GODS Sovereign rule

God’s sovereignty encompasses His complete and absolute authority over all creation. As the supreme architect and divine planner of both the heavens and the earth, everything is shaped according to His perfect and inscrutable will. This is poignantly illustrated in Matthew 20:15, where the Lord poses a profound question: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” This rhetorical inquiry highlights that God’s inherent goodness does not diminish His rightful authority to govern creation as He sees fit. The statement that “the last shall be first, and the first last” serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering justice and the selective nature of His grace, emphasising that while many are called to His kingdom, few are ultimately chosen for it.

The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, poignantly reinforces our position in relation to God in Romans 9:20, asking: “O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” This rhetorical question underscores the futility of questioning the authority and wisdom of the Creator. Instead, believers are called to humbly submit to God’s will, as affirmed in Ephesians 1:11. This verse asserts that through Christ, believers have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to God’s overarching and purposeful design—in which He works all things according to the counsel of His own will, orchestrating every aspect of life for His glory.

Scripture consistently affirms that God possesses unequivocal authority over all facets of creation, which includes the living, the non-living, the material, and the immaterial realms. Numerous passages, such as 1 Chronicles 29:11, declare His dominion over all, proclaiming that “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours.” Psalm 115:3 further reinforces this, stating, “Our God is in the heavens; he has done whatever he pleases.” Additional significant references include Isaiah 45:9, where the Lord challenges the creation to question the Creator’s decisions, Ezekiel 18:4, which emphasises God’s ownership of all life, Daniel 4:34, where Nebuchadnezzar praises God’s eternal reign, as well as Matthew 20:15, Romans 9:14-21 and 11:36, Ephesians 1:11, 1 Timothy 6:15, and Revelation 4:11.

Furthermore, God is not only the originator of the universe but also actively preserves His creation. To illustrate this relationship, consider the analogy of a machine—its creator defines its purpose and maintains it to ensure optimal functionality. Just as machines require external forces and oversight for maintenance, creation depends on God’s ongoing sustaining power. Nehemiah 9:6 affirms this truth by proclaiming, “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.” Colossians 1:17 further emphasises that “He is before all things, and by Him all things consist,” reinforcing His active and continual role in upholding all creation. Other relevant scriptures that highlight God’s sustaining power include Hebrews 1:3, which states that He upholds the universe by His powerful word, Psalm 36:6, and Acts 17:28, where it is proclaimed, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

Regarding God’s method of creation, while He exercises sovereignty over all creation, He has also endowed humanity—made in His image—with natural power and agency. This is evident in 1 Corinthians 12:6, which speaks of the variety of gifts and workings among believers, and Acts 17:28, that affirms, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” This acknowledgment affirms that mankind is granted genuine freedom to act; however, it serves as a caution against the misuse of this power, as human actions can lead to evil when they stray from God’s intended purpose. Ultimately, these passages call for a reverent acknowledgment of God’s supreme authority and a responsible exercise of the power entrusted to humanity, encouraging believers to align their will with the divine will and pursue righteousness in all aspects of life.