Gods Sovereignty

John Piper, in the Solid Joy devotional titled, "Two Infinitely Strong and Tender Truths", writes :

“ . . . declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:10)

The word “sovereignty” (like the word “Trinity”) does not occur in the Bible. We use it to refer to this truth: God is in ultimate control of the world from the largest international intrigue to the smallest bird-fall in the forest.

Here is how the Bible puts it: “I am God, and there is no other. . . . ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Isaiah 46:9–10). And: “[God] 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). And: “He is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. For he will complete what he appoints for me” (Job 23:13–14). And: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).

One reason this doctrine is so precious to believers is that we know that God’s great desire is to show mercy and kindness to those who trust him (Ephesians 2:7; Psalm 37:3–7; Proverbs 29:25). God’s sovereignty means that this design for us cannot be frustrated. It cannot fail.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, befalls those “who love God” and “are called according to his purpose” but what is for our deepest and highest and longest good (Romans 8:28; Psalm 84:11).

This is why I like to say that the mercy and the sovereignty of God are the twin pillars of my life. They are the hope of my future, the energy of my service, the center of my theology, the bond of my marriage, the best medicine in all my sicknesses, the remedy of all my discouragements.

And when I come to die (whether sooner or later), these two truths will stand by my bed, and with infinitely strong and infinitely tender hands lift me up to God.

Two Infinitely Strong and Tender Truths

 

Could be that no one on this board denies God's sovereignty.

 

Well, let's see if there are any takers on that basis.

 

Hallelujah!

If I didn't believe that the opposite of God's Sovereignty was Arminianism and that Arminianism is mostly just Fatalism and Fatalism comes from Paganism, which originated with...I'll get back with you on that, then I might be opposed to God's Sovereignty.

How should I put this?

Anyway, at this link is a secondary source on Fatalism, along with the next post after it on the 'Is Everything Predestinated' post you may have seen.

Is Everything Predestined?

Lots of good stuff on there from AustinC and enough grabbing at straws by Arminians to choke a horse.

DaveXR650 takes several deep dives at it and never comes up dry.

They have a desperate challenge when opposing The Doctrines of Grace/ God's Revelation of Himself, systematized.

Too much book on it to dodge and weave around.

So, their MO will 'sometimes' involve introducing related issues but not address your main point of God's Sovereignty, maybe.

I posted PLENTY of c&p info on that thread, as I am accustomed to do.

They usually need a strong, "oh my, I wouldn't want to be thought of as a 'bad person', based on their strawman philosophical jabs they have heard.

Meanwhile they leave God out to dry.

"The Sovereignty of God makes Him the author of sin", yada yada.

In order to have the Worshipping Gratitude AustinC expressed above, the Spirit of God would have to deliver them from their man-centered, self-absorbed, selfish self-worship.

I'm just saying. "Who art thou, oh man?"

Trying to take what they come off with and saying, "how do I, or they, worship God based on this? is not always doable; hardly ever.

It's really too bad.

Consider yourself blessed.

Enjoy the peace.

 

For those who deny God's biblical sovereignty:

God causes or allows whatsoever comes to pass.