The list of limits, which restrain the life of man, is long. He is bound up and constrained by the Holy dictates of God’s great Wisdom. The list of “can” is shorter, yet no less sure. The first constrains rebellion. The second unleashes holy righteousness with the unlimited power of God himself.
Man presses against the limits of restraint. They invent machines to push into those limits, and succeeds. There will be no glory from God for such pernicious strivings. How can rebellious desire be rewarded?
But who, among men, reaches to the limit of “can”? It is written for all to read, “With God all things are possible”. In the way of obedience, this was said. In the way of salvation to obedience, this was said. Who, among men, reaches to the fullness of God’s Holy words?
There are the limits of this world. The final limit, among men, is reached at the point of death; the release of the soul from the constraints of flesh. All men will surely reach this limit and pass through.
Many will reach the next impenetrable limit of condemnation; they will go no farther. No rebellious striving will produce success. But who will reach beyond that finality to the unspeakable limits of eternity?
God is a God of order. He has placed limits for all creatures. In this age, he has constrained. So it will be in the next age. In this age he constrains rebellion. In the next he will constrain Holy order. Yet who, among men, reaches to the limit of “can”?
Jesus offers righteousness to man now. Jesus is the righteousness of man forever. Yet what shall be said of the fullness of possibility in this place of testing? Who has reached the fullness of God’s willingness to give? Who, among men, reaches deep to become what God is willing to give?