God’s Sovereignty

The tension between God’s sovereignty and human free will is a challenging one to get our heads around. If God is not sovereign (in control of everything), then we can’t be sure that He can keep His promises. On the other hand, if everything is controlled by God and humans don’t have free will, then we can’t really be held accountable for our actions. We’re just robots. This is a dilemma that has engaged the church for 2000 years. It’s particularly applicable to how we become Christians. Did God choose me (God is sovereign), or did I choose God (human free will)? Or are both somehow true? The New Testament has a lot to say on this tension. Let’s explore one of the relevant passages of Scripture.

Explore: Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)

EPH 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Journal

1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?

2. What would I like to discuss/explore further?

3. What do I need to do?

4. What does this passage say about God’s sovereignty and human free will in being saved?

Reflect

Paul (the author) makes it very clear that God was sovereign in our salvation. We were “chosen” by God according to His “plan.” God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (1:11 NIV). Paul is saying that God is in charge and that He chooses who He wishes. This makes sense. We were trapped by sin and there was no way out without God’s intervention. He had to make the move to rescue us in His sovereignty. We were too broken and separated from God to make that choice ourselves.

This understanding of God’s sovereignty in our salvation leaves us feeling both deeply humble and hugely secure. We are humble because we recognise that we didn’t make a better choice than others, but that God made the call. He chose us. Out of all the people in the world, God adopted us as his children. It was completely undeserved. What a privilege. We are secure because if God made the choice, then He will never let us go. He has made His call and will never change His mind. We have been chosen and adopted by the sovereign God and we’re His for keeps. We will be in His family forever.

Yet in the same paragraph, Paul describes the process of our salvation as hearing the gospel, believing the truth, and then being marked by the seal of God’s Spirit (1:13). This is how it looks from a human perspective. We make a free choice to believe the gospel and then receive the Holy Spirit. God is at work in us, but there comes a point where we have to make a personal choice. God doesn’t do this for us – we have free will. As you believed, you were saved by Jesus (John 3:16).

This understanding of human free-will helps us take seriously our own accountability and our need to share the gospel. We have made a call to follow Jesus that we have to pursue. God holds us accountable for the way we follow Him and asks us to choose to serve Him until the end. Following Jesus is a decision we need to make every day of our lives. Also, we need to share the gospel with others. Because people have to make a choice, we seek to inform and encourage them to believe.

So the Bible teaches that God is completely sovereign and that humans have free will. Both are true. Some Christians elevate one of these beliefs above the other. That’s understandable and may be true. Personally, I think that it’s best to hold completely to both. Yes, they appear to be incompatible to our tiny minds, but that’s to be expected when dealing with our infinite, holy God. We can live healthily in the tension.

Pray

Thank you, Lord, that You are sovereign. You chose me to be your child before the beginning of the world, and because of that, I know that I will be with You forever. I have no idea why you would choose me, but I am deeply appreciative of Your grace. I want You to know that this choosing is mutual. I will follow You for the rest of my life and will look for opportunities to share Your good news with my friends because they need to hear about Your grace. Please use me, Lord.

Respond

Some people say that God’s sovereignty is mainly a doctrine for Christians (God has chosen us) and human free will is mainly a doctrine for not-yet Christians (they need to choose God). I’m not sure about that, but as a Christian, it is certainly helpful to understand and meditate on God’s sovereignty and its implications. Spend some time focusing on God choosing you as His child. Let the ramifications of this sink deep into you. You have been chosen by God.

Written by John Sweetman