The article "What Is Your Response to God’s Sovereignty?" by Don Fortner emphasizes the doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty, particularly in the context of salvation. Fortner argues that God has the exclusive right to elect certain individuals—the "seed of Abraham"—for redemption, a point supported by Hebrews 2:16, which highlights Jesus’ choice to save the elect rather than fallen angels. He contends that any resentment towards God's sovereignty stems from pride and rebellion against His authority. Theologically significant, this perspective challenges human-centered views of grace and underscores the necessity of recognizing God’s ultimate dominion and right to save or destroy. In application, Fortner calls for a humble response to God’s sovereignty, urging for surrender and repentance among those who resist God’s gracious rule.
Key Quotes
“For them and them alone he made intercession. For them and them alone he shed his precious blood. For them and them alone he obtained eternal redemption.”
“If you in your heart hate the doctrine that God has a right to save or to destroy you, you give me very grave cause to suspect whether you know your own position in the sight of God.”
“…the very glory of God to have mercy on whom he will have mercy and to be gracious to whom he will be gracious.”
“Do not be numbered among those who deny his sovereignty, hate the fact that he is God, and would rob him of his glory as God.”
What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty?
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all creation, exercising His will and purpose without fail.
Isaiah 45:5-10, Hebrews 2:16
How do we know God's sovereignty is true?
God's sovereignty is affirmed in Scripture and seen in His overarching control over history and salvation.
Isaiah 46:10
Why is God’s sovereignty important for Christians?
God's sovereignty reassures Christians of His control and purpose in their lives.
Romans 8:28
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. took not...: Gr. he taketh not hold of Angels, but of the seede of Abraham he taketh hold - Hebrews 2:16What is your response to God’s sovereignty?
When the Son of God came into this world, he passed by the fallen angels, he passed by multitudes of fallen men, refusing to lay hold of them, refusing to pray for them, and took hold on the seed of Abraham, God’s elect, covenant people, to save them. For them, and them alone, he made intercession. For them, and them alone, he shed his precious blood. For them, and them alone, he obtained eternal redemption. What is your response to this fact so plainly and repeatedly stated in Holy Scripture?
“If you in your heart hate the doctrine that God has a right to save or to destroy you, you give me very grave cause to suspect whether you know your own position in the sight of God; for I am quite sure that no humble sinner will doubt God’s right to destroy him….I tell you, it is your unhumbled pride that kicks against these doctrines; it is your infernal self-conceit, born of hell, that makes you hate this truth. Men have always kicked at it, and they always will. When Christ preached it once, they would have dragged him out to the brow of the hill, and cast him down head long; and I expect always to meet with opposition, if I speak out broadly and plainly; but let me tell you solemnly, if you do not believe God’s right over you, I am afraid your heart has never been right before God.” (C. H. Spurgeon)
In this day of man centered, man exalting, man pleasing “will worship,” while men everywhere declare God’s helplessness, I am determined to lift high the glorious banner of God’s absolute sovereignty, calling for proud worms to bow down before God’s sovereign throne. I am, in the name of God, calling for lost sinners to lay down your weapons of rebellion and surrender to God our Savior in his total sovereignty.
Do you ask, “Where does that leave man?” I answer, it leaves man in the hands of God almighty. Do you ask, “What about my choice? Have I no choice in this matter?” I answer, you do indeed. You have two choices: Either surrender to Christ’s sovereign dominion, or be crushed into hell for your rebellion.
Men rail at God’s servants for preaching the sovereignty of his free grace in Christ. They angrily denounce us as Hardshells, Antinomians, and Hyper-Calvinists. I care nothing for their opinions. I am happy to make will worshippers angry. I count it an honor to be the brunt of their slander and scorn. If a man hates the truth, I shall never be backward about stirring up his wrath. If a man is offended by the character of God, I shall be delighted to offend him (Isa. 45:5-10, 20-25; 43:1-13). It is the very glory of God to have mercy on whom he will have mercy and to be gracious to whom he will be gracious (Ex. 34:6). Those who deny his sovereignty hate the fact that he is God and would rob him of his glory as God. Do not be numbered among them.
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