Divine Sovereignty
Dear Phil,
What does it mean that God is sovereign?
Dan
What does it mean that God is sovereign?
Dan
Dear Dan,
I frequently encounter folks in Wesleyan–Arminian circles who are uncomfortable with the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. This is unfortunate, because the sovereignty of God is, I believe, a most soul–comforting truth.
The word “sovereign” means a ruler or king. Scripture teaches that God is king (Ps 97:1). He is the everlasting King (Jer 10:10), the Most High King (Dan 4:17), the King of the nations (Rev 15:3), the great king over all the earth (Ps 47:2), the Lord of kings (Dan 2:47), the King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15). He rules over all (Ps 103:19), and of his dominion there shall be no end (Dan 4:34).
As King, God’s sovereign power is limitless (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17). He commands the weather—clouds, rain, lightning, hail, snow, and wind all obey his will (Ps 148:8; Amos 4:7). Animals obey him (Lev 26:6; Dan 6:22). He controls who rules among the nations (Dan 4:32). He sets up and puts down (Ps 75:7). None can stay his hand (Dan 4:35; Job 42:2) or reverse his actions (Isa 43:13). He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth (Ps 115:3; 135:6). He plans and brings it to pass (Isa 14:24). He sustains all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). He is accountable to no one, and no created being has the right to question him or call him to account (Rom 9:20–21). He works all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph 1:11).
You may wonder, does Ephesians 1:11 mean that God determines all things? The answer is No. For example, in Jeremiah 19:5 God says, “[They] have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind.” If such horrible, sinful actions did not “come into God’s mind,” then he certainly did not plan them or decree them (cf. Jer 7:31; 32:35).
Isaiah 10:5–19 also indicates God does not determine all things. God sent Assyria to judge Israel by taking spoil, seizing plunder, and treading them down like the mire of the streets (Isa 10:6). However, Assyria determined “to destroy and to cut off many nations” (Isa 10:7 HCSB). In others words, they determined to be harsher than God intended them to be. If God determined all things, then Assyria could not have done something different from what God had determined (cf. Zech 1:15; 2 Chr 28:1–15).
So then, to what degree does God’s sovereignty impinge upon the freedom He has given us? The “space” God gives us for the exercise of our will is limited in many ways. Our freedom does not include choosing our parents, our place of birth, our genetic makeup, or our siblings (cf. Ps 139:15–16). Nor does it include the time of our death, the consequences of our actions, or the nature and extent of our eternal reward (cf. Ezek 18:20; John 3:18). God has sovereignly determined these aspects of our life for us.
In each of the decisions we make in life, we often find fewer options than we would have wished. God providentially widens and narrows the limits of our freedom as he chooses. We have no say in the degree of freedom God chooses to give us at any point in time. Sometimes God constrains men to do his will contrary to their own will (Isa 37:29). At other times, God works within the hearts of men to stir them to want to do his will (Ezra 1:5). Yet again, God may leave us to see what is in our hearts (2 Chr 32:31).
In the matter of salvation, none would seek God apart from His grace (Rom 3:10–18). Yet, God has sovereignly chosen to enable all men to respond to the grace He gives them (Rom 1:20) and holds them responsible for what they do with that choice (Rom 2:11–12). Because God is sovereign, nothing can come into the life of a child of God without His permission. Satan and his forces are on a leash, and can go no farther than God chooses (Job 1:10–12). What comfort! Praise the Lord!
Blessings,
Phil
I frequently encounter folks in Wesleyan–Arminian circles who are uncomfortable with the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. This is unfortunate, because the sovereignty of God is, I believe, a most soul–comforting truth.
The word “sovereign” means a ruler or king. Scripture teaches that God is king (Ps 97:1). He is the everlasting King (Jer 10:10), the Most High King (Dan 4:17), the King of the nations (Rev 15:3), the great king over all the earth (Ps 47:2), the Lord of kings (Dan 2:47), the King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15). He rules over all (Ps 103:19), and of his dominion there shall be no end (Dan 4:34).
As King, God’s sovereign power is limitless (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17). He commands the weather—clouds, rain, lightning, hail, snow, and wind all obey his will (Ps 148:8; Amos 4:7). Animals obey him (Lev 26:6; Dan 6:22). He controls who rules among the nations (Dan 4:32). He sets up and puts down (Ps 75:7). None can stay his hand (Dan 4:35; Job 42:2) or reverse his actions (Isa 43:13). He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth (Ps 115:3; 135:6). He plans and brings it to pass (Isa 14:24). He sustains all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). He is accountable to no one, and no created being has the right to question him or call him to account (Rom 9:20–21). He works all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph 1:11).
You may wonder, does Ephesians 1:11 mean that God determines all things? The answer is No. For example, in Jeremiah 19:5 God says, “[They] have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind.” If such horrible, sinful actions did not “come into God’s mind,” then he certainly did not plan them or decree them (cf. Jer 7:31; 32:35).
Isaiah 10:5–19 also indicates God does not determine all things. God sent Assyria to judge Israel by taking spoil, seizing plunder, and treading them down like the mire of the streets (Isa 10:6). However, Assyria determined “to destroy and to cut off many nations” (Isa 10:7 HCSB). In others words, they determined to be harsher than God intended them to be. If God determined all things, then Assyria could not have done something different from what God had determined (cf. Zech 1:15; 2 Chr 28:1–15).
So then, to what degree does God’s sovereignty impinge upon the freedom He has given us? The “space” God gives us for the exercise of our will is limited in many ways. Our freedom does not include choosing our parents, our place of birth, our genetic makeup, or our siblings (cf. Ps 139:15–16). Nor does it include the time of our death, the consequences of our actions, or the nature and extent of our eternal reward (cf. Ezek 18:20; John 3:18). God has sovereignly determined these aspects of our life for us.
In each of the decisions we make in life, we often find fewer options than we would have wished. God providentially widens and narrows the limits of our freedom as he chooses. We have no say in the degree of freedom God chooses to give us at any point in time. Sometimes God constrains men to do his will contrary to their own will (Isa 37:29). At other times, God works within the hearts of men to stir them to want to do his will (Ezra 1:5). Yet again, God may leave us to see what is in our hearts (2 Chr 32:31).
In the matter of salvation, none would seek God apart from His grace (Rom 3:10–18). Yet, God has sovereignly chosen to enable all men to respond to the grace He gives them (Rom 1:20) and holds them responsible for what they do with that choice (Rom 2:11–12). Because God is sovereign, nothing can come into the life of a child of God without His permission. Satan and his forces are on a leash, and can go no farther than God chooses (Job 1:10–12). What comfort! Praise the Lord!
Blessings,
Phil