By
Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship,
Clarinda
Herald Journal Publication Date : 4/4/2007
God’s Sovereignty and Human Freedom
"How
much does God control in our lives?"
The above question is condensed from
a question I received from an Xgang member incarcerated at the Clarinda
Academy: “If God knows everything that’s going to happen then He knows we’re
going to be in prison and do the things we’ve done [such as] gangs and drugs;
how are we to be saved—Is it planned ahead?" Another from the Academy
voiced a similar question: "If our steps are already set in stone and God
knows our future, and He already knows we are going go to hell, then how are we
supposed to change that?”
I have had the same type of
questions, and honestly, still consider this dilemma. However, prior to
conversion, my mental wrestlings on the subject did not stem from my
contemplation of Christian theology, but from reflections on Hinduism and
secular psychology. Psychology and its philosophical cousin call this “Determinism.”
Hinduism calls it “Karma.” Such viewpoints make us intellectual slaves, for
they remove the uniqueness and purpose of our lives and make us tiny cogs in
the great machine of cosmic cause and effect—subject to powerful forces that we
cannot escape.
After coming to faith, I came to
learn of a similar approach within the context of Christian theology—the
sovereignty of God. This doctrine refers to the way in which God is directing
and controlling all things. Now to what degree He exerts control will keep the
theologians debating until Christ returns. Suffice it to say, even an
elementary reading of the Bible reveals that God is in charge of His universe
and is moving the destinies of all things toward the culmination of His purpose.
Even so, man is never excused for his improper actions, and God holds him
accountable for his choices. God's sovereignty is a precious doctrine, but
misunderstood and misapplied, it can—like Hinduism, psychology, and
philosophy—produce fear and a feeling of enslavement.
The Bible teaches both divine
sovereignty and human responsibility. Philippians 2:12-13 neatly balances these
twin truths. Paul exhorts the Philippians: “Continue to work out your
salvation... for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his
good purpose.” The “working out” addresses our responsibility; but the
lion's-share of the effort rests on God's shoulders, “willing and acting” in
our lives to fit us for His eternal purpose.
The reason why we suffer from the
consequences of sin, drugs, gang violence, and the like, is because we have
chosen poorly. We cannot blame God for our actions; we must take full
responsibility for them. At the same time, such consequences can awaken a sense
of need for God, because He is at work in our lives. Our personal histories
have yet to be fully written.
The offer of salvation is inclusive,
that is, for anyone and everyone. However, salvation is also inclusive—it is
only for those who believe. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son (sovereignty), that whoever believes in him
(responsibility) shall not perish but have eternal life." Yes, God is in
control, and that means mercy can come to us, in spite of our past histories.
--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)