Learning to Speak Christianese, Part 4

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” ~Psalm 115:3

We are in the midst of a series of Covenanter devotionals in which we are seeking to clarify some commonly used Christian terms, especially those that describe the theological position of our church. This week we’ll explain what it means to emphasize God’s sovereignty and grace in salvation.

When we speak of God’s sovereignty, we are referring to His absolute reign over all things, or, to borrow the language of our Confessional Standards, that “he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass” (WSC 7). We find this language throughout the Bible. The prophet Isaiah says God “[declares] the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). The Apostle Paul says the Lord “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). Even Jesus says “not one [sparrow] will fall to the ground apart from [God]” (Matthew 10:29). The Bible teaches God’s sovereignty over all things. But what about over salvation? Is it that God merely ordains the movement of space dust and droplet of rain? Does He also rule over of the hearts of men?

Let’s consider what else Paul says. He tells us God “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Elsewhere he says that “from [God] and through [God] and to [God] are all things” (Romans 11:36). Again we read that God “work[s all things] together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:23-29). In other words, our being conformed to the image of Jesus, which is the outcome for those chosen in Christ, is given to us from God.  

But maybe Paul got it wrong. Could he be overstating God’s sovereignty? Let’s ask Jesus. In the Gospel of John we read several statements about our salvation. First, we read that “No one can come to [Jesus] unless the Father…draws him” (John 6:44). A few verses later He adds, “No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65). And later, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Clearly Jesus teaches that God is sovereign over the hearts of those who will come to Him in salvation. And just to put a nice bow on it, Luke says this in Acts 13:48: “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” God appoints men and women for salvation, and we are grateful He does, for without His grace in salvation we would remain dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-10).

In the end, God’s sovereignty over salvation is a matter of His gracious good will. Without His grace, we would be doomed. With it, however, we are not only able to be saved, but according to Jesus, we will be saved — we will hear our Shepherd’s voice and we will follow Him. Isn’t God’s sovereignty great news?

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor of Teaching & Spiritual Formation