“Being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, we have obtained an inheritance in [Christ]” (Ephesians 1:11).
God is the all-powerful, all-powerful owner and ruler of everything. All of creation is at His disposal. He has the authority to carry out all of His intentions and is not beholden to anyone. “He works all things according to the counsel of His will,” to put it succinctly. This quality of God is known as His “sovereignty.” God’s omnipotence and omniscience are intimately associated with His sovereignty. In this post, we’ll look at how the Bible describes the Lord’s sovereignty.
Sovereignty in God’s creation
The Bible does not use the term “sovereignty” in its entirety, but it does define its qualities. For instance, God’s sovereignty is made clear in the world’s creation in Genesis 1. In contrast to the creation myths of the ancient Near East, God created the world without having to battle the forces of chaos. No, He commanded, and it remained steadfast; He spoke, and it manifested (Psalm 33:9). Thus, God not only possesses the ability to create the world, but He also has no responsibility to disclose how He accomplishes it. He has made this decision permanently, as stated in Psalm 33:11, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever.”
Sovereignty in God’s dealings with people
God’s sovereignty is evident in the way that He controls all human behavior. You [have the freedom] to read this article or not, for instance, and you are accountable for your actions. The Bible tells us, yet, that God also sovereignly controls human behavior in ways that are opaque to us. As demonstrated by the tale of Joseph and his brothers, he has the ability to turn people’s bad intentions around for the better: “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.” Genesis 50:20.
On the other hand, God can also decide to allow people to continue in their evil deeds, as was the case in the history of Israel in Egypt and Pharaoh: “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.” (Exodus 8:19). Pharaoh did not listen, but deliberately shut himself off from God’s voice and the plagues God sent as a warning. This happened in accordance with God’s plan. He sovereignly directed events in order to demonstrate His power and glory: “Then the LORD said to Moses, Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.” (Exodus 11:9-10).
Sovereignty or despotism?
God’s omnipotence can encounter significant opposition. Is He not a despot or tyrant who acts however He pleases? Is it not unjust that God shows mercy to certain people but not to others? (Romans 9–15).
The apostle Paul was aware of people asking, “Why does God blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” (Romans 9:19). He replies: “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me like this? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” (Romans 9:20-21). In other words, just as a pot literally has nothing to say about how it is made, we too should have an attitude of reverence and humility toward God. Paul writes in the next verses that God is very patient with people who go against Him. God is not a despot, but a patient and merciful God, who, however, does not allow people to mock Him forever.
God’s omnipotence provides solace to His people. “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth,” is a confession shared by Christians across all eras and locations. Therefore, rather than frightening us, God’s omnipotence and sovereignty are aspects of his fatherly care: “I know you are capable of anything, and nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.” Job 42:2. “Do two sparrows not fetch a penny each? And all of them together with your Father will not come to an end. However, every hair on your head has a unique number. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than a flock of sparrows. (See Matthew 10:29).
Everything still follows God’s sovereign will plan, even when it appears that everything is going wrong and that God’s promises are not being fulfilled (Isaiah 45:7–13). “Because we are aware that everything happens for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28).
