Archive for March, 2007

Question Posed to Me About God’s Sovereignty

Josh March 10th, 2007

A friend asked,

“If God is sovereign, then He can change His mind. Is that right?

To which I respond:

No. Think about it. If this were true in theory, the moment He changed His mind (in a true sense), He would then cease being God because that means there was something He’d actually need to change, which would deny His perfection. If God is perfect (and He is), then He needs to change nothing.

If the Bible says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (and it does), then we may also know that the other 2 persons of the Trinity are unchangeable as well. As has already been touched upon, when we see instances in Scripture where it appears that God has “changed” His mind, we must take into account that the Lord is so lofty and incomprehensible that, at times, the Holy Spirit-inspired writers of Scripture had to use anthropromorphisms to convey a concept to the readers that could not otherwise be conveyed.

The Lord is unsearchable. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts, just as the heavens are higher than the earth (Isaiah 55). One thing, though, has been made abundantly clear in Scripture: God is thoroughly, completely, and fully sovereign. He works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Let us look at Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God” No one else. Nothing else. God alone. We may deduce both logically and scripturally that all creation and its order have thus proceeded from God, Who alone is Creator. He spoke all of it into existence. In Colossians we read that Christ holds all things together and that in Him all things consist. I would say, my friend, that is sovereignty if ever a fellow knew it.

Consider with me, if you will, the hardening of Pharoah’s heart. God hardened it during the plagues, then He’d soften it, but harden it back again. Why? We’re not necessarily privy to that information. But we know God said this to Pharoah in Exodus 9, “For this very purpose, I have raised you up…that my Name may be known.” We have here several things to be noted. God uses the term purpose. Then He points out that He has done the raising of Pharoah to power and prestige, that He might humble Him by using Him, against His own desires, to free Israel from bondage. Then, because Scripure tells us, we’re given a bit of a why. God says, “That my Name may be known!” Wa-la! It is His own glory which with God is concerned.

Consider later, when the Children of Israel are crossing the Red Sea. God says several times that He’s going to pass Israel through, and then throw the Egyptians into the sea, and their horses and chariots, that they would know He is God. Again, it is for His glory.

The considerations could go on and on exhaustively, because every book in Scripture screams of God’s absolute sovereignty over the affairs of men and, PRAISE GOD, especially in light of salvation. If God were not sovereign, no man could ever be saved. I repeat, if God could not sovereignly intervene to save us men from our natural states, we never would nor could be saved.

The book of Job, the book of Isaiah, the book of Lamentations, the book of Amos (literally every book could be mentioned here). If it’s needed to be broken down to remind folks: Matthew 13 (Cross reference Luke for the same parable explanation); John 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 17; Acts 13:48 (Not to mention the work of God in the acts of the Apostles and the Church throughout the whole book therein); Romans 8, 9; 1 Cor 2; Eph 1, 2; so on, so forth. These references are just off the top of my head, but the truth is that all of Scripture is replete with the fact of God’s sovereignty in all things. Man is unable to get around this fact, so they just supress the truth in unrighteousness because of their pride.

Thus, the question ought not be, “If God is sovereign, then He can _______, right?”

Rather, it should be, “Since God is sovereign, then whatsoever He ordains is right and I am commanded to worship Him and believe His Word even when I cannot quite fully grasp it all with human, limited, finite mind. O, Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”

Life

Josh March 9th, 2007

While makin’ my jog around my neck of the woods over the last few days, I’ve been listening to (again) Pastor Joe Morecraft III’s History of the Reformation series. It’s really encouraging to hear the stories about those faithful Puritans and Reformers who have paved the way for the guts of Western Civilization’s progress due to their belief of the crown rights of King Jesus and their desire to uphold the liberty of men from tyranical godless rulers.

Anyway, while listening to these heartening stories, there’ve also been so heart-breaking ones. Hearing some grevious things about history, while also considering grief in my own life brought me a great sense of contrition before the Almighty, Who brings both blessings and grief…justly so. Yesterday, as I ran, there were 2 instances one right after the other that were the epitome of grief. I can only go by what I saw; however, I’m fairly certain that my judgments were unfortunately accurate.

As the particular set of lectures I was currently listening to developed further, I ran by a house that had an EMT unit and ambulance in front. I saw one of the EMT guys shutting doors to the vehicle in such a way that his actions screamed out, “We’ve lost another one.” On the porch was an older man sitting, with head buried in lap, overcome with  grief. Out by a vehicle was a bearded man who lost all his composure and began to weep in an uncontrollable manner.

A few yards down, after I’d been praying for these two men I’d just seen (that they’d be comforted and, if needed, convicted of their own sin and need for Christ), I saw a lady walking away from a house with luggage of some sort. As she approached her vehicle, I saw a young girl collapse on the front steps of the house and burst into tears. As she was bawling, it appeared she was saying “Don’t leave…” Now, I can’t know for certain because I had my iPod turned up. The mere appearance, though, broke my heart. I also prayed for that little girl.

My purpose in addressing my observation is more from the curiosity of how exactly do unbelievers cope with life? Sex, drunkenness, drugs, etc. seems to be the major case for today. Yet, none of those things ever persevere to complete healing. No, it is the Gospel that they need. May we be faithful in sharing such with them.

I also am reminded of my allegiance due to the Almighty God, Who purchased me fully by the blood of Christ. What a blessed gift. Amen.

This Lord’s Day

Josh March 4th, 2007

Whether “Sabbatarian” or not, I think we could all agree that there ought be a particular day set aside specifically for the worship of our Lord. On this day, unless providentially hindered or performing acts of mercy, we ought to avoid being caught up in the typical hustle and bustle that we so experience during the week. We ought not be overtaken with busy-ness by those things which demand our devotion and time in a “secular” sense. Again, whether “Sabbatarian” or not, surely we all see the principle in Scripture of setting aside a day that is free from servile labor and is filled with time with both the physical family and the church, toward the purpose and intent of the worship of God.

Fathers, let us lead our children in the love of Christ, teaching them the grace to be found in His Name. Shewing forth the matchless love of the heavenly Father for His own children. Let us urge them on to repentance, not provoking them to wrath, but telling them of God’s promises to be a God to us and our children.

Husbands, may you love your wives as Christ has loved the Church, leading them this day, into the familial presence of the Almighty. Nurture their hearts in the love of the Lord, giving them praise for their good works toward you and other family members. Serve them the Word of God which is near your hearts.

Mothers, may you graciously help your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Today, as you sing, pray, and catechize (and, if able along with your husbands) with your children, may you be an example from which they glean the picture of holiness and piety that a mother ought to carry.

Wives, on this day, granting you’ve a believing husband, may you share together the love that is only completed in Christ. As you worship together may the holiness and unity of marriage be more and more realized in your lives.

Children, take the time today to listen to and honor your parents, even you older children. The first promise attached to the decalogue is that of honoring your parents. This, of course, is further applied to other areas, but pay special honor to your parents this day as they lead you into the grand worship of our Creator.

To Christ’s Church,

May we take this day and set it apart, “Sabbatarian” or not, for the worship of God, to the glory of His Name, and consequently, to the good of His people. We do not serve an aloof deity who has no attachment to his creation. No, we serve the God Whose Name is I AM. Christ forefully told the people, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was, I AM!” We serve the Almighty God, Who is incomprehensible, yet makes Himself known to us. We serve the God Who is invisible, yet He has shown us Himself by becoming a man. We serve the omnipotent God of the Scriptures Who, in His mercy, has made Himself personal, relevant, and interactive in our Lives.

Blessed be His Name this Lord’s Day! 0

« Prev