The "Sovereignty" Of God

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Wednesday May 21, 2008

I've heard people teach that God is "SOVEREIGN", and then they go on to explain how God caused this and that bad thing to happen in their lives, in order that such and such good thing could happen.

The interesting thing about that is that it's not Biblical. In order for God to cause something bad to happen in your life, He would have to have control of not only YOU, but the evil earthly force BEHIND the bad thing that happened to you.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
9. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

If God were in control of everyone, then why would He have to be PATIENT with US??? Why would He want us to "come to repentence" if He was already in control, and could just MAKE us???

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4. who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Why would God want us to PRAY for our leaders if He was just going to use them anyway??? And since God desires ALL to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, if He were in control, He could just cause it to happen!!

One of the main arguments I've heard people use for God being "in control" of everything is 1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

It says in this verse that a temptation will SEIZE us. Does that mean GOD caused it to "seize" us???

James 1:13,14 (NIV)
13. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14. but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

God does not tempt ANYONE!! That means when you are "seized" by a temptation, GOD DID NOT CAUSE IT!!!

But perhaps the easiest way to prove that God is NOT controlling our circumstances is the simple Gospel message of John 3:16-18

John 3:16-18 (NIV)
16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

According to verse 16, God gave His Son so that WHOEVER believes in Him will have eternal life! WHOEVER! That means ANYONE!

Not only that, but verse 17 tells us that God sent His Son to SAVE the WHOLE WORLD; and NOT to condemn it! In other words, God's intent in sending Jesus to the world was TO SAVE the world! God did not predestine ANYONE to go to hell!

Then there's verse 18; the real kicker. Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is NOT condemned. Whoever DOES NOT believe IS CONDEMNED BECAUSE HE CHOSE NOT TO BELIEVE! The whole basis for judgement demands that man have a free will and not be controlled by God.

In THAT sense, God is NOT "sovereign" in the way many people believe He is!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for sending Your Son Jesus into the world to save me. Thank you for making me a new creation in Christ, with Your righteousness in my human spirit. Help me to understand Your Word so my mind will be renewed with Your thoughts and Your ways.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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