Freedom in Surrender to God's Sovereign Plan

The concept of freedom in surrender to God's sovereign plan is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the liberation of believers from various forms of bondage through their relationship with God. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, this freedom is foretold in Isaiah 42:7 and 61:1, and is conferred by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit through the gospel ^[2].

The biblical basis for this concept is seen in passages such as Psalms 54:6, where the psalmist expresses his intention to sacrifice to God with a free will offering, indicating a voluntary and willing act of devotion ^[1]. This idea is reinforced by Easton's Bible Dictionary, which defines a free-will offering as a spontaneous gift, as opposed to one made in consequence of a vow or in expiation of an offense ^[4].

The relationship between freedom and surrender is closely tied to the sovereignty of God, which is described by Easton's Bible Dictionary as God's absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11) ^[5]. This sovereignty is not in conflict with human freedom, but rather enables it. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, the service of Christ is characterized as freedom, specifically freedom from the law, the curse of the law, the fear of death, sin, corruption, and bondage to human ordinances ^[2].

In the New Testament, this freedom is further elaborated upon by the apostle Paul, who writes that believers have boldness and access to God through Christ (Ephesians 3:12) ^[8]. This access is not just a privilege, but also a demonstration of the liberty that believers have in Christ. According to Tyndale House's commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16, believers who turn to the Lord have freedom in the Spirit, and this freedom is characterized by a transformation into the likeness of Christ ^[7].

The surrender aspect of this concept is emphasized in Torrey's Topical Textbook under the heading of "Resignation," where it is described as submission to the will of God and his sovereignty in his purposes (2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10; Ro 9:20,21) ^[6]. This submission is not a reluctant or forced obedience, but rather a willing surrender to God's plan. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on James 4:7 notes, submitting to God is a necessary step in resisting the devil, and it is characterized by humility and a willingness to be in subjection to God ^[10].

The biblical concept of freedom in surrender to God's sovereign plan is thus not a contradictory or paradoxical idea, but rather a nuanced and multifaceted one. It involves a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a willingness to surrender to his will, which in turn enables believers to experience true freedom. As Tyndale House's commentary on Jeremiah 7:20 notes, true obedience to God is not just about following rules or offering sacrifices, but about having a personal relationship with God that is characterized by trust and devotion ^[9].

In this context, prayer is an essential aspect of surrendering to God's sovereign plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the importance of prayer, noting that it is commanded in Scripture (Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6) and is to be offered to God through Christ ^[3]. Prayer is not just a means of making requests to God, but also a way of aligning one's will with God's will, and thus it is an expression of surrender to his sovereignty.

The understanding of freedom in surrender to God's sovereign plan has been developed throughout Christian history, with various traditions emphasizing different aspects of this concept. However, at its core, this concept remains a central aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the liberation of believers from bondage and their surrender to God's sovereign will.

The biblical emphasis on God's sovereignty and human freedom is not limited to specific passages, but is woven throughout the fabric of Scripture. Deuteronomy 32:40, for example, highlights God's solemn intention to keep his covenant promises, underscoring his reliability and faithfulness ^[11]. This theme is echoed in Ephesians 1:7, which notes that believers have been purchased with the blood of Christ, emphasizing the depth of God's commitment to their freedom ^[12].

Sources

Psalms “With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. -- Psalms 54:6”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberty, Christian — Foretold -- Isa 42:7; 61:1. Conferred By God. -- Col 1:13. By Christ. -- Ga 4:3-5; 5:1. By the Holy Spirit. -- Ro 8:15; 2Co 3:17. Through the gospel. -- Joh 8:32. Confirmed by Christ -- Joh 8:36. Proclaimed by Christ -- Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18. The service of Christ is -- 1Co 7:22. Is freedom from The law. -- Ro 7:6; 8:2. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The fear of death. -- Heb 2:15. Sin. -- Ro 6:7,18. Corruption. -- Ro 8:21. Bondage of man. -- 1Co 9:19. Jewish ordinances. -- Ga 4:3; Col 2:20. Called the glorious liberty of the children of God -- Ro”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Free-will offering — A spontaneous gift (Ex. 35:29), a voluntary sacrifice (Lev. 22:23; Ezra 3:5), as opposed to one in consequence of a vow, or in expiation of some offence.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 3:16: 3:16-18 The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; Phil 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2).”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:12: In whom we have boldness and access,.... Into the holy of holies, to the throne of grace there, and to God the Father, as seated on it: Christ is the way of access; union to him gives right of access; through his mediation his people have audience of God, and acceptance with him, both of person and service: and this access is with boldness; which denotes liberty of coming, granted by God, and a liberty in their own souls to speak out their minds plainly and freely; and an holy courage and intrepidity of soul, being free from servile fear, or a spirit of bondage; wh”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 7:20: 7:20-23 The people’s offerings and sacrifices meant nothing to the Lord if disobedience ruled in their hearts. Their sacrifices did not manipulate God into doing something he would rather not do. Rather, they embodied the people’s trust in God’s gracious forgiveness. When the people tried to use the sacrificial system to manipulate God while living self-serving lives, it only infuriated him (Isa 1:10-16; Amos 5:21-27). Obedience to God allows for a personal relationship between God and his people that provides the basis for a wonderful future (Hos 6:6).”
James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:7: Submit to . . . God--so ye shall be among "the humble," Jam 4:6; also Jam 4:10; Pe1 5:6. Resist . . . devil--Under his banner pride and envy are enlisted in the world; resist his temptations to these. Faith, humble prayers, and heavenly wisdom, are the weapons of resistance. The language is taken from warfare. "Submit" as a good soldier puts himself in complete subjection to his captain. "Resist," stand bravely against. he will flee--Translate, "he shall flee." For it is a promise of God, not a mere assurance from man to man [ALFORD]. He shall flee w”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 32:40: 32:40 I raise my hand to heaven: This anthropomorphism (see study notes on 4:34 and 8:2) asserts God’s solemn intention to keep his covenant promises to deliver his people from their enemies. When God makes an oath, he is not bound to some course of action in the event that he proves undependable. Rather, the statement emphasizes the reliability of God’s promises above and beyond his character alone (see Num 14:21, 28; Isa 49:18; Ezek 20:5-6).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:7: 1:7 he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son: Believers, who were once prisoners of sin, are free from God’s judgment and from bondage to sin because of Christ’s sacrificial death (see 1:14; 4:30; Rom 3:24; 1 Cor 6:20; Col 1:14; cp. Matt 26:28; Mark 10:45; Heb 9:11-12, 26; 1 Pet 1:18-19).”

Ask Your Own Question