Ephesians 1:11: “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”
Just how “sovereign” is God? Intellectually approached, the question seems so simple – God is God, nothing is beyond His purview, beyond His authority, beyond His interdiction. Practically addressed, even believers demonstrate a lack of trust in a sovereign God. Is God intimately involved in the world? More practically, is God involved in my world? For the Scriptural answers, we examine:
- Historical Context: Written between A.D. 60-63, Ephesians 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Ephesians as the apostle Paul. Paul intended that all who long for Christ-like maturity would receive this writing. Enclosed within the Book of Ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of God. Furthermore, a study in Ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling God has given. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. It presents a balanced view of the body of Christ and its importance in God’s economy. Perhaps more than any other book of the Bible, the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the connection between sound doctrine and right practice in the Christian life. Far too many people ignore “theology” and instead want to only discuss things that are “practical.” In Ephesians, Paul argues that theology is practical. In order to live out God’s will for us in our lives practically, we must first understand who we are in Christ doctrinally.
- Grammatical Usage: “purpose” or “Prothesis” meaning, “set forth; establish”
- Literal Application: In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His establishment, working all things according tothe counsel of His will
- Contextual Interpretation: “God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established” — Westminister Confession of Faith, 3.1.
God
determines whatsoever comes to pass:
Proverbs 16:1, 4, 7, 9, 33; 20:24; 21:1, Jeremiah 10:23, Lamentations 3:37, 38,
Amos 3:6, Acts 17:26-27, Daniel 2:21; 4:35, Psalm 139:16, Ephesians 1:11,
Romans 11:36 John 3:27, Job 12:9-10; 14:5
God is
sovereign over (ordains) evil, sin, and calamity without ever being guilty of
wrong:
Isaiah 44:18; 45:7; 19:2; 63:17, Job chapters 1 and 2; especially Job 1:11-12,
21-22; 2:3, 10 and Job 12:9-10; 42:11, Psalm 105:25, Exodus 4:11, 21; 7:2-4,
13, 22; 10:27 Romans 9:17, 18-23, 1 Kings 22:19-23, 1 Chronicles 21:1 with 2
Samuel 24:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12, Genesis 45:5-8; 50:20, Revelation 17:17;
13:5; 13:7, Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:27, 28, Luke 22:22, John 13:27-31; 19:11
This simply refers to the fact that all things are under His rule and control, and that nothing happens in this Universe without His direction or permission. He is a God Who works, not just some things, but all things after the counsel of His own will (see Eph. 1:11). God’s purpose is all- inclusive and is never thwarted (see Isa. 46:11). Nothing Takes Him by Surprise
“It is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things but that He does so always and without exception.” – John Piper
- God is sovereign over the entire universe: Ps 103:19; Rom 8:28; Eph 1:11
- God is sovereign over all of nature: Ps 135:6-7; Mt 5:45; 6:25-30
- God is sovereign over angels & Satan: Ps 103:20-21; Job 1:12
- God is sovereign over nations: Ps 47:7-9; Dan 2:20-21; 4:34-35
- God is sovereign over human beings: 1 Sam 2:6-7; Gal 1:15-16
- God is sovereign over animals: Ps 104:21-30; 1 Ki 17:4-6
- God is sovereign over “accidents”: Pr 16:33; Jon 1:7; Mt 10:29
- God is sovereign over free acts of men: Ex 3:21; 12:25-36; Ez 7:27
- God is sovereign over sinful acts of men and Satan: 2 Sam 24:1; 1 Chr 21:1; Gen 45:5; 50:20
- Scriptural Comparison: Sovereignty of God – What is it?
The sovereignty of God represents the ability to exercise His holy will or supremacy. The Most High, Lord of Heaven and earth, has unlimited power to do what He has resolved. Being absolutely independent, God does as He pleases. None can deter Him, none can hinder Him. In His Word, God declares: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me . . . I say: ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, created architectural works that were classified among the Seven Wonders of the World. Yet he praised the Most High’s sovereignty. “His [God’s] dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation . . . He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand…” (Daniel 4:34-35).
Divine sovereignty signifies that God is the One who sits on the Throne of the universe. He is God in name as well as in all things, directing all things, and “who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). In his God-permitted affliction, Job acknowledges God’s greatness and splendor in contrast to his pride and sin. “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Job finally realizes that God’s purposes are supreme and He is sovereign.
Our God is completely sovereign, in control of absolutely everything at all times. There is not a single molecule floating about in the universe that is outside of His sovereign will and purpose. Everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes. As Nebuchadnezzar came to realize after being turned out to pasture, “he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35). Nebuchadnezzar had it right.
Sovereignty
of God – What are the Parameters?
While the God’s supremacy is unrestricted, even the sovereignty of God has its
parameters. Ultimately God is in complete control of all things, though He may
choose to let certain events happen according to natural laws which He has
ordained.
But imagine for a moment a deity with that kind of sovereign power who was changeable or impulsive or unpredictable. Imagine that at any moment He could rescind a promise for any reason, or take back a gift simply because He felt like it. Imagine that He could break a covenant on a whim or change His mind or scrap one plan and come up with another. After all, He is sovereign. So who could stop Him?
But thankfully, that is not our God. His complete sovereignty is completely compatible with another of His magnificent attributes—His immutability, His unchanging nature. What God says He will do, He will do. No question about it. Isaiah 14:24 says “Jehovah of Hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely as I have thought, so it shall come to pass; and as I have purposed, it shall stand.’” Samuel writes “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind” (1 Samuel 15:29). In fact:
- God cannot do anything that would deny His own character. Since God is immutable, His words must reflect His integrity (Numbers 23:19). God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). In all cases, God not only remains truthful, but keeps every oath and promise He makes.
- God cannot be tempted by evil. There is no element in His nature to which evil can make an appeal (James 1:13). While God will often test us, He tempts no one. In fact, God uses His unlimited power to enable us to resist and escape evil (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- God cannot deny or contradict Himself. God remains faithful to His covenant promises (Malachi 3:6). A promise is only as good as the person who makes it. Like God, His Word is immutable (1 Samuel 15:29). God does not revoke what He has given or discard who He has chosen (Romans 11:29).
- God cannot forgive sin without the payment being made. Because God is just, He cannot simply “wipe the slate clean” (Romans 6:23). Christ cried out in the Garden of Gethsemane, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me . . .” (Matthew 26:39). Christ had to endure excruciating physical and spiritual agony, God’s perfect justice pronounced on sin.
- God cannot force anyone to love Him or to receive His gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. It is an act of man’s free will (John 1:11–13). When an individual chooses to respond in faith, welcoming Jesus into his life, he becomes a new creation.
Sovereignty of God – How is it seen?
While the sovereignty of God is infinite, the use of His power is defined by His other attributes. Characteristics such as truthfulness, goodness, faithfulness, righteousness, and love define God’s every action. If one attribute were disproportionate or over-emphasized, chaos would result on a universal level.
Consider a god who favored one person over another. God does not favor an individual because of his station in life, his nationality, or his material possessions (Acts 10:34-35). Rather, God’s accepts us by welcoming us into a right relationship by faith in Jesus Christ.
By the sovereignty of God, we have a free will and are able to make choices and decisions that shape our lives. While we do not possess God’s infinite power, we can surrender our hearts, souls, minds to ways that are consistent with His holy will. In this way, we honor the Creator and Sustainer of all things, recognizing God is truly sovereign (Colossians 1:16-17).
What God has planned
from before the foundation of the world, He will bring to pass. He doesn’t
revise His plans according to what people do, a popular notion called ‘open
theism,’ the ridiculous idea that God doesn’t know the future and He is
constantly having to adjust His plans according to what man does. But if the
creature has such power over the Creator that our actions cause Him to change
His plans, that would make the creature God, wouldn’t it? Of course we know the
root of that heresy—the desire to be God that lurks in the heart of everyone
since Satan tempted Eve to believe she would be like God (Genesis 3:5).
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart
through all generations” (Psalm 33:11).
When He says ‘forever,’ that’s exactly what He means. When He makes a covenant,
He keeps it. His plans are not affected by changing, unfaithful man so that He
has to be constantly updating them. What comfort would it be to pray to a god
who, like the chameleon who changes color depending on its environment, God
changed His mind every minute? Who would put up a petition before an earthly
ruler who was so changeable as to grant it one day, then deny it the next?
Sovereignty of God – How is it comforting?
Most importantly,
our salvation is secure because the One who secured it doesn’t change, nor does
He change the rules on us so that we may be saved one day and lose our
salvation the next. We have His solemn oath that all who come to Christ in
faith will be saved, not because we are faithful, but because He is.
Because of His unchanging nature, we can be assured that once we are in His
hand, we will remain there, “for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
Too many Christians who doubt their salvation would have their fears alleviated
if only they studied the doctrine of God’s immutability and took it to heart.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
And salvation is the most perfect gift of all, given by our immutable God who
promised that none of His children would be lost (John
10:28-29).
- Conclusion: If God were changeable, we could not depend on Him or on anything His Word says. But He does not change and we can depend on Him. He is our Rock, like a huge boulder in a stream. The waters go around and over it, but it does not move. The tides ebb and flow, but the Rock remains. In the same way, the tides of human affairs ebb and flow, but God’s purpose and will remain unchanged, and His ability to bring them to pass remains unchanged. This is our magnificent God—sovereign, trustworthy, and immutable.