In him [Christ] we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
God’s sovereignty is proclaimed throughout the Scripture. God is in charge. Nothing happens apart from his will. God uses people, nations, and the rest of creation as he chooses.
The Scripture also teaches that God created humanity in his own image and seems to have granted him a certain level of autonomy. But, along with that autonomy comes responsibility. We can act in ways that are contrary to what God wants from us. But we bear responsibility for those actions.
These two topics—God’s sovereignty and human free will/responsibility—often seem at odds. How can God possibly accomplish his will in creation if he allows humans to act contrary to that will?
How can we reconcile these two things? Or do we even need to reconcile them? Can we not just accept that the infinite creator of this universe is capable of things beyond our ability to understand?
God Has a Plan
While I make no claims to understanding the intersection of God’s sovereignty and human free will, I can take comfort in knowing that God has a master plan for his creation. And it is a plan that humanity, despite our best (or worst) efforts, cannot change in any way.
In Ephesians 1:11, Paul referred to his own call as an apostle as being “according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” God has a plan. And he is working out his plan for creation. Nothing catches him by surprise. He never has to scramble to change his plan in response to human actions.
But this goes beyond just accommodating human actions. He actively uses what we do to further his plan. In some way, the fall, the flood, Egyptian captivity, Israel’s exile, Jesus’ betrayal and execution, the multitude of wars throughout human history, and even the present U.S. presidential election have been, and are being used by God “in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
As I serve God today, I have no need to despair over the condition of the world, my nation, or my own circumstances. I can trust that the sovereign God is at work and has it all under control, guiding everything to his desired and planned conclusion.
