Don Stewart :: Can Humans Become God?

From time to time throughout our history there have been those who claim that humans are God or that humans can become God. The Mormon Church, for example, teaches that Mormons have the power to attain godhood. Does the Bible teach that we can become God?

This Is A False Promise

The false promise that man can become God goes as far back as the first man, Adam. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden the only negative commandment God gave them was not to eat of fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent appeared to them and disputed God:

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5).

When they ate of the fruit they did not become as God as the serpent promised. Rather they brought sin into the world and were banished from God's presence. Satan, however, has been telling people that lie ever since. And, unfortunately, people still believe it.

The Nature Of God Prohibits It

The reason humankind cannot become God is because of the nature of God. God did not become God at some certain point. He has been, is, and always will be God. He is the eternal infinite God. There is nothing lacking in His character and He needs nothing to exist. He is adequate in and by Himself.

Moreover He is the only God who now exists or ever will exist:

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the First and I am the Last; besides me there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).

Isaiah also wrote.

You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after me (Isaiah 43:10).

Humankind Is Finite

Humankind, on the other hand, is a finite limited creature. There was a time when humanity did not exist. When humankind came into being it was because of the will of God. Humanity cannot exist by themself. Humans are not self-sustaining. We need food, air, water, to stay alive. Without these and other things humanity would perish.

God Grants Everlasting Life To Believers

The Bible says that God will grant everlasting life to those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. But this will not mean humans will become God. Each individual must depend upon God for everlasting life. Those who promise that humans can become God either do not understand the differences between the creature and the Creator or are deliberately perverting the truth of God.

Summary

It is impossible for human beings to become God. This false promise was given to Eve back in the Garden of Eden. The reason humans cannot become God has to do with the nature of God. God, is God by nature. He did not become God at some certain point in time. Human beings are finite. There was a time when human beings did not exist but there has never been a time when God has not existed. It is the difference between the creature and the Creator.