Greatness

[Tellyontellyon]

I've heard Christians talk about the greatness of God... What does that mean? What are the implications of that?

Thank you.

 

[trophy33]

I've heard Christians talk about the greatness of God... What does that mean? What are the implications of that?

Thank you.

Depends on the context, but I would generally guess it means that we are constantly realizing how beautifully and powerfully God arranged everything in the universe to work together. Or when we feel His providence in our personal life.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hello @Tellyontellyon, here is a short quote from theologian/pastor H. B. Charles Jr. that may be helpful (at least as a place to begin talking about/considering this wonderful and massive topic). He writes,

Let me help you understand the scope of God's greatness. This is the history of the world in one sentence: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things" .. Romans 11:36.

I don't have to know your story, but this is the testimony of your salvation in one sentence: "For from Him and to Him and through Him are all things." This is the story of your life in one sentence: "From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.”

God is the first cause and the effective cause and the final cause of all things. He's the source, the Sustainer, and significance of all things. He's the source and the force and the course of all things. He is the Originator of all things. He perpetuates all things. He terminates all things. He is the foundation of all things, the Being of all things, the purpose of all things. He is Alpha and Omega and every letter in between.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen" .. Romans 11:36.
​

--David
p.s. - God transcends space and time. He is, in point of fact, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it (space, time, matter, energy), the physical, as well the spiritual .. e.g. John 1:3-4; Colossians 1:16-17. He alone is God .. e.g. Isaiah 43:10-11, and as such, He is both from and to everlasting, without beginning or end .. e.g. Psalms 90:2.

​

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I've heard Christians talk about the greatness of God... What does that mean? What are the implications of that?

Thank you.

A lot of times it is dealing with things like God's Divine Attributes of being all powerful, omnipresent, eternal and self existent. Often it is about God revealing himself indirectly through his Creation. It also can be in reference to the Creation itself, like when Jesus mentions in his sermon on the mount, that people worry about clothing themselves but God has clothed the Lilies of the field better than what kings are able to do for themselves.

 

[David's Harp]

His greatness is more than the knowledge, appreciation and reverence for His all powerful and perfect being.

His greatness is more than all the wonder and beauty in the whole of creation.

His greatness is more than being a loving, yet just God.

His greatness lies in the Son, Jesus Christ, who lowered Himself and was counted worthy to be slain as a sacrifice for despicable man.

The implications of Christ's death on the cross and of his resurrection are literally world shattering. As Christians, we understand that because we believe in Christ through faith, we are IN Him - part of Him. And He promises us a New Creation.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
(1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I've heard Christians talk about the greatness of God... What does that mean? What are the implications of that?

Thank you.

Greatness meaning Almighty power.

 

[Astrid]

Hello @Tellyontellyon, here is a short quote from theologian/pastor H. B. Charles Jr. that may be helpful (at least as a place to begin talking about/considering this wonderful and massive topic). He writes,

Let me help you understand the scope of God's greatness. This is the history of the world in one sentence: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things" .. Romans 11:36.

I don't have to know your story, but this is the testimony of your salvation in one sentence: "For from Him and to Him and through Him are all things." This is the story of your life in one sentence: "From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.”

God is the first cause and the effective cause and the final cause of all things. He's the source, the Sustainer, and significance of all things. He's the source and the force and the course of all things. He is the Originator of all things. He perpetuates all things. He terminates all things. He is the foundation of all things, the Being of all things, the purpose of all things. He is Alpha and Omega and every letter in between.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen" .. Romans 11:36.
​

--David
p.s. - God transcends space and time. He is, in point of fact, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it (space, time, matter, energy), the physical, as well the spiritual .. e.g. John 1:3-4; Colossians 1:16-17. He alone is God .. e.g. Isaiah 43:10-11, and as such, He is both from and to everlasting, without beginning or end .. e.g. Psalms 90:2.

​

I don't see how anything can be great if there's nothing to compare it to.

 

[eleos1954]

I've heard Christians talk about the greatness of God... What does that mean? What are the implications of that?

Thank you.

The clearest place we see the greatness and closeness of God is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Even in the story of creation, we see Jesus play an active role. According to John 1, all things were made through the power and authority of Jesus Christ—-the Word of God.

And the same Word would later put on flesh and come to dwell with sinful man and would pay the highest price to see us reconciled to the Father. The Word who was present from the beginning and who will return at the end is Jesus.

This is the One (Jesus) through whom all of creation was made and the One for whom all of creation exists.

 

[angelsaroundme]

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9

Kids think in simple terms. As we get older, our ability to perceive things grows. God is able to understand on a level even beyond the smartest person. The doctrinal term is omniscience, all knowing. God can see the end from the beginning.

Usually though, when considering God's greatness, people are talking about God's mercy.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

 

[St_Worm2]

Usually though, when considering God's greatness, people are talking about God's mercy.

Hello Angelsaroundme, while I agree with you about this, is it not God's Divine "goodness" (instead of His Divine "greatness") that we are actually referring to when we speak of His "mercy" (His compassion, love, and/or grace, etc.)?

Not to nitpick

I suppose that His mercy could be understood as both (both His Divine goodness and His Divine greatness, that is). What say you?

Thanks!

God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - the little passage that you posited for us from Lamentations is one of my very favorites in the Bible, so thank you for reminding us of it

 

[angelsaroundme]

Hello Angelsaroundme, while I agree with you about this, is it not God's Divine "goodness" (instead of His Divine "greatness") that we are actually referring to when we speak of His "mercy" (His compassion, love, and/or grace, etc.)?

Not to nitpick

I suppose that His mercy could be understood as both (both His Divine goodness and His Divine greatness, that is). What say you?

Thanks!

God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - the little passage that you posited for us from Lamentations is one of my very favorites in the Bible, so thank you for reminding us of it

Your welcome. God bless you too!

As you put it, I think goodness is greatness, especially with mercy. It's like how the saying, "Be the bigger person" is usually about forgiveness. It shows strength to be willing to give second chances, to believe people can change and to help them to change.

 

[David's Harp]

I don't see how anything can be great if there's nothing to compare it to.

This is a very important comment. And one which could throw up a lot of other questions. It assumes that if all we know is the one thing (no matter how great), then it will become less great because it becomes the norm. In a way, I think it reflects the lies that Satan told Adam and Eve in the Garden if Eden.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5)

Before this they knew only good. It is a trick of Satan who says we need to know the difference. We were not created to be gods. We shouldn't know death, fear, pain and sorrow.

Rejoice, for God brings new life!

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

I pray that God can open the eyes of your heart to His Greatness, Estrid