Blessed morning everyone and welcome to yet another installment of the Nuggets of knowledge series here at
metanoiameans.com! Today, we are going to take a deeper look into sovereignty, exploring the deeper meaning of the
word and what it looks like when understanding of it is reached. Let’s get started, shall we?
In Webster’s Dictionary, “sovereignty” is defined as supreme power, especially over a body politic, freedom from external
control, or controlling influence. It essentially means supreme authority or dominance, whether over a government or in a
more general sense of freedom from external influence. However, what is the biblical definition of the word? In the Bible,
sovereignty refers to God’s ultimate authority, power, and rule over all creation. It means that God is the ultimate source
of all that exists and that He has the right to govern and control all things according to His own will. This includes
everything from the physical world to the spiritual realm, as well as the choices and actions of human beings.
Key aspects of God’s sovereignty in the Bible:
Absolute authority:
God’s sovereignty implies that He has the ultimate right to make decisions and that no one or nothing can challenge or
limit His authority.
Universal control:
God’s sovereignty extends to all of creation, meaning He exercises control over everything, from the smallest details to the
grandest events.
Purposeful will:
God’s sovereignty is exercised according to His own purpose and plan, which He has ordained from eternity.
Free agency:
While God is sovereign, He also gives human beings the freedom to choose their own paths, even if it means choosing to
disobey Him.
Love and justice:
God’s sovereignty is exercised with love and justice, and He uses His power for the ultimate good of His creation.
Biblical examples of God’s sovereignty:
Creation:
God created everything out of nothing, demonstrating His ultimate power and authority.
Judgment:
God’s sovereignty is evident in His judgments on individuals and nations, showing His absolute authority over right and
wrong.
Providence:
God’s sovereignty is seen in His constant care and provision for His creation, even in the face of hardship.
Redemption:
God’s sovereignty is demonstrated in His plan for the redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ, showing His love and
power to overcome evil.
Understanding God’s sovereignty:
Understanding God’s sovereignty can be a source of comfort and assurance, knowing that He is in control and that His
plan for all things is ultimate. It can also be a challenge, as it requires us to trust in God even when things do not go as we
would like. I would be remiss if I did not mention that there are different theological perspectives on the relationship
between God’s sovereignty and human freedom. Some interpret God’s sovereignty as predestination, where God has
already decided the outcome of all events. Others emphasize the importance of human free will while acknowledging
God’s sovereignty. It is typical of westernized nations to struggle with this concept, the sovereignty of God. But what does
that mean? Westernized…what makes a nation be classified as westernized in the first place?
Westernization refers to the process of a culture adopting ideas, behaviors, and practices that are typical of Western
Europe and North America. This can involve adopting Western traditions, customs, and values, often at the expense of, or
in replacement of, pre-existing traditions and practices. It can manifest in various areas like language, clothing, diet,
technology, education, and even political systems.
Key aspects of Westernization:
Adoption of Western practices:
This includes adopting Western business practices, education systems, legal systems, and even military practices.
Cultural transformation:
Westernization can lead to changes in values, beliefs, and social norms within a society.
Influence through various channels:
Westernization can be driven by colonialism, trade, globalization, media, and the spread of knowledge and technology.
Often associated with modernization:
Some view Westernization as synonymous with modernization, a process of adopting new technologies and ways of life.
Can lead to the loss of traditional practices:
While Westernization can bring benefits, it can also lead to the loss of traditional cultural practices and beliefs.
A two-sided process:
Western societies themselves can be influenced by interactions with non-Western societies, creating a dynamic exchange
of ideas and cultures.
Can be resisted:
Some cultures may resist or selectively adopt Westernization, retaining elements of their traditional ways of life.
The sovereignty of God is both looked at and understood in a wide variety of ways. What I have seen during my own life
is that many middle eastern nations and peoples as well as both Asian and African nations and peoples seem to have the
best understanding of the sovereignty of God. We all who follow Jesus Christ know that YHWH is the one TRUE and
LIVING God, in three persons, Father (YHWH) Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. I am sad to say though that many of us who
claim to follow him do not understand and respect his sovereignty as we should. This is most noticeable in modern
westernized cultures. Modern westernized cultures have mostly adopted the same stance on the sovereignty of God. That
stance is that he has none. Most western nations have done all they can to cut God out of life, even those in these nations
that claim to believe in him and follow him struggle to accept his sovereignty. Many call out to him in prayer and expect
that he will answer whatever their prayer is favorably for them. Many act without asking him in prayer first and
WAITING for his answer. Many ignore his rules, laws and restrictions that he put in place for both our protection and our
betterment. Even sadder still, many preach a false version of him that makes him seem like a week pushover that will just
roll over and give you whatever you want whenever you want.
Here are some examples of God’s principles that we (generally speaking) continually break in this modern age:
- Sabbath Observance:
Biblical Principle: The fourth commandment calls for remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy, resting from regular
work, and engaging in activities that honor God.
Modern Deviation: While many Christians attend church on Sunday, the emphasis on a full day of rest and spiritual focus
has diminished in many cultures. - Stewardship and Generosity:
Biblical Principle: Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources and to generously give to the poor and
support God’s work.
Modern Deviation: Materialism and consumerism often overshadow the importance of generosity and responsible use of
resources. - Honesty and Integrity:
Biblical Principle: Living a life of honesty, truthfulness, and moral uprightness is emphasized throughout the Bible.
Modern Deviation: Dishonesty, deceit, and lack of integrity can be prevalent in various spheres of life, including business
and personal relationships. - Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
Biblical Principle: Christians are called to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God and to actively pursue
reconciliation in broken relationships.
Modern Deviation: Holding onto grudges, seeking revenge, and avoiding difficult conversations are common responses to
conflict today. - Humility and Service:
Biblical Principle: Jesus taught that true greatness lies in serving others and valuing them above oneself.
Modern Deviation: Pride, self-centeredness, and the pursuit of personal ambition often overshadow the call to humility
and service. - Biblical Marriage and Family:
Biblical Principle: Marriage is defined as a sacred union between one man and one woman for life, reflecting the
relationship between Christ and the Church.
Modern Deviation: Changing cultural views on marriage and family have led to deviations from traditional biblical
teachings. This can be seen with shocking clarity in the US where divorce rates and the number of “marriages” that are
not one man and one woman are skyrocketing. Same sex marriage seems to be the biggest of these transgressions. Yes,
that includes “marriages” that feature one or more transgender individuals. “marriages” that have a transgender participant
are the same as homosexual marriage. We cannot choose whether we are male or female, no matter how much some
people want to think we can and want us to act as though they can. God and God alone has the authority to make that
choice.
This set of six examples of God’s principles that are either disregarded completely, broken frequently or forgotten
conveniently is but a short list of biblical teachings that the world ignores to further its own agenda. These are some areas
that people like to claim that they themselves are sovereign over rather than God. In some cases, the desire for control is
so great that people have decided to mutilate themselves and insist that the use of the English language be altered to fit the
ungodly delusions that they have fabricated, the satanic stories that have been festering in their minds.
God’s sovereignty is absolute, it should never be treated as anything other than that. He is perfect, all knowing, all
powerful, kind, loving, generous, protective and caring. Why would we who are flawed in every way, ever even begin to
think we know better than him in anything? To put it simply…it’s a profound lack of respect for God and who he is. It’s a
total lack of the understand of sovereignty that is required to understand why we cannot take it over ourselves and have it
go well. I say “we” because I don’t want any of you to think that I am claiming to fully submit to God’s sovereignty at
every moment. I am flawed just like everyone else and I struggle with his sovereignty consistently. My struggles with his
sovereignty often are followed by intense demonic attacks that lead to a partial and temporary (thank you Jesus) mental
reversion to how I used to think before I gave my life to Jesus and devoted myself to serving him. These let’s call them
“fits” of disobedience and rebellion are common in all stages of spiritual development but they are especially prevalent for
new believers. As we mature in our faith, as we get closer to God, as we get to know each personage of the holy trinity,
these instances will begin to diminish in frequency, duration and strength.
As with every subject in the nuggets of knowledge series so far, in order to understand the sovereignty of God we must
read his word. Reading his word helps us to get to know him and understand him on the deepest level possible. It also
helps us to not only learn our place in his creation, his universe but also learn our place as one of his creations and should
we choose to accept him, his children. The main threat to our walk with God which includes understanding his
sovereignty is satan himself along with his demons, the 1/3 of God’s angels that he took with him when he fell from
heaven. Biblical literacy will help us to know when we are under attack by satan and his demons and be able to
distinguish God’s perfect truth from satan’s imperfect and twisted lies.
In my time both away from and walking with God I have noticed one thing as far as people’s resistance to his sovereignty
goes. That is usually driven by one or a combination of 5 things.
- Fear- can paralyze you in terms of your obedience to God and make you both resist and disregard his sovereignty.
- Pride- can make you trust yourself or others more than God and refuse to submit to him and his sovereignty
- Lack of desire to follow him- this can make you ignore his call for you not just in service but salvation which
would for sure have you also disregard his sovereignty - Lack of belief in him- you won’t submit to or follow God if you don’t believe in him with that his sovereignty
would be a non-issue, a moot point to you. - Trauma- no matter what form it takes, trauma can lead to you questioning God and running away from him rather
than clinging to him as we all should and following him.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE LIES FROM THE DEVIL HIMSELF OR A RESULT OF THEM!
I myself have fallen prey to two of these that I am aware of, let me show you what the ones I have dealt with look like in my life:
- Fear- most recently I have been struck with a great fear of the unknown that has had me act in a rebellious
manner towards YHWH and his call on my life. A significant fear of uncertainty has led me to push back against
his sovereignty which has delayed his calling on my life. I am greatly grieved by this and have repented of my
fear and am now walking in his will and his way by his guidance and strength. - Pride- before I found Jesus, before I gave my life to him I was very prideful. I didn’t want anything to do with
God or his sovereignty because I felt like I could handle my life on my own without his help, I felt like I was
invincible. I found out very suddenly and very quickly I was wrong. one day I found myself laying in a hospital
bed and I was informed that I had been resuscitated after a botched dental procedure. By God’s grace and mercy, I
was brought back to life and given a second chance. never think that tomorrow is promised to you because it isn’t.
accept Jesus as your lord and savior, welcome him into your heart, give your life to him, submit to him and follow
him. Let him save you from your sins before your time is up.
Both of these things still pop up in my mind and cause trouble every so often but they are nowhere near as bad as
they used to be. (thank you JESUS!)
In closing, the sovereignty of God is not hard at all to understand but is for many, tough to accept and abide by. The devil
will do everything he can to make you resist the sovereignty of our almighty God and rebel against him just as the devil
himself did. This can be done through many avenues, fear and pride are 2 of the biggest and easiest for him to exploit. No
matter how hard our lives may get, we must remember that God knows best and he works everything out for not only his
glory but for the good of those who serve him. Remember that understanding God’s sovereignty can be a source of
comfort and assurance. Looking at it in this way is a choice though. we have to choose to trust him and rely on him even
when things seem impossible.
Thank you all for reading. I pray that this article has blessed each and every one of you in some way. I pray that our
loving Heavenly Father will use these words to strengthen you in HIM as you walk with him by faith. I pray that our
almighty God will lead you all to portions of scripture that will help you to understand his sovereignty and his great love
for us all. I pray you all will let him lead you in all that you do from this day forward and that he will use you all in a
mighty way for his kingdom. In the name of his only begotten son, the savior of the world, Jesus Christ I do pray. Amen
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