Theology is only as good as we live out what we believe. For me, the sovereignty of God is one of three theological pillars that under-gird my perspective on life and how I live. Please let me explain…
What we believe about God is the most important thing about us. That determines how we process life, our ability to worship, our attitude about life, our ability to forgive others, and our ability to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
Everybody has a breaking point. We can only endure so much. Life’s hammer will break us… we will eventually melt under the pressure and no longer be able to stand. That place, wherever it is, is where we find God.
I won’t go into the details of my life history except that I’ve had my share of disappointment, hardship, pain, and abuse. My experiences are worse than some and not near as bad as many others… but they are mine. They make up who I am by the grace of God. I am absolutely convinced that God sovereignly brought each and every event, without exception, into my life for His glory and my ultimate good. My ultimate good is conformity to the image of Christ… THAT is the answer to all “Why me?” questions I have ever asked.
The most important thing (God give me the strength) is that I reflect God’s strength and Christ’s love in the midst of my all life experiences… whatever they may be. God loves His children (And me) too much to let anything happen that doesn’t glorify His name and is for their ultimate good! Thus God controls everything, without exception, toward those ends. Consider 2 Corinthians 4:8-10…
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Through my parent’s divorce… son’s illness… depression… life disappointments (!)… losing jobs… physical ailments… friend’s attacks… lies about me and my family… being misunderstood… misrepresented… God was always in 100% absolute control. He was sovereign. Never once has anything happen that He didn’t first approve or allow and control. Note: Just because I can’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good!
Through marrying my wife Pam (!)… having wonderful parents (!)… great friends (!)… being called into ministry (!)… the birth of my children (!)… pastoring four churches (!)… my theological education (!)… playing college football (!)… God saving me (!!)… etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc… God was always in 100% absolute control. He was sovereign through all these things and many more.
Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!
God causes ALL things to work together for the good of those who love Him…
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
I believe completely in the sovereignty of God. Too many things have happened in my life not to believe God is sovereign. Too many times He has proved His love, mercy, and grace through life events. Because God is sovereign, I have joy… peace… and security. In Jesus I have LIFE and have it more abundantly!
This is the last in a series. For the other posts click here, here, here, and here.