God's Sovereignty in Work and Calling in Scripture
God's Sovereignty in Work and Calling in Scripture
God's sovereignty is a foundational concept in Scripture, underscoring His absolute authority and control over all creation. This doctrine is intricately linked with the concept of calling, where God sovereignly calls individuals to salvation and service [1].
The biblical basis for God's sovereignty is rooted in various passages that highlight His omnipotence and authority. For instance, Job 37:5 states, "God thunders marvelously with his voice; he does great things, which we can't comprehend" [4]. Similarly, Psalm 62:11 affirms, "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God" [2]. These passages illustrate God's supreme power and control over all things.
The concept of calling is closely tied to God's sovereignty. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's call is "by Christ, by his Spirit, by his works, by his ministers, and by his gospel" [3]. This calling is not limited to salvation but also encompasses service and vocation. For example, 1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as being called "out of darkness into his marvelous light". This calling is effectual for saints, as seen in Acts 2:47 and 13:48, where those who are called are drawn to faith [3].
Different Christian traditions interpret the relationship between God's sovereignty and human response in various ways. For instance, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation, highlighting that God's call is effectual for those He has chosen [6]. In contrast, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, focuses on the universal call of God to all people, emphasizing human responsibility to respond to this call [7].
The Psalms provide significant insight into God's sovereignty and its implications for human understanding. Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalm 19:7 notes that God's glory is revealed both in creation and in divine revelation, with the latter being of greater benefit to humanity [8]. Furthermore, Psalm 82:1, as interpreted by Matthew Henry, underscores God's supreme presidency and power over all earthly authorities, emphasizing that magistrates derive their power from Him [9].
The sovereignty of God is also closely linked with the concept of election. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines election as "the Scripture speak[ing] of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege" and "an election of individuals to eternal life" [5]. This election is grounded in God's good pleasure, as seen in Ephesians 1:5 and 11.
Sources
- 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: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Call of God, The — By Christ -- Isa 55:5; Ro 1:6. By his Spirit -- Re 22:17. By his works -- Ps 19:2,3; Ro 1:20. By his ministers -- Jer 35:15; 2Co 5:20. By his gospel -- 2Th 2:14. Is from darkness -- 1Pe 2:9. Addressed to all -- Isa 45:22; Mt 20:16. Most reject -- Pr 1:24; Mt 20:16. Effectual to saints -- Ps 110:3; Ac 2:47; 13:48; 1Co 1:24. To man is Of grace. -- Ga 1:15; 2Ti 1:9. According to the purpose of God. -- Ro 8:28; 9:11,23,24. High. -- Php 3:14. Holy. -- 1Ti 1:9. Heavenly. -- Heb 3:1. To fellowship with Christ. -- 1Co 1:9. To holiness. -- 1Th 4:7. To liber”
- Job “God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend. -- Job 37:5”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 11:17: Saying, we give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty,.... The person addressed is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose the kingdoms are become, and who now reigns in great power and authority; he is Lord of all, and truly and properly God, and the Almighty, as his works of creation, preservation, redemption, raising himself from the dead, &c. declare; and each of these titles exceedingly well suit him, when his visible kingdom on earth will be so greatly enlarged: which art, and wast, and art to come: the everlasting, "I am", the unchangeable Jehovah: the phrase is express”
- Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 37 (introduction): Elihu continues to set forth the wisdom and omnipotence of God, as manifested in the thunder and lightning, Job 37:1-5; in the snows and frosts, Job 37:6-8; in various meteors; and shows the end for which they are sent, Job 37:9-13. Job is exhorted to consider the wondrous works of God in the light, in the clouds, in the winds, in heat and cold, in the formation of the heavens, and in the changes of the atmosphere, Job 37:14-22. The perfections of God, and how he should be reverenced by his creatures, Job 37:23, Job 37:24.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 19:7: God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here, 1. The psalmist gives”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 82:1: We have here, I. God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts asserted and laid down, as a great truth necessary to be believed both by princes and subjects (Psa 82:1): God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty, the mighty One, in coetu fortis - in the councils of the prince, the supreme magistrate, and he judges among the gods, the inferior magistrates; both the legislative and the executive power of princes is under his eye and his hand. Observe here, 1. The power and honour of magistrates; they are the mighty. They are so”