God’s sovereignty is a concept that touches the very core of our understanding of God’s nature and His relationship with the world. Understanding the sovereignty of God can profoundly impact our perspectives on life, faith, and spiritual growth.
Therefore, in this post, we’ll delve into what God’s sovereignty is, exploring its significance and implications for the Christian life.
What does God’s Sovereignty Mean?
The sovereignty of God refers to His supreme rule, authority, and control over all things. God either causes or allows all things for His purposes and plans to be accomplished, according to His perfect will and timing.
Since God transcends time and space, He is not limited by any external forces or circumstances (Col 1:17). Rather, He exercises His dominion over the entire universe from the vastness of galaxies to the minutest details of our lives.
While you will not find the term sovereign in the Scriptures. God’s sovereignty is intricately woven throughout the pages of the Bible. Some of the verses include:
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 115:3 ESV
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 ESV
Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, Isaiah 46:10 ESV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Romans 9:18 ESV
These verses, among many others in the Bible, portray God as the supreme ruler and sovereign over all creation. They emphasize His authority, knowledge, and control over every aspect of existence. It’s from this understanding that we get the phrase. “God is in control” which is true because He is.
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
Reconciling God’s sovereignty with the reality of free will is one of the most difficult parts of grasping God’s sovereignty. It often raises questions regarding human free will. Usually, the question goes like this: How can God be sovereign, if we have the ability to make choices? And why does he hold us accountable for our choices if He controls everything?
As such, the tension between God’s sovereignty and free will has sparked countless debates. And different theological perspectives exist regarding the extent of God’s sovereignty and human free will.
All in all, it’s important to recognize that God’s sovereignty and free will are not mutually exclusive. Actually, both go hand in hand. How this is possible is a mystery that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend. However, we can embrace the mystery as we seek to have a Biblical, yet balanced understanding of these two concepts.
What we see painted in the Scriptures is that God’s sovereignty does not negate our ability to make choices nor free us from human responsibility. Instead, His sovereignty provides a framework within which our free will operates. Our freedom to choose does not limit God’s authority. On the contrary, it reflects His wisdom in allowing us to participate in His divine plan.
Regardless of specific theological positions, the sovereignty of God implies that even when we make choices, God’s overarching plan is at work, incorporating and harmonizing our actions within His divine purposes.
Divine Providence: An Aspect of God’s Sovereignty
Central to understanding God’s sovereignty is the doctrine of divine providence. This is one of my favorite doctrines that point to the reality of God’s sovereignty in the Bible.
Divine providence refers to God’s wise and purposeful governance of all events and circumstances in the world. It means that nothing happens by chance or outside of God’s knowledge and plan. You must have heard the phrase, “Nothing catches God by surprise.” Well, it’s true.
God uses every area of our lives in a providential way. He uses everything, both good and bad including our sins and failures, to fulfill His plan. While human beings possess free will, in His infinite wisdom, God is able to work within and through those choices to fulfill His sovereign plan.
More than that, even when we face challenges, setbacks, or painful circumstances, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events according to His perfect will for our sake.
Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers in Genesis 37, serves as a fantastic example of this. What his brothers did to Him was downright wicked and sinful. And yet it was through Joseph’s suffering in Egypt that God providentially preserved both the Egyptians and Joseph’s family from famine.
God, in His sovereignty, was able to use a sinful act to bring out a greater good. God’s divine providence was affirmed by Joseph when he said to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen. 50:20).
Paul reiterates this truth, saying, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Thanks to God’s divine providence, we can receive the gift of redemption from sins. God providentially allowed the rulers of Jesus’ day to conspire with the help of Judas to arrest and kill Him (Acts 2:29).
The religious leaders and Judas were responsible for their sins but everything was under God’s complete control. God used man’s opposition, disobedience, and sins to bring about the salvation of mankind. Yet, without excusing sin. For Jesus said, “For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22).
This assures us that even in the face of adversity and uncertainty, we can trust that God is orchestrating everything for His good purpose. Moreover, it confirms that God never fails, even when we do.
Doesn’t that take a huge load off of your shoulders? I mean, what hope do we have if our deliverance is completely based on us and not God’s sovereignty and providence?
It shouldn’t, however, lessen your desire to discover and follow what God has commanded in the Scriptures. At the end of the day, God desires to be glorified through the lives of His saints (Eph 4:1).
To learn more about Divine providence, read God’s Divine Providence: What it is and Why it Matters
Trusting in the Sovereignty of God
Nonetheless. the doctrine of sovereignty is one that humanity despises the most. The idea that God is in charge of everything, oversees everything, and rules over everything offends human pride.
The truth is, we would rather be our own sovereigns, in fact, we think we are. It was the lie that caused God to hurl Satan out of His presence. And the same lie that caused Adam and Eve to be expelled from the garden.
We tend to think we know what’s best for us and we will do whatever it takes to avoid pain and adversity. That’s why the culture finds the idea that we are divine and have the power to control our lives appealing.
It’s no wonder, Christians gravitate towards man-centered teachings which severely undermine God’s sovereignty while promising health, wealth, and prosperity.
Trusting in God’s sovereignty can be challenging, yes. However, understanding and accepting it can bring profound comfort and assurance. In the face of life’s adversity and suffering in the world it reminds us that God is ultimately in control.
Knowing that an all-knowing and all-powerful God is in control can provide a sense of peace and security, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. It reminds us that God is not distant or detached from our lives but actively involved in every detail.
Trusting in His sovereignty also means relinquishing our need for complete understanding and control. Cause let’s face it, trying to play God won’t take us very far. It’ll only leave us more frustrated and depressed because we aren’t built for it.
Instead, we ought to rely on God’s wisdom and love to guide us through life recognizing that His plans and purposes far surpass our limited understanding and that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Related: A Christian Perspective: What Does the Bible Say About Suffering?
Why Understanding God’s Sovereignty is Important
Understanding the sovereignty of God can have profound implications on our personal growth and spiritual maturity. It invites us to surrender our own agendas and align our lives with God’s purposes.
It encourages us to seek His will and guidance by studying the Scriptures knowing that He has our best interest at heart. This, in turn, influences us to approach prayer with humility and surrender, teaching us to say, “Nevertheless, thy will be done” (Matt 6:10; 26:42; James 4:13–16).
Living in light of God’s sovereignty also involves actively relying on God’s sanctifying work in us. Too often, Christians believe that the task of growing into spiritual maturity rests solely on them. But God doesn’t save us and leave the rest to us. Undoubtedly, we should obey and follow Christ. But as we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, we should also put our faith in His ability to lead us to maturity (Phil 1:6; John 10:27-29).
Last but not least, understanding God’s sovereignty can profoundly impact our ability to make choices. When we understand that God is in control, we realize that the process of decision-making doesn’t have to paralyze us. This happens because we are afraid to make mistakes. So much so that we are often tempted to use mystic practices to know God’s sovereign future decree over our lives.
But we needn’t do that. Relying on God’s sovereignty involves understanding that even if we choose the wrong course, all is not lost. God has the capacity to reorient us to the right path. Because of His divine providence, His purposes will certainly prevail over our lives; they can never be thwarted (Prov 19:21; Job 42:2).
Conclusion
Understanding and embracing the sovereignty of God is an ongoing journey. It invites us to develop a deep trust in His divine providence, recognizing that He is in control even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. Embracing God’s sovereignty enables us to find meaning, purpose, and hope in every season of life.
As we surrender to God’s authority, we can navigate life’s complexities with confidence, knowing that the sovereign God we serve is guiding our steps and working all things together for our ultimate good.
The sovereignty of God is a vast subject, I’ve only touched on the tip of the iceberg. If you’d like to further deepen your understanding of the subject, here is a list of articles and sermons that you can read and listen to:
- To learn the three major points of God’s sovereignty: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-sovereignty-of-god/
- To learn the four points the Bible makes about God’s sovereignty: https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/understanding-the-sovereignty-of-god/
- To understand how sin and evil fit into the plan of a sovereign God: https://shema.com/gods-attributes-gods-sovereignty-3035/
- To understand how it is that we are free and yet God is sovereign: https://youtu.be/wQ5cclvdWjo
- To learn how God’s wisdom, justice, and mercy govern God’s Sovereignty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DyZyOqOLrA&ab_channel=DesiringGod
Also, check out our blog post on 4 Lessons about God from the Book of Genesis to see how the sovereignty of God is at play in His other attributes.
