Both you and I share in a desire to proclaim His Word in truth. I am very concerned about your understanding that God is not in control of all things, because this very important doctrine affects every area of Christian life.
For example, what we believe in this area greatly affects our practice of prayer. I pray with knowledge that my Lord, because He is in control of all things, is able to intervene in any situation and work according to His good pleasure. No matter how great the difficulty, I know that, if He wills, He can overcome whatever I may be facing. If you are consistent in your beliefs that your God is not in control, you cannot pray with this comfort. I honestly don’t know why you would even pray at all. You can have no guarantee He is able work on your behalf. He would be an impotent God who must submit Himself to the workings of Satan, fate and any other possible causes of your life’s problems. You cannot be assured He can stop, hinder or in any way limit what may take place in your life.
What about during times of temptation? If your Lord is not in control, His promise to us that “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]” becomes a worthless promise that your God cannot guarantee to keep. Satan may tempt us with a temptation greater than we can bear and your Lord will be helpless to intervene, after all, according to your beliefs, Satan cannot be controlled nor limited by your God.
Or what about facing the trials in life…. If your Lord is not in control of the difficulties you face He CANNOT give you the promise that “All things work together for good”. And, yet, because I know my Lord does control these things, I know that what He promises to me is true and can be relied upon. He is able, and will, stop any circumstance that may affect my life if it is not for my good. I can know this with certainty. He has promised it, and He can keep the promises He makes. Your God is unable to keep this promise because, if you are consistent with your beliefs, your Lord is unable to limit what takes place in our lives. You are facing the circumstances alone, my dear friend. There is no reason for you to believe He can come to your aid because there is much that is totally out of His control.
How about when we have a lost loved one that we so desperately desire to be saved? It is my responsibility to take them His Word and then pray for them. I can trust in my God knowing that even if they reject and despise the gospel that I have given to them, my Lord can always intervene, soften their sin hardened heart and bring them to Himself. This is why I pray for the lost, I know the Lord can intervene and save them, in spite of their hatred of Him and His Word. In your beliefs, you cannot have this hope. You must rely on your own ability to persuade, convict and convince the lost, because your God is powerless to save. Your prayers for the salvation are wasted breath since your God is not in control of salvation itself.
I am trying to be gracious, but I must stand for the truths of my Lord’s Word and try to lovingly explain to you the implications of the error that you are so desperately trying to spread.
I know that my Lord is a Sovereign, Loving , Caring Lord that controls every aspect of my life… the Bible plainly declares this to be so. He truly works ALL things after the counsel of His own will. He does control even Satan himself. He is King of King and Lord of Lords. He truly controls the harmful things that take place in the world. It is because of this control that He gives us hope of limiting, and by grace, removing these things from our lives.
If He is not in control, then He is not God.
I am praying for you that the Lord might touch your heart and show you this wonderful truth that will revolutionize your walk with Him. Thank you for your kindness in giving of your valuable time to read this posting.
Rob Barkman
Ps 115:3 But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Below you will find a few of MANY verses that clearly declare His control over all things…
Eph 1:9-11 (KJV) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Job 1:6-12 (KJV) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Rev 19:11-16 (KJV) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.




















Amen Brother! Without the fact of God’s Sovereignty we could not have any confidence in His promises to us. Too many people stumble over this essential truth of the Scriptures. Please continue to faithfully explain the truth.
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for the kind words… I believe teachings about the Sovereignty Of God is one of the most ignored subjects that is taught from the pulpit, and yet it is one of the most important subjects for our day to day walk with Christ. May the Lord bless you and your blog ministry… I really liked your last posting on the need for the truth to be taught in our nation. Lord bless.
this was terrific!
Thank you for the kind words. The subject is very important to me and I truly feel once a Christian understands the Biblical teaching on this subject it revolutionizes our service to Him. By the way Terry, pleaes be sure to check your “spam” for some comments I made on your blog that have not shown up. I believe there are two that are missing. For some reason a few days ago all the comments I made on several different sites were placed into spam for no reason. I have never sent out spam, it must have been a glitch in the system. Anyhow, I think there may be two in your spam. Lord bless you and Al. I keep you in my prayers everyday.
I cannot add anything except a very loud, hearty “AMEN!!!”
Was it Spurgeon who said “If He is not God OF all, He is not God AT all”
Angela,
May the Lord continue to richly bless you as you stand for the truths of His Word. We both share in the privilege of serving a Sovereign Lord.
What a blessing , Pastor Rob, full of His promises and Word. I have several loved ones that this reminds me of. They have a lot of fear for the future, though they believe In Him. Thank you for showing me wherein that fear may lie. God bless you!
Debbie,
I agree with you. In many cases, I have seen where a lack of understanding fo the Sovereignty of God has caused fear about the future. I have laso seen many who doubt their own salvation because they do not understand His ability to keep them secure as His people. Lord bless you.
There is not enough teaching like this in the church today. We like a God that is a Cosmic Santa Clause but is not the Sovereign Lord of our lives. To me it brings the question to mind “why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say?” (Luke 6:46). Thanks for the well written, timely reminder.
Pastor Tom,
Thank you so much for the kind words. It is such a privilege to know that our Lord is in control. My heart is burdened for those who have never been taught this wonderous truth. Lord bless you.
It is a most gratifying thing to know God is in control and that he really loves those who believe in him. The peace that passes this understanding guards the heart and mind.
Roger,
Thanks for the comments. I agree with you… The doctrine fo God’s Sovereignty is a great source of peace and comfort for those who have trusted in Him.