Christ's Sovereignty and Care for His People
Christ's Sovereignty and Care for His People
Christ's sovereignty and care for his people are deeply intertwined concepts rooted in biblical teachings. The Bible portrays Christ as the sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19) [1]. This sovereignty is not limited to spiritual matters but extends to all aspects of life, demonstrating God's comprehensive care for his people.
The Lord's pleasure in his people is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Psalm 149:4 states, "For the Lord has pleasure in his people" [2]. This pleasure is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice and love. Deuteronomy 33:3 highlights God's love for his people, stating that "He loves the peoples; all His holy ones are in Your hand" [3]. This love is a fundamental aspect of Christ's care for his people.
The concept of Christ's care is further emphasized in the prophetic writings. Joel 2:18 notes that "Then will the Lord be jealous over his land, and spare his people" [4]. This jealousy is not a negative emotion but a passionate desire to protect and care for his people. Torrey's Topical Textbook underscores the love of God as a sovereign and abiding characteristic, citing numerous biblical references to demonstrate its greatness and constancy [5].
The care of Christ for his people is also reflected in his desire for their holiness. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Christ desires holiness for his people (John 17:17) and effects it in them through his work [6]. This holiness is a hallmark of those who are Christ's, and it is a result of his sovereign care.
The biblical concept of praise is closely linked to Christ's sovereignty and care. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that Christ is worthy of praise (Rev. 5:12) and that praise is offered to him (John 12:13) [7]. The act of praising Christ acknowledges his sovereignty and care for his people.
The grace of God, which is a manifestation of Christ's care, is described as sovereign and great (Torrey's Topical Textbook) [8]. This grace is given by Christ and is a fundamental aspect of the gospel. The glory that Christ gives to his people is another aspect of his care, as noted in Torrey's Topical Textbook, citing John 17:22 [9].
In interpreting these concepts, various Christian traditions offer insights. John Gill, representing the Baptist/Reformed tradition, comments on Psalm 149:4, highlighting that the Lord's pleasure is in his special people, whom he has chosen and redeemed [10]. Similarly, Adam Clarke, from the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, interprets Daniel 7:14 as referring to Christ's everlasting dominion, which will prevail until the end of the world [11].
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the comfort that God's people derive from his righteousness and salvation, as proclaimed in Isaiah 51:4 [12]. John Gill also notes that God's loving-kindness to his people is marvellous and sovereign, demonstrated in his choice and redemption of them [13].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Psalms “Psalms 149:4 (BBE) — For the Lord has pleasure in his people: he gives the poor in spirit a crown of salvation.”
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 33:3 (LITV) — Yes, He loves the peoples; all His holy ones are in Your hand; and they sit down at Your feet; He lifts up each at Your words.”
- Joel “Joel 2:18 (Geneva1599) — Then will the Lord be ielous ouer his land, and spare his people.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory — God is, to his people -- Ps 3:3; Zec 2:5. Christ is, to his people -- Isa 60:1; Lu 2:32. The gospel ordained to be, to saints -- 1Co 2:7. Of the gospel, exceeds that of the law -- 2Co 3:9,10. The joy of saints is full of -- 1Pe 1:8. Spiritual Is given by God. -- Ps 84:11. Is given by Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Is the work of the Holy Spirit. -- 2Co 3:18. Eternal Procured by the death of Christ. -- Heb 2:10. Accompanies salvation by Christ. -- 2Ti 2:10. Inherited by saints. -- 1Sa 2:8; Ps 73:24; Pr 3:35; Col 3:4; 1Pe 5:10. Saints called to. --”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 149:4: For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people,.... Not all mankind; though they are all his people by creation, and are under the care of his providence; yet they are not all acceptable to him; some are abhorred by him for their sins and transgressions: but these are a special and peculiar people, whom he has foreknown and chosen, taken into the covenant of his grace, and provided in it blessings for them; whom he has given to Christ, and he has redeemed; and who are called by the Spirit and grace of God, whereby they appear to be his people. These the Lord loves with a”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 7:14: And there was given him dominion - This also is applied to our Lord Jesus by himself, after his resurrection, Mat 28:18. His dominion is an everlasting dominion - Christianity shall increase, and prevail to the end of the world. See the parallel passages in the margin.”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 51:4: Both these proclamations, as I may call them, end alike with an assurance of the perpetuity of God's righteousness and his salvation; and therefore we put them together, both being designed for the comfort of God's people. Observe, I. Who they are to whom this comfort belongs: "My people, and my nation, that I have set apart for myself, that own me and are owned by me." Those are God's people and his nation who are subject to him as their King and their God, pay allegiance to him, and put themselves under his protection accordingly. They are a people who know righ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 17:7: Show thy marvellous loving kindness,.... Such is the lovingkindness of God to his people in Christ; which is sovereign, free, special, distinguishing, everlasting, and unchangeable; it is better than life, and passes knowledge; and which is set upon men and not angels, some and not all, and these many of them the worst and vilest of men, and all of them by nature children of wrath as others; and which has appeared in choosing them in Christ, putting them into his hand, and making a covenant with him for them; in sending him into the world to suffer and die for them; i”