Both the scriptural evidence and proper theological reflection demonstrate that God is sovereign over His creation in general. But
there is a commonly held view that God has limited His sovereignty when it
comes to human choices. This popular view is due more to human philosophy than
to God’s revelation, for the Bible clearly declares God’s sovereignty over the
human will.
God’s sovereignty in the will of the
lost is demonstrated in Scripture. God is presented as sovereign in judging the
wicked by hardening their will against His Word in Romans 9:17-18, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For
this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and
that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on
whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” God is presented as
sovereign in the saving His elect from their lost condition by the intervention
of His Word in Acts 9:1-6,
But Saul, still breathing threats and
murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the
synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or
women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a
voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he
said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you
will be told what you are to do.”
God’s sovereignty in the will of believers is also
demonstrated in Scripture. God is presented as sovereign over our hearts’
desires in Psa 37:4, “Delight
yourself in the LORD, and he
will give you the desires of your heart.” God is specifically presented as sovereign over our desire
to do His will in Phil 2:12-13,
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,
not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work
for his good pleasure.
God is in control. There is no corner of the universe–even
within the human heart–outside of God’s control.
Labels: Bible study, Reformation Theology
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