientia,’knowledge. God is omniscient and “by his divine nature and without the effort of learning – knows all things, past, present, and future.”2
In Psalm 147 the Psalmist challenges the people of God to praise the Lord because of the restoration of His people, His authority over creation, His provision in life, and His revelation of His will to his covenant people.3 In verse five the Psalmist praises His omniscient God.
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.” Psalm 147:5
In the second part of the verse he points out that God is aware of everything and his “understanding” is immeasurable.
The omniscience of God is hard to comprehend. In fact, for our finite minds it is impossible to totally comprehend. However, as believers we embrace this part of God’s character in faith and learn as much as we can about it from the insight found in several places of the bible.
Although this is true, we talk about the reality of God’s omniscience all the time. The very fact that we believe that God is aware of our every thought is embracing this attribute of God. He knew us before we knew Him, but in our journey to Him, He knew everything we were thinking and saw everything we did. He knew the very hour and day that we would accept his invitation to have relationship with Him, and He continues to extend his grace to us even when we sin.
In John’s third letter there is a moment where John speaks to the omniscience of God applying it in a personal sense for believers:
. . . for whenever our heart condemns us,
God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20
This verse is such an encouragement for all of us. It focuses on our relationship with God and His role in meeting us in our struggles and brokenness. The Greek word used for heart in this verse is cardia. This term speaks to the character, inner self, and the will of a person. What John is saying here is that God is greater than any condemnation that may overwhelm us in
our journey. In Romans 8:1,Paul states,“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Two of Satan’s biggest weapons in our lives as believers are guilt and shame. If the evil one can persuade us to live in condemnation because of guilt and shame it becomes debilitating. However, if we believe the truth of Romans 8:1, we can embrace the grace and mercy of God, repent, and live our lives in freedom as fully devoted followers of Christ. Why, because “God’s love is greater than our heart, and he knows everything!”
Great news! We can live with confidence in relationship with our omniscient God. We can approach Him with confidence knowing that He sees every thought and action and loves us still. Let’s take time today to rest in His presence today!
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Pastor Chuck Reed
1 cognition – the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. (found at dictionary.com)
2 Charles Swindoll and Roy Zuck, Understanding Christian Theology, 181. 3 Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, 933.