I’m at that busy point in the semester where if it’s not an exam it’s an assignment due! So I’ve decided to let someone else—namely A. W. Pink—take my post for the week.

This is from his The Attributes of God. If you haven’t read it yet, I encourage you to do so. It’s chapters are succinct and pointed. Their object is God. The full text of this book is available for free here.

The sovereignty of God is perhaps one of the most widely affirmed doctrines, and yet it seems to be one of the least applied. But I’ll let Pink do the talking…

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“The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy…. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him. So His own Word expressly declares: ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’ (Isa. 46:10); ‘He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand’ (Dan. 4:35). Divine sovereignty means that God is God in fact, as well as in name, that He is on the Throne of the universe, directing all things, working all things ‘after the counsel of His own will’ (Eph. 1:11).

Rightly did the late Mr. Spurgeon say in his sermon on Matthew 20:15,

There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that Throne. On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldings, no truth of which they have made such a football, as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine of the Sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere except on His throne. They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars. They will allow Him to be in His almonry to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties. They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne, His creatures then gnash their teeth, and we proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter; then it is that we are hissed and execrated, and then it is that men turn a deaf ear to us, for God on His throne is not the God they love. But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach. It is God upon His throne whom we trust.

‘Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places’ (Ps. 135:6). Yes, dear reader, such is the imperial Potentate revealed in Holy Writ. Unrivalled in majesty, unlimited in power, unaffected by anything outside Himself. But we are living in a day when even the most ‘orthodox’ seem afraid to admit the proper Godhood of God. They say that to press the sovereignty of God excludes human responsibility; whereas human responsibility is based upon Divine sovereignty, and is the product of it.”

-Taken from The Attributes of God, Arthur W. Pink, p. 32-33, emphasis in original.

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About Jason Harris

Dr Jason Harris is a writer, pastor, and academic. He has authored multiple books, articles, and papers including his book Theological Meditations on the Gospel. Jason has a PhD from James Cook University as well as degrees in theology, music, accounting, and research. Jason has lived in Cairns, Australia since 2007 and serves as pastor at CrossPoint Church. You can contact Jason at jason@jasonharris.com.au.

5 Comments

  1. Ben 9 April, 2009 at 11:02 am - Reply

    good quotes, Jason–also reminds me of Open Theism’s struggle in applying God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.

  2. Jason Harris 9 April, 2009 at 12:57 pm - Reply

    Yes Ben. To me, Open Theism is the natural result of the church’s infatuation with man’s “right to choose” (i.e. free will as some hold it).

  3. Kezia 9 April, 2009 at 3:40 pm - Reply

    I think you may have misspelled ‘soveregnty’. Lol, maybe add an ‘I’. =P
    Seriously, I really enjoyed this post. Especially the quote from Spurgeon: “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all.” Very applicable in my life right now and very encouraging. Thanks! =D

  4. Jason Harris 10 April, 2009 at 10:39 pm - Reply

    Thanks for catching the typo Kezia. =P

  5. Kezia 12 April, 2009 at 1:45 pm - Reply

    Aw, soz! Couldn’t resist! Me thinks maybe you spend too much time on the net – bad English skills! Lol =P

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