Acts 17:22–25 (ESV) – 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

When theologians speak of God’s aseity, they are speaking of his independence. God stands completely outside of all of creation. He is not dependent on us or any other being or thing for his existence or to complete him in some way. He is.

We, on the other hand, are completely dependent on God. As Acts 17:28 tells us, “In him we live and move and have our being.” We are his creation and rely on him to sustain us at every moment. We can see his goodness and glory in his provision for us each and every day. And we can place our trust in him because we know he depends on no other.

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