There are some things in life that cannot be done. No matter how much they would like to see it done, no matter how hard they try, there are some things that just cannot be done. For example, no human being can change God’s natural laws. In this material world, no one can relive the past. We only live in the present and can only move forward. Time is so fixed that it cannot be stopped, reversed or moved forward. No one can keep the sun from rising in the morning, or setting in the evening. These things are fixed, and man’s puny efforts to change them will always fail. Man has to accept them, and work within the perimeters of the fixed laws.
Just as one cannot undo or change God’s natural laws, it is also true in the spiritual realm. Man cannot change God’s laws. Let’s notice some examples of some things that God has fixed, but people have tried to change. But, it cannot be done.
God’s eternal purposes cannot be overthrown. No matter how hard they have tried, whether the devil, the rebellion and neglect of sinful men, even death and the grave, they have all failed to prevent God from accomplishing that which He has purposed. It just cannot be done. A cursory reading of the Old Testament reveals a variety of examples of God purposing something that came to pass just as He said. The OT scribes continually affirmed this truth. “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations” Ps.119: 89-90. “Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” Isa.46:11. “…Because I have spoken. I have purposed and will not relent” Jer.4:28. Whatever God has determined will happen in the way He has chosen, at the time He has set. Man cannot undo it.
This can be clearly seen in the unfolding of His plan of redemption finally accomplished in His Son. The lapse of many centuries didn’t hinder God from His eternal purpose in Christ from being fulfilled Eph.1:3-10; 3:10-11. Sadly, many have not learned this. They think they can prevent or change what God has purposed. We all need to take heed to the words of Gamalieh, “But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God” Acts 5:39.
No one can live after the flesh and please God. “So, then those who are in the flesh cannot please God” Rom.8:8. What is meant by this? In this passage, “In the flesh,” is not talking of man’s existence in a fleshly body (the material substance of which all men and beasts are formed 1.Cor.15:39). It is talking of those who are being governed by sinful passions, “the fleshly lusts which war against the soul” 1.Pet.2:11, and walk “according to the course of this world…fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath” Eph.2:2-3. One living in this fashion is said to be “livingafter the flesh” and such a one cannot please God. Such a life is enmity against God who is pure and holy Isa.6:3; Rev.4:6; Rom.8:7; Jas.4:1-4. So those living for the fleshly lusts stand separated from God. No matter how much they may desire it, they are unable to approach God for He allows nothing defiled and sinful into His presence. It just cannot be done. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” Isa.59:2.
Because God loves man and does not desire them to remain separated from Him He provided a plan by which sinful men could be reconciled to Him through Hs Son Jesus Christ 2.Cor.5:18-21. Through His blood they can have their iniquities removed, enabling them to come into His presence. “God, who is rich in mercy; because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” Eph.2:4-5. Christ Jesus became the redeeming sacrifice 1.Pet.1:19; Eph.1:7; 2:6 by which one can be reborn, renewed in the Spirit and made alive with Him. Those who obey Him and His commandments will no longer walk “in the flesh,” (after the flesh). Instead they will be “led by the Spirit” and be “the children of God” Heb.5:9; Rom.8:9; 14-17. They will now be pleasing to God, something they could not do when they walked after the flesh.
Another thing that cannot be done is to be saved after dying lost. If one refuses to quit living after the flesh and turn to Christ they are lost. Jesus is the only way of salvation, there is no other way Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12; Jn.6:68-69. You have been given sufficient time to turn to Christ and obey Him Rom.6:3-7, 16-18. You cannot be saved after dying lost for God has revealed no plan of salvation for man if he dies in a lost condition. If you refuse all your opportunities and die without obeying Him you will be lost for eternity. We know this is true when we read Lk.16:19-31. When the rich man died he found himself in Hades (the place of departed souls) tormented in flames. He didn’t like it. He wanted to be comforted like Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. He wanted to change his lost status, but Abraham told him it was too late. It was impossible to be saved after dying lost. “There is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from here pass to you” Lk.16:26.
One more thing I want to mention in this article that cannot be done is that man cannot escape death and the judgment. Some have said the only two things that are certain are death and taxes, but most forget about the judgment to come. Yet, both death and the judgment are inevitable Heb.9:27. Death is so obvious it cannot be denied. Men have accepted the fact that sooner or later death comes to all. We may seek to prolong life on earth, but none of us will live forever. While most don’t want to think of a judgment to come and many deny it, both are inevitable. They cannot escape the judgment Heb.9:27.
Remember, the things determined by God cannot be undone, no matter how badly some might want to do so. Let God be true. His word is forever settled in heaven and it is impossible for Him to lie Rom.3:4; Ps.119:89; Heb.6:18. We cannot overthrow God’s purposes, and we cannot please God by walking after the flesh, so accept God’s plan and His conditions. Learn to “walk circumspectly…redeeming the time” (walk and use time wisely) Eph.5:15-16 during the years allotted us on this earth. In this way we will be saved out of this wicked world. Quit living “after the flesh.” Allow yourself to be “led by the Spirit” as “the children of God.” In this way your salvation is assured, and you will be prepared for death and the judgment when the Lord returns.
Tommy Thornhill