THE TRANSCENDENCE OF GOD.
Geoffrey R. Kirkland
Christ Fellowship Bible Church (STL), pastor
The Lord is “high and lifted up and greatly exalted” (Isaiah 52.13). This speaks of the TRANSCENDENCE OF GOD. This wonder attribute of God’s transcendence speaks to His essential quality of being high above and superior to anything and everything in all of creation. This is not something that God becomes or grows into but it speaks to the unending, unchanging, and continuous state of His glorious Being. God is highly exalted (Exodus 15.1). Quite simply: the transcendence of God means that God’s glorious Being is royally exalted in perfect and pure and sovereign and secure dignity. God alone is “enthroned on high” (Psalm 113.5).
God is transcendent in His BEING. God is exalted above all the peoples (Psalm 99.2). No one can relate to God because He alone far surpasses all other gods, all men, and everything in creation. This attribute of God that splendidly flows from His essential nature underscores His holiness, majesty, glory and worth.
God is transcendent in His POWER. God is exalted in His mighty strength (Psalm 21.13). God’s nature is limitless and His being is perfect and unmatched. At the same time, our God who is transcendently powerful is also intimately present and involved in our lives.
God is transcendent in His UNIQUENESS. God brings down rulers (Luke 1.52) but He alone is exalted (Isaiah 57.15). God is totally independent from all His creation. He succeeds over His creation and is Lord over His creation. Nothing can compare with God for He alone is greater. None is higher. None is more worthy than our Lord! What likeness would we compare with God (Isaiah 40.18)?
God is transcendent in His SUPERIORITY. God is exalted even above the heavens (Psalm 57.5). At God’s right hand there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16.11).
While all of this is true, let us guard from any hint of deistic thinking. This error asserts that God is distant, uninvolved, unconcerned, and not working in His creation. Not so! The Bible teaches the exact opposite. Our sovereign and transcendent God is active working all things together for good (Romans 8.28) and He promises to accomplish all His will (Isaiah 9.7; 46.10). God’s grace comes to us through the working of His power (Ephesians 3.7).
Marvel today at your transcendent God who sits in heaven, reigning over all things in existence, high above all nations and kings and rulers and angelic authorities! Consider your God. Rest in His power. Find comfort in His love. Remember His strong grip on you. Ponder His exalted loftiness with a heart of humble awe and heartfelt praise.
