A Neglected and Misunderstood Truth About God<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

By Steve Cornell 

One of the more important and yet controversial teachings of the Bible is that God is sovereign. In referring to God as sovereign, we mean that he is superior or supreme. He is the ultimate and final power controlling all things. As one has stated, "God does whatever he chooses to do, whenever he chooses to do it, wherever he chooses, involving whomsoever he wishes to involve."    
The biblical teaching on the sovereignty of God answers the question, "Who or What is in control?" Does it all come down to good luck or bad luck? Are we all victims of fate? "Que Sera, Sera" - "whatever will be, will be?"   
Among Christian churches, a variety of viewpoints on God's sovereignty can be found - especially in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Lancaster, Pennsylvania (USA) where I minister. In specific, those of Arminian background have been slow to accept the full extent of God's sovereignty as presented in Scripture.             
Consider God's own description of his sovereignty, "… I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done. Saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure'; … Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it" (Isaiah 46:8-11).           
Every history book could have for a preface God's word from II Kings 19:25: "Have you not heard? Long ago I did it; from ancient times I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass …" According to Scripture, God "does according to his will in the host of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off his hand or say to him, What has Thou done?"  (Daniel 4:35).  The God revealed in the Bible is repeatedly recognized as absolutely sovereign over everything. The Psalmist, for example, declared that "the Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in their depths" (Psalms 135:6).            
Concerning the extent of God's sovereignty, "The Lord works out everything for His own ends, even the wicked for a day of disaster" (Proverbs 16:33; Ephesians 1:11). According to Jesus, "if the birds are fed it is because the Father feeds them; if wild flowers grow, it is because God clothes the grass."  Jesus says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?  And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father" (Matthew 10:29).          
God' sovereignty is also exercised over man's salvation. Our choice to receive Christ is preceded by God's choice of us for His salvation - a choice that does not include everyone. Scripture specifically says, "All who were appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48).  The apostle wrote, "… God has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires" (Romans 9:18).           
How do you respond to this teaching about God's sovereignty? It should be of great encouragement to realize that God has a plan that will conquer the seeming chaos of human history. It should cause us to bow down and worship. 
The alternatives are discouraging. To say there is no God, or that God does not care or stands helpless on the sidelines, leads to fatalism and despair. Yet some find a sovereign God too threatening and humbling. Others reason, "If God has control over everything that happens - is he not a cosmic puppeteer pulling our strings when he wants us to dance?"          
In response, it is important to understand that scripture will not tolerate any view of the sovereign control of God that diminishes human responsibility.  N.T. scholar D.A. Carson writes, "At no point whatsoever does the remarkable emphasis on the absoluteness of God's sovereignty mitigate the responsibility of human beings who, like everything else in the universe, fall under God's sway. We tend to use one to diminish the other; we tend to emphasize one at the expense of the other. But responsible reading of the Scripture prohibits such reductionism."
Like God's sovereignty, the responsibility of man includes the details of life.  "I say to you," Jesus declared, "that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36).  According to Scripture, our decisions constitute real causes that produce real effects - for which we will be authentically held accountable. 

The wise teacher wrote, "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Steve Cornell