The Control of God – Part I

 

Psalms 22:28 clearly states, “For the kingdom is the LORD'S:  and he is the governor among the nations.” The Bible tells us two important truths. First, it tells us that God is all-powerful. He is omnipotent.  From the farthest galaxy to the smallest sub-atomic particle, God created absolutely everything in the universe, which obviously includes you and me. He also created the laws by which the universe is governed and sustained, and the Lord Jesus Christ continues to watch over it from heaven. Thus, He is not only the creator but also the sustainer. The Bible says in Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Both versions tell the same thing. 

The concept of the control of God over everything is called His “sovereignty”. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. God’s sovereignty is defined as His complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. God is in complete control of every molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.

God’s total sovereignty over all creation directly confirms His aseity. He does not need anything and is complete in Himself. Thus, to think He needs our cooperation, our help, or the exercise of our free will to bring His plans to pass puts us in control over Him, which makes us God. Such arguments, at best, can be described as immature and foolish. Our wills are only free to the extent that God allows us that freedom and no farther. “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or question Him. Daniel 4:35 “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:  and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth:  and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”  The free will and free choice given to us by God can in no way trump the sovereignty of God.

The Bible also tells us another important truth: Evil is real, and this world is often attacked by spiritual forces that are not from God but from Satan. Their authority is limited and temporary, but it is nevertheless real, and we see it on every hand. By choice, Adam and Eve invited the evil force in the Garden of Eden. They continue because God allows it and man may make the rightful choice between good and evil. After all, the Laws of God cannot be made ineffectual to save man. It must be fulfilled. Disobedience results in death, and death can only be overcome by believing in the Lord Jesus, who saves us by His shed blood. At the end of the day, evil will be destroyed, and we shall live as was initially intended for us right from the beginning.

Dr Ashwin Drummond

Laddertoheaven.co.in