Quotes about God-Independence
God is distinct from His creation. He isn’t a part of it; it isn’t a part of Him. He didn’t “arise” from it; it didn’t’ “arise” from Him. He spoke, and where nothing was before, it was.
Copied from How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski copyright 2004, p.38. Used by permission of NavPress (Think Books) – www.navpress.com. All rights reserved. Get this book!
The greatest and best man in the world must say, By the grace of God I am what I am, but God says absolutely… “I am that I am.”
God is independent of all things. He is perfectly self-sufficient, not depending on anything outside himself for anything, and is therefore the eternal, foundational being, the source of life and sustenance for all other beings.
God the Father by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue taken from Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, copyright 2017, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187, www.crosswaybooks.org.
1. As Yahweh, God is self-existent, having life in and of Himself (Ex 3:14; John 5:26). 2. God existed before all things, and through Him alone all things exist (Ps. 90:2; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11). 3. God is Lord of all (Deut. 10:17; Josh. 3:13). 4. He depends on nothing; all things depend on Him (Rom. 11:36). 5. He is the source of everything (Deut. 32:39; Isa. 45:5—7; 54:16; John 5:26; 1 Cor. 8:6). 6. He does as He wills (Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10-11; 64:8; Jer. 18:6; Dan. 4:35; Rom. 9:19-21; Eph. 1:5; Rev. 4:11). 7. His counsel is the basis of everything (Ps. 33:10—11; Prov. 19:21; Isa. 46:10; Matt. 11:25-26; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; Eph. 1:5, 9, 11). 8. He does everything for His own sake (Josh. 7:9; 1 Sam. 12:22; Psm. 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21; 143:11; Prov. 16:4; Isa. 48:9; Jer. 14:7, 21; Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22, 44; Dan. 9:19). 9. He needs nothing, being all-sufficient (Job 22:2—3; Acts 17:25). 10. He is the first and the last (Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). 11. He is independent in His mind (Rom. 11:33—35), His will (Dan. 4:35; Rom. 9:19; Eph. 1:5; Rev. 4:11), His counsel (Ps. 33:11; Isa. 46:10), His love (Hos. 14:4), and His power (Ps. 115:3).
God the Father by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue taken from Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, copyright 2017, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187, www.crosswaybooks.org. Page 169.
When Moses before the burning bush asked God His name, God replied, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3:14). We have an origin, but God has none. We must say, “By the grace of God, I am who I am,” but God can simply say, “I am who I am.” He is outside the realm of His creation and owes His existence to no one. God is self-existent.
This King lives independently of all other life forms. He is the origin of all other life forms. His life is non-derivative. He does not live because of who anyone or anything else is or who or what anyone or anything else does. He simply is, irrespective and independent of all other is’s. His life is beyond the ravages of death, decay, or disintegration.
One Thing, Christian Focus, © Enjoying God Ministries, 2004, p.55. www.enjoyinggodministries.com. Used by Permission.
Were all human beings suddenly to become blind, still the sun would shine by day and the stars by night, for these owe nothing to the millions who benefit from their light. So, were every man on earth to become an atheist, it could not affect God in any way. He is what He is in Himself without regard to any other. To believe in Him adds nothing to His perfections; to doubt Him takes nothing away.
God and his kingdom are, simply put, about God – the triune God, the Holy One of Israel. What are the triune God’s needs? He has no needs. He is completely fulfilled. The Father loves the Son. The Son is ecstatic about the Father and wants nothing but the Father’s will. God’s greatest pleasure is Himself.
When People are Big and God is Small, P&R Publishing, 1997, p. 153. Used by Permission. Get this book!