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The Sovereignty of God
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

A good number of Christians have been deceived by a lie. I believe this deception was started by Satan, and has been perpetuated by much of the Church world out of ignorance. This lie concerns the concept of God’s Sovereignty. I eagerly agree with the fact that God is “sovereign,” but I could never agree with how many people have interpreted His sovereignty. This twisted interpretation of God’s sovereignty is a faith killer and equates to nothing less than character assassination. Let me explain.

The word “sovereign”, as we use it in relation to God, means superior to all others in rank, power and authority, acting independently. In other words, God can do anything He wants. No one has power or authority to make God do anything He doesn’t want to do or to stop God from doing anything He does want to do. This is an accurate assessment of God’s nature.

The problem lies, however, in the way religion has subtly perverted this definition of sovereignty. It has become common to teach that, because God is sovereign, everything that happens is God’s will. In other words, every aspect of our life is in the hands, and under the control, of God. I’ve often heard people say something like “I won’t encounter anything today that has not, first, passed through the hand of God.” That may sound good, but it is a concept that has been perpetuated by our culture, not by the evidence of scripture. The intention, of course, is to give us comfort and assurance that everything will work out in the end; after all, God is in control, right?

The truth is, God is not in control of every aspect of our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God does have a plan for every person’s life, but He doesn’t make us walk that path. We are free moral agents. We make the choice to follow God’s plan or not. The level of God’s will in our lives correlates directly to the level of our faithfulness to follow His plan.

The often-taught idea that Jesus is in the driver’s seat and we are just passengers in life is not accurate. Reality is actually the reverse. We are in the driver’s seat and Jesus is in the passenger’s seat giving us directions. If we follow His directions we can expect a relatively safe and enjoyable journey. However, if we neglect to follow His directions and run into a ditch, we can hardly blame it on Jesus. Yet, that’s what a lot of people do. When they find themselves in a ditch, they think, “Why did I have to end up in the ditch? I guess God wanted me to be here. He must want to teach me something in this ditch. Maybe this is all God ever intended for me; to be a ditch dweller.” And on it goes.

Please don’t get the wrong impression. I’m not at all suggesting that God is unable to control every area of our lives. His power and authority are limitless, with only one exception; where He has chosen to limit Himself. In His dealings with man, God has chosen to limit His authority by delegating certain areas of authority to us. Where God has delegated authority, He respects and honors that authority, even when it may go contrary to His will. Let me give you an easily understood example.

2 Peter 3:9 is referring to God when is says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” John 3:16 clearly tells us of God’s intent to provide a way to eternal life (salvation) for everyone through the sacrifice of His own son, Jesus. I could easily list dozens of additional scriptures that verify God’s desire and will for all people to go to heaven; that none would go to hell. Yet, Jesus said “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”. (Matthew 7:13-14) Note: “many” are taking the road that leads to destruction; “few” are taking the road that leads to life. Surely it is God’s will for them to take the road that leads to life. So you have to wonder, if God has control of everything, why is His will not being done? It is because, though sovereign, He has chosen to limit Himself. He’s given us, as free moral agents, the power and authority to choose life or death for ourselves. Even though our choice may violate His will, He will not override the authority He’s given to us.

That is just one example. This same principle applies to many areas of life on earth. Before we begin to declare everything (sickness, tragedy, failure, etc.) as God’s will we need to study what God’s will truly is; as detailed in the scriptures. Most assuredly, God moves in our lives, but it is within the limitations He has set for Himself.

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Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775