Sovereign?

It's a common question. Is God actually Sovereign? "Yes," Christians affirm, but I put that "actually" there for a reason. We also affirm free will (with vague definition), so clearly we make choices. God doesn't make our choices for us. (There are those who argue against free will, but that won't work biblically, so let's not go there.) So how does that work? How do we have free will if God is actually Sovereign? This dichotomy causes all sorts of problems. The common perception is that God allows our bad choices and then works around them to produce a positive result. He had a better option, but we just made Him work harder with our poor choices. Maybe the negative consequences in our lives serve as punishment. So, well, yes, we affirm free will and God's Sovereignty, but He's still chasing our tails, so to speak, trying to get things back in line after we go muddling with it. But ... what does Scripture say?

God is Absolutely Sovereign

God is not "mostly sovereign." We like to think He's "sovereign" by which we mean He's mostly sovereign, but gives up some of His sovereignty to us. He retains overall sovereignty, but we still supply some good or ... make a mess of things. Scripture says, "Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases" (Psa 115:3). Whatever He pleases. No purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2). He always does what He intends (Isa 14:24). He does as He pleases and no one can stop Him (Dan 4:35). He even controls governments (Prov 21:1). He is not a sovereign; He is the "only Sovereign" (1 Tim 6:15). "YHWH has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" (Psa 103:19). Over all. Abraham Kuyper wrote, "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'" Absolute Sovereignty.

We Have Free Will

We do make choices for which we are held accountable. Joshua told Israel, "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve," (Josh 24:15), nonsensical if we don't get to choose. Paul wrote, "Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord" (Eph 6:8). We make choices. "Solomon says, "The heart of man plans his way, but YHWH establishes his steps" (Prov 16:9). We make choices, but God is ultimately in charge. If Scripture is to be believed, "From Him and through Him and to Him are all things" (Rom 11:36) ... including your bad choices. But, Scripture holds both that God is Sovereign and we are responsible for our choices. In Luke, Jesus, talking about His betrayal, is quoted as saying, "For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" (Luke 22:22). In that, you see "determined" -- God's inexorable plan -- and "woe" -- the one who chooses to betray Him is held responsible for his choice. Perhaps this concept is seen most clearly in Genesis when Joseph's brothers apologized for what they did to Joseph. He told them, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (Gen 50:20). Pay close attention. First, intent. They didn't intend good; they intended evil. No excuses; no justification. "But God ..." God intended good. Note it doesn't say, "God turned it into good." The language requires that when they intended evil, God intended good. God saw their evil intent and used it to produce His intended good. God's Sovereignty and our culpability.

Not all Pain is Punishment

Obviously punishment is painful, but a common misconception is that all pain is punishment. Scripture disagrees. The disciples assumed the man born blind suffered under punishment (John 9:2); Jesus told them he was made that way for God's glory (John 9:3). Scripture says, "The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives" (Heb 12:6). "Wait," some will say, "doesn't 'discipline' mean 'punish'?" No, not necessarily. "Punishment" is a penalty, while "discipline" is a training method. "Punishment" is punative while "discipline" is corrective. Believers, then, can never be "punished" for sin because our sin has been paid for. They can be "disciplined" as a result of sin, not as punishment, but as a corrective action. And not all pain is punishment or discipline, as in Paul's famous "thorn in the flesh" example where he was simply being taught not to exalt himself, but to be content with Christ (2 Cor 12:7-10).

God is Never Caught Off Guard

Still, we tend to think that our sinful choices fall outside God's plan. We fear that our choices can sabotage God's best plans for our lives. But God knows all things from the beginning (Psa 139:16). He doesn't have a "Plan B" for your life. His plan for your life is written before you are born. God doesn't cause your sin, but He knows about it in advance, plans for it, and uses it. You intend it for evil, but God intends it for good. Ultimately, we even know what that good is. "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:28-29). What is the good? We are being conformed to the image of His Son. Why is it good "to those who love God"? Because that is the ultimate goal of everyone who loves God.

Sin is bad. No excuses. And we all sin. No exceptions. We all live with our choices and we all regret some. But we live under a Sovereign God who does anything and everything He pleases. No one can change that. He always accomplishes the good He intends, even if it's a seemingly circuitous route through bad choices and sin. Our loving Father will discipline us -- even though our sins are forgiven -- not as punishment, but as training, because He is always accomplishing His will and His ultimate will is to have His people shaped into a reflection of His Son. Without fail. Because He is ... the only Sovereign. You? You're just not that powerful.