sovereinty of God

Sovereignty of God

Many Christians struggle with the issue of God's supremacy as opposed to the apparent free will that the same God has given to humanity. The Garden of Eden seems to be a case in point. Why did God give Adam and Eve the ability to choose if he knew they were going to make the wrong choice? In the same way one could ask why sin is part of society, and indeed part of the lives of devout Christians. Why do we sometimes choose to do wrong? Why do we have a choice in the first place? Why does God let us do wrong things? The answers to these questions I believe are complicated and many, but one can also attempt to find satisfactory answers using one's own God-given common sense in combination with biblical teaching.

In Romans 9 Paul attempts to explain not only to himself, but also to his fellow Christians the way in which God's sovereignty works. He quotes from Exodus 33:19, proving that like human beings, God also has a choice in using his supremacy. He has mercy on whom he chooses, and hardens those he wishes (like the Pharao at the time). God's choices are made from the perspective of omnipotence and for the purpose of his own glory.

In support of this argument, it can be said that, in given free will to human beings, God has acted according to his own power of choice, for his own glory and for the benefit of his followers. Furthermore the Bible states that God has created human beings in his own image. The benefit of free will forms part of this image. When applying this concept to the example of Adam and Eve then, one can argue that God has chosen to give his first people the power of choice in order to help them represent his image on earth. The fact that they chose incorrectly indirectly adds to his glory in that God is able to show his mercy to those who choose to accept it.

As far as Moses and the Pharao are concerned, God shows his supremacy by choosing to harden Pharao's heart until the tenth plague. The effect of this is that Moses and his people become aware not only of the greatness of God, but also of God's trustworthiness. God's supremacy is thus not only terrifying or awe-inspiring, but also teaches trust. Again, the distinction can be made between God's followers and those who are against him. God's followers learn trust, whereas God's opponents learn that he is a force far beyond human power.

God however does not always intervene in the choices people make; hence the concept of free will. Indeed, Adam and Eve's mistake seems to prove the point that people; even God's children, are sometimes allowed to make mistakes. In this case it could be beneficial to consider God in his New Testament capacity as father. We as human beings allow our children to make mistakes and to learn from them. This is the only way in which to prepare them for adult life. In the same way then God allows human beings to make mistakes, learn from them, and be prepared for their ultimate union with him. Life on earth then serves as a preparation for God's children in order to perfect them for the life with God. This preparation occurs through using one's free will in the best and most informed way possible.

God's ultimate plan for humanity is therefore based on free will. In choosing the Savior's way then implies a type of spiritual maturity, which is the result of spiritual growth through choice. Humanity is given a choice to either choose or reject the Savior, and in this way the choice prepares them for the after life with God.