GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER SIN

by
Pastor Charles J. Arnett
111 Worman Dr.
Union OH 45322
513-836-3272
February 18, 1992

of

Union Baptist Church
528 N. Main St.
Englewood OH 45322

INTRODUCTION: Philosophers and theologians have wrestled for many years the problem of the existence of sin. How can sin exist in a universe designed and created by a holy God? Apart from the philosophical subtleties we find that the Holy Spirit can reveal truth to the child of God that no amount of philosophical study could reveal. One such truth is "God's sovereignty over sin."
This article is written in the hope of leading sinners to receive Christ. You need to know your only hope is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing the futility of sin should result in your turning from sin to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The omnipotence of God is comfort to the soul seeking after peace and victory over sin. There are several truths about God's sovereignty over sin that we wish to set forth in this article. However, the reader will be edified if he looks up the references and reads them in their context. We begin with:

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE EXISTENCE OF SIN
ASSERTED: This truth is proclaimed in Ephesians 1:11. "... _being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:" _Note particularly _"Worketh all things."_ One commentator said, "Not only did God make this plan that includes absolutely all things that ever takes place in heaven, or in earth, and in hell - past, present, and future - pertaining both to saved and unsaved - angels and devils ... He also carries out this plan."
Where is God when the teen turns to alcohol? Where is God when the marriage crumbles? Where is God when a little child is abused? He is on the throne working out His eternal purpose. That may be hard for us to understand, but sin is in the eternal plan of God. God never asked anyone if there should be crime and mayhem in the U. S. in 1992. He works all things after the council of His own will.
CAUTION: In James 1:13,14 we read we learn where human sin comes from. Sin comes from sinful hearts. God hates sin and will punish sin even though your sin is in the secret will of God. Sin is not in the revealed will of God but it is in the secret will of God. Theologically we say, "God is not the author of sin." God does not make people sin. Some use the phrase, "God allows sin." That may be true, but He makes the choice which sin, where, and when to allow it.
ILLUSTRATED: This truth is illustrated in Luke 3:31; _"... Nathan, which was the son of David."_ Galatians 4:4 tells us, _"But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, ..." _ The exact time of the birth of Christ was planned by God. Every thing was already set forth in His purpose. God didn't look down and say, "Well men are ready ..." God not only planned the timing, but He also planned the genealogy of Jesus, that is clear. God foretold what tribe, even down to the family, Jesus had to come. Jesus must be born of the royal seed. Nathan was the son of Bathsheba. David married her after committing adultery with her and murdering her husband.
Was God just lucky David committed those sins? No! That was in the eternal purpose of God. Did God approve of David's sin? God forbid, of course not, God hates adultery. In fact God punished David for it. David himself called it sin, and sin against God at that. God's ways and wisdom is far above ours.

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE DEFEAT OF SIN:
ASSERTED: This truth is proclaimed in Psalm 76:10. _"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."_ Sin has one purpose; to slander God. Sin arose when Lucifer wanted to steal glory from God. Man's first sin was an attempt to slander God. (Eve believed that God was trying to withhold good from her.)
The sinner is dishonoring God. All sin is against God, not only against His law, but is a defiance against Him. Sin is an attempt to dethrone God. Our passage in Psalm 76 declares that God defeats the purpose of sin, and makes it bring glory to Him. What sin that will not bring glory to Him, He just suppresses and don't allow. What a staggering thought; the sinner doesn't sin as much as he wants to. God only permits him to sin as much as will bring glory to God. What a sovereign we serve. He allows His voluntary creatures, who are His enemies, to devise their worst; and He turns in into praise.
ILLUSTRATED: This truth is illustrated in Genesis 50:20, _"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good . . .."_ Joseph's brethren had sinned by hating their younger brother. They not only plotted to destroy Him, they sold him into slavery. What great sin is in man to sell ones own brother into slavery? Then they took his coat and put animal's blood on it to deceive their dad. Joseph was lied about and put in prison. Look what he says at the end of it all. God meant it. And God meant it for good. Was it sin? yes, they meant evil and it was a terrible thing to do.

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE JUDGMENT OF SIN
ASSERTED: This truth is proclaimed in Hebrews 12:23. _"... to God the Judge of all, ..." _He isn't co-judge. He is Judge. He doesn't call into council the great philosophers to work out an agreeable judgment. There is no divine plea bargaining. He doesn't call into council Church leaders to decide what is sin. He alone is judge. When you stand in judgment, He will not ask you how it should be done. Perfection is His standard. James 2:10 tells us that one sin condemns us. One sin deserves hell as much as the most awful sin you can imagine. You must be cleansed from all sin to enter heaven.
ILLUSTRATED: This truth is illustrated in Rev 20:11-15. Here we see this sovereignty illustrated. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; _and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." None escapes this judgment. Man's law on the earth is not sovereign. Some escape judgment on earth before human law. Every one not written in book of life ends up in hell! I must ask you this most serious question. Is your name written there? Notice, no one jumps in, they are cast in. It will be too late to have your name written in the book of life then.

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE CLEANSING OF SIN:
ASSERTED: This truth is proclaimed in Exodus 33:18,19. "_And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the _Lord_ before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy._"
The sovereign mercy of God is His glory. God is a God of mercy. But He has mercy on who He chooses to have mercy. Men think that we can earn the grace or mercy of God. You hear men say, "If I try, or if I do the best I can." God says His mercy will be given according to His will. We read in the scripture that, "... _The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." _When God has mercy He washes that person from all sin that they may stand before Him with a perfect standing. Has God shown mercy to you? It is of the mercy of God that anyone knows they need to be saved. It is of the mercy of God that anyone can receive Jesus Christ by faith.
ILLUSTRATED: This truth is illustration in John 8:3-11, "And the scribes Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."_ We might have thought He would have saved the pharisees. They were religious; they had zeal; witnessing - Jesus said they would compass sea and land to make one convert. Boy, would they make good Christians. How prone we are to judge as man.
Then consider this woman. When ever we want to find a woman committing adultery, just go to her house. When her husband is gone - she's not alone. Now whom is God going to save? She barely had time to get her clothes on. Surely the Lord will tell her to clean up her life before He shows mercy. But look at what is going on. All her accusers left, but she stayed. Why didn't she take this opportunity to skip out? Then she called Him Lord. Jesus did not condemn her. She was forgiven; she had received mercy.
When a person comes to Jesus, God has shown mercy. Can you come? Oh! believe that without Jesus you'll go straight to hell. He died to save sinners. Believe in Him. If you are ever saved you must come to the blood stains hands of King Jesus.