“God possesses an infinite power of cognition.”

Regrettably, the fact that God is infinite (or immeasurably large) is a dogma not yet covered (be aware that it will be in the future). This is regrettable to me because it is part of the basis of God's infinite power of cognition.

God's attributes are also His essence (as we have seen). In other words, God is what He does (this gives rise to the phrase, “God is love”). One attribute of God is that He cognates, but if that is synonymous with this infinite essence, then we know that He has an infinite power of cognition!

What does this mean? Well, we hazily see through what we plan to do, at best thinking only 12 or 14 moves ahead, while regularly we just run blindfolded and with scissors. God however, knows the endgame before the start. This is where we get the protoevangelium of Genesis 3 (that Christ will strike the serpents head), or potentially the genealogical list of Genesis 5 (which I have no proof, but have heard reads “Man (Adam) appointed (Seth) mortal (Enosh) sorrow (Kenan), the blessed God (Mahalalel) shall come down (Jared) teaching (Enoch), his death shall bring (Methuselah) the despairing (Lamech) comfort, rest (Noah)”), or any of the other countless foreshadows of Christ.

This should be a great fortifier for us, because from His infinite love (which I'm not sure is a certified dogma [I haven't finished Dr. Ott's book], but at the very least every Sunday School child knows it) and infinite cognition we can rest assured that we are in the best possible of all possible worlds. His cognition allows Him to plan out the very best strategy, and His love motivates it for good. Imagine a better strategist that Shikamaru working to plan out the best possible world for you to live in, while still giving you freedom to chose bad options. With what care and intricacy He must work out seemingly random events, all simply so that you end your life in paradise. That itch on your leg which causes you to leave for work 2 seconds later than you would have? Who knows if that wasn't part of God's plan so that another driver would need to slow down for you, causing another driver to miss an accident entirely and save a life so that three years latter that person could come to know God. When you can think through all the options, you can give people the very best without them knowing it was a plan. God's infinite cognition allows us to rest in full comfort of His love, knowing that not only does He love us, but He knows how best to enact that love in our life.

How often have I wondered on the prudence of giving money to someone outside a liquor store. Indeed, we are to “give to everyone who asks”(cf. Luke 6:30), but we are supposed to give what they need, not enable them to fall further. God knows when to hold us close and give us the handout of mercy, but also when to chastise us with judgement to bring round our heart to full love of Him. Me? I'm still learning how to plan just one move a head, and to give that which my fellow person needs as opposed to what they ask for.

Further Reading: Jonah, a foreshadow for Christ. Jonah Chapter 1
NB – Jonah is quite a short read, I recommend reading all four chapters in one sitting to get a full grasp of the story. The USCCB Bible has a link at the bottom of the chapter to progress to the subsequent chapter.

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