Bootstrap

What does it mean that God's will is both sovereign and permissive?

Answered in 1 source

God's will is sovereign in its decrees, while His permissive will allows human actions without nullifying His ultimate plan (Acts 2:23).

The concept of God's sovereign and permissive will is fundamental in understanding the complexity of divine providence. The sovereign will of God is His decreed plan that will surely come to pass, as seen in Acts 2:23 regarding the crucifixion of Christ, which was part of God's predetermined plan. However, God's permissive will permits human actions and decisions that do not thwart His purposes. For example, while Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery out of malice, God's sovereign plan was to elevate Joseph to a position of power for the good of Israel. Therefore, understanding this dual aspect of God's will helps believers appreciate His sovereignty while acknowledging human responsibility and the presence of sin in the world.
Scripture References: Acts 2:23, Genesis 50:20

Sermons (1)

The Will of God
Henry Mahan · Oct 16, 1977
Joshua

Joshua

Shall we play a game? Ask me about articles, sermons, or theology from our library. I can also help you navigate the site.

0:00 0:00