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Bible Encyclopedias
All-Sufficiency of God
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or is that power or attribute of his nature whereby he is able to communicate as much blessedness to his creatures as he is pleased to make them capable of receiving. As his self-sufficiency is that whereby he has enough in himself to denominate him completely blessed as a God of infinite perfection, so his all-sufficiency is that by which he has enough in himself to satisfy the most enlarged desires of his creatures and to make them completely blessed. (See ATTRIBUTES OF GOD).
We practically deny this perfection —
1. When we are discontented with our present condition and desire more than God has allotted for us (Genesis 3:5; Proverbs 19:3);
2. When we seek blessings, of what kind soever, in an indirect way, as if God were not able to bestow them upon us in his own way, or in the use of lawful means (Genesis 27:35);
3. When we use unlawful means to escape imminent dangers (ch. 1 Samuel 20:26; 1 Samuel 21:13);
4. When we distrust his providence, though we have had large experience of his appearing for us in various instances (Joshua 7:7; Joshua 7:9; 1 Samuel 27:1; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 Chronicles 16:8; Psalms 68:19);
5. When we doubt the truth or certain accomplishment of the promises (Genesis 18:12; Psalms 77:8-9; Isaiah 49:14);
6. When we decline great services, though called to them by God, under a pretence of our unfitness for them (Jeremiah 1:6; Jeremiah 1:8).
The consideration of this doctrine should lead us —
1. To seek happiness in God alone, and not in human things (Jeremiah 2:13);
2. To commit all our wants and trials to him (1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9; Hebrews 11:19);
3. To be courageous in the midst of danger and opposition (Psalms 27:1);
4. To be satisfied with his dispensations (Romans 8:28);
5. To persevere in the path of duty, however difficult (Genesis 17:1). See Ridgley, Body of Div. quest. 17; Saurin, Sermons, vol. 1, ser. 5; Barrow, Works, vol. 2, ser. 11.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'All-Sufficiency of God'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/all-sufficiency-of-god.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
