God Reigns Supreme: Trusting His Justice, Mercy, and Sovereign Grace

Summary

God has not resigned from ruling the world. He sovereignly directs history, dispenses mercy, and judges justly. Though His choices may appear unfair by human standards, Scripture reveals our perspective is flawed. God’s justice is perfect, His mercy undeserved, and His grace life-giving. Through Christ, God rescues and adopts believers as His children, displaying the riches of His glory and the wisdom of His sovereign rule.

Does God Still Rule the World?

A church misprinted a hymn’s title in the bulletin—"Hallelujah, the Lord God Omnipotent Resigneth.” As we look at our world, we might wonder if it is so.

God Reigns Supreme over History and Hearts

God reigns supreme. He is the Creator, Owner, and Ruler of everything. History follows His predetermined course.

Why God’s Mercy Is Not Unfair

Paul’s face turns red at the thought that God is unfair. He says people are not qualified to pass judgment on God’s decisions.

Human Responsibility and Divine Justice

He refers to Exodus 33:19. It reveals that God chooses His objects of mercy and compassion. His choice does not depend on human desire or effort, as a mother’s love does not depend on her child’s worthiness.

God sovereignly placed the arrogant Pharaoh in a position where his stubborn disobedience would bring his downfall. It magnifies God’s glory throughout the earth.

Even Rahab in Jericho knew God had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Joshua 2:9–10). Consistent with Romans 1, God abandons those who reject His revelation of Himself in nature, history, and miracles.

As a result, they indulge in ever greater excesses of sin and experience their consequences. Sinners prepare themselves for judgment. God prepares people for glory.

If people cannot resist God’s sovereign will, should He blame them for their behavior? Is evil and suffering God’s fault? Is God’s choice of some and not others unfair?

No. God is just. He does what is right (Genesis 18:25). Yet sometimes it does not seem like it.

Our fairness meter is broken. How so? God thinks it is fair for the innocent Christ to pay the death penalty for sin for guilty humankind.

Earthly courts do not work that way. But we do not want God to withdraw His “unfair” offer of salvation.

The Potter, the Clay, and God’s Purpose

Paul illustrates that the creature should not talk back to God. The potter uses clay to make all kinds of vessels.

Some are beautiful decorative pieces. Others are not attractive but are essential for daily living.

An admirable vessel might be someone attractive, intelligent, and athletic. There is no room for pride. God expects ten-talent production from ten-talent people.

We do not understand God’s choices, but we can trust that Jesus perfectly reveals God’s character. God is kind beyond measure, but we cannot control Him. It is foolish to ignore or defy Him.

God is not responsible for human sinfulness. Objects of wrath are those whose behavior deteriorates despite their knowledge and conscience.

Paul applied it to those who stubbornly opposed the gospel. Objects of mercy are those whom God wills to show the riches of His glory.

Just because God does not reveal why He chooses some and not others does not make Him unjust. He sovereignly dispenses life-giving grace.

Adopted by a Sovereign and Gracious King

He rescues and adopts us to know the riches of His glory. We are not orphans. We are the adopted children of a sovereign King!

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)