God is the One Who Calls the Shots posted by jwatson on Dec 23, 2011

“God’s sovereignty and man’s response

In presenting the gospel, we should be clear on the fact that God is the King of the universe, the One Who makes the rules, Whose will is supreme, Whose Word is final. If we don’t like His rules, tough, there’s nothing you can do about it. Complaining ain’t gonna make a lick of difference!

Why is it important to tell people of God’s sovereignty?

Because when we read the Bible, we encounter some very “uncomfortable truths” – predestination, our inability to save ourselves, that even “having done all,” we are “unprofitable servants,” the reality of hell, that we are all sinners with “desperately wicked” hearts, that there is a Day of Judgment, that we do not have a democratic vote in the government of the universe, that without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin.

I have to be honest and admit that I have thought “If I had designed the universe, I would have done a much better job of it.” That’s only because I had no idea of the depth of God’s wisdom. As I have matured in the faith and contemplated the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I have stood in awe of how God’s love, mercy, patience and deep, deep wisdom have played out in history.

Just this morning Tina and I were reading about the earthquakes that occurred on that Easter weekend, and I couldn’t help but think of my own father’s shuddering, convulsive weeping at the death of someone he loved. Can you begin to imagine what our loving Father endured when His Son had to die for someone like me? Do you think He would have let it happen if there had been some other way? There was no other way.

We can only understand the ugliness and power of sin when we understand what it took to destroy sin and death on the cross.

Grace is free, but it wasn’t cheap.

My own testimony is this, that I rebelled against God’s laws, I kicked against the pricks, and was mad at God for His plan of salvation for the world. Why didn’t He just wave His big wand, save His people and make them good? It was when I heard myself saying to Jesus on the cross “Aren’t you Christ? Why don’t you save yourself – and us?”  (Luke 23:39) that I was convicted and humbled at my own ignorance, arrogance and stupidity. Having received Christ, not only as Savior, but as Lord, as The wise and powerful King of the universe, I trust fully in Him, whether I understand His ways and His thoughts or not.

That is why –

When sharing your faith, we have to tell sinners that there is no room for negotiation with God. Either you come to Him on His terms, or you don’t come at all.

Don’t fear the devil, who has kept so many in darkness for so long. Rejoice in the zillion megaton power of God that has set us free through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”