The CatechismGlobal Methodist Church
Question 4 of 77 · Ecumenical Affirmations

How is God Almighty?

God is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love.

Catechism for the Global Methodist Church, question 4

Session 1Who is God?Opens at 10:02, where question 4 begins.
Commentary

The creed calls God "the Almighty," and this question asks what that title contains. The words of the answer come from the second sentence of Article I of the Confession of Faith: "He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love." Article I of the Articles of Religion has "of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness"; the Confession lists five, with justice and love, and all five stand in the answer.

God is infinite in power. Job confessed it after his trial: "I know that you are able to do all things, and that no purpose can be restrained from you" (Job 42:2). Jeremiah prayed it in a besieged city, "nothing is too difficult for you" (Jeremiah 32:17), and Gabriel said it to Mary, "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). Jesus said it of salvation itself: "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). God is infinite in wisdom. "With him are wisdom and might; he possesses counsel and understanding" (Job 12:13), and his thoughts are as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:9). Paul, at the end of his longest argument, could only worship: "Oh, the depth of the riches and of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33).

God is infinite in justice. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne" (Psalm 89:14), and God will bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night (Luke 18:7). God is infinite in goodness, and Psalm 107 opens with it: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his kindness endures forever." God is infinite in love. John wrote it in three words, "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and then showed what that love did: In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). Paul wrote where that love was proved: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Wesley taught that God's love governs how every other attribute is exercised toward sinners. A Methodist facing illness or loss can rest on a God whose power has no limit and whose use of that power is always wise, just, good, and loving. The doxology of Romans 16:27, "to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever," is addressed to this God and fits the end of any prayer.