THE SOVEREIGNITY OF GOD
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” (Ephesians 1v4-9).
All goodness and pureness becomes manifest in creatures because of the divine grace, through the sovereignty of God, who is the only Good. The divine grace is the means, the eternal being purposed to conform all creations to HIS image and likeness. The work and the fruit of divine grace, that comes through Sovereignty of God has nothing to do to the soul that willeth or runeth (Romans 9v16) . It is true, the Sovereign grace manifest itself within the soul when the soul heeds the call, but in truth the fruit of the work has nothing to do with the Soul. The more the soul gives up its self life, the more the sovereign grace manifest. This divine grace was before the foundation of the world, free from every work of the creature. The degree of the work of the sovereign grace is proportional to how much the soul cease from its own work, which is basically a cessation of the old life, to be daily govern by supreme divine grace.
This is the mystery of predestination, it is an end of the work of the creature, which is self, by receiving supernatural aid through the work of the sovereign grace daily. In the Old Testament, we can find the Sovereignty of God through the divine grace mostly manifested itself on the children of Israel, but in the New Testament the entire adamic race has the invitation to partake in this divine grace daily because of the work at Calvary.
One may asked “how do I partake in this divine sovereign grace in my daily life?” First our answer to such a seeker is, he cannot find the sovereign grace without, it manifests itself within. Once a depress soul was under confusion, because he knew the power of the sovereign grace in rich and prosperous life but not in poverty, belittlement, shame, rejection, and tribulations, found the truth below:
“But where shall wisdom be found? and where [is] the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It [is] not in me: and the sea saith, [It is] not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it [shall not be for] jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, [and] seeth under the whole heaven;To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.” (Job 28v13-28).
Job did not find the answer in the depth, a type of natural wisdom, riches , sea , grave etc but He found that only God know the way thereof. Now God is a spirit, who communicates to HIS children through HIS spirit in them. No soul can know God without a practical knowledge of HIS sovereign grace or aid. The greater the trials, the greater will be a manifestation of the sovereign grace, when the soul surrender all to HIM and allow HIM to work. This brings in a greater practical knowledge of God.
Let not any soul deceive his/her self that that he can come to know the sovereign grace by any other means. Religious activities, reading Christian books, etc will leave you dead unless you submit your heart and prayerfully seek the power of the sovereign grace who is Christ, to keep you pure in your daily activities. This brings in divine wisdom, as you walk in the spirit, by doing what you are hearing from its Leadership.
The soul that will come to a practical knowledge of the mystery of the work of the sovereign grace, must be brought in to situation which his/her natural ability cannot withstand; in the form of temptations , trials, afflictions, rejection, loneliness etc. This is where the Sovereign grace works to manifest its power. Without this trials the soul cannot appreciate the work of the sovereign grace, for only the thirsty will ask for water. The Sovereign grace hides our nature, the old life or weakness, through the manifestation of its power within the soul. This is predestination, sovereignty, Divine election, it is all about HIM.
“For ye are dead, and your life (the old life) is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” (Colossian 3v3-6).
Oh ye sons of men, who have become Sons of God, keep the faith working in patience, though it might not yet appear what ye shall be. Be not discourage because you do not know were HE is leading you. Be strong through HIS mighty strength. Endure the trials, though you are like Job who was forsaken by all, including his dear wife, who taught it good that he might curse God and die. Oh Curse not God by listening to the voice of rotten self, but hold your integrity, for HE is trying you. Can’t you sing like Job “When he has tried me I shall come forth like pure gold”? Let this be your song daily; he will supply the strength to endure, for it is not HIS will that you be taken away by affliction because of the lack of strength. Have you stumble on the way? It is still not yet finish with you. The enemy will whisper words of condemnation that you are finish. It is not true, look unto your deliverer with a contrite heart, and refreshment will be giving to raise you above your weakness and failure, bringing you unto victorious living; but return not unto your foolishness.
Oh the redeemed of the Lord scattered all over the world, you are the joy and the apple of HIS eye .Keep celebrating the reality of the divine predestination by clinging on HIM as your daily strength. It is high time, to be involved in useless and unprofitable activities. Lay aside all malice, hatred, envies, evil speaking and love and pray for those who despitefully speak against you. Wish there good and redemption, not there ruin. This is the day of Divine Love, and separation from the works of self clinging on the works of sovereign grace.
Let everything that has breath PRAISE HIM, who is the CREATOR and SAVIOR OF ALL. AMEN.
