Things God Cannot Do

God cannot be partial

God’s Righteousness Requires Absolute Impartiality

The act of Partiality is favoritism or bias. To show favoritism is to give preference to one person over others with equal claims. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines partiality as “favoritism”, “unfair”, “inequity”, and “unjustness”  and gives example of the injustice of partiality, “The former judge had been accused of gross neglect of duty, gross partiality and oppression in office, lack of proper temperament and failure to supervise her office, according to a petition by John Kane, the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court”.

Scripture explicitly teaches that God’s righteousness is inseparable from His impartiality (Romans 2:11, Genesis 18:25). If God were partial—favoring one person over another without a righteous basis—He would cease to be:

• just
• holy
• true
• righteous

This aligns with the doctrine of divine justice: God’s judgments are always consistent with His own perfect nature. God’s Impartiality Applies to Both Judgment and Grace. Scripture applies God’s impartiality in two directions:

1. Impartial in Judgment (1 Peter 1:17)
   • God does not:
     1. overlook sin
     2. excuse sin
     3. minimize sin
     4. judge based on status, ethnicity, or privilege
     5. Every sin must be punished.
2. Impartial in Grace
   1. Grace is offered to all on the same basis:
      • “Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish.” — John 3:16
      • “There is no distinction… the same Lord is Lord of all.” — Romans 10:12
   2. Grace is not dispensed based on:
      1. merit
      2. background
      3. worthiness
      4. personal qualities

Grace is given in Christ, not in the creature. 

This aligns with divine love and divine righteousness working in harmony.

God’s Impartiality Creates a Problem for Fallen Humanity

If God must judge impartially, then:

• • all sin must be punished
  • no one can escape judgment
  • no one can earn righteousness
  • no one can claim special treatment

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

This means:

• • God cannot simply “forgive” without justice
  • God cannot overlook sin
  • God cannot be partial toward sinners

If He did, He would cease to be righteous.

The Cross Is Where God’s Impartial Justice and Impartial Grace Meet

Paul explains this with precision (Romans 3:26):

At the cross:

• • God’s justice is satisfied
  • God’s wrath is poured out
  • God’s righteousness is upheld
  • God’s grace is offered impartially

This is the harmony of justice and love.

Grace Is Impartial Because It Is Offered “In Christ,” Not in the Creature

God does not dispense grace based on:

• • human worth
  • human effort
  • human goodness

Grace is dispensed in Christ alone.

“By grace you have been saved… it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

This means:

• • God is impartial because all must come the same way
  • God is righteous because Christ bore the penalty
  • God is loving because He provides salvation freely

This aligns with union with Christ as the basis of salvation.

Impartiality Continues Into Glorification

God does not glorify believers based on:

• • spiritual performance
  • earthly status
  • personal merit

All believers are glorified in Christ, not in themselves (Romans 8:30)

Glorification is:

• • impartial
  • guaranteed
  • rooted in Christ’s righteousness
  • the completion of God’s plan

This aligns with glorification as participation in Christ’s life.

Summary: God’s Righteousness Requires Impartiality

Putting it all together:

• • God cannot be righteous and partial
  • God cannot be loving and unjust
  • God cannot forgive without satisfying justice
  • God cannot dispense grace based on favoritism
  • God cannot overlook sin without violating His nature
  • God cannot glorify apart from Christ

Therefore:

God’s impartiality is not a limitation—it is the expression of His perfect righteousness. The cross is the only way God can remain righteous while saving sinners.