The Role of Sovereignty in Christian Holiness Theology
God's sovereignty refers to His absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure [1]. This divine prerogative is foundational to understanding Christian holiness, which is the state of being consecrated to God's service and conformed to His will [2]. The connection between God's sovereignty and the pursuit of holiness in believers is evident throughout Christian theology.
Holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God Himself, as described in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 15:4 [2]. For Christians, personal holiness is a gradual process of development, often described as sanctification, which involves watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance [2]. This pursuit of holiness is not based on human philosophical speculation but on actively doing God's will [5]. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states that God's will for believers is to be holy, specifically in avoiding sexual sin [5]. Similarly, Ephesians 4:2 exhorts believers to unity, love, purity, and holiness, emphasizing that these are essential for walking worthy of their calling [6].
The beauty of the church, as described in Psalm 45:11, is seen in the "beauty of holiness," which includes the righteousness of Christ, being washed from sin, and the implantation of the Spirit's graces [3]. This beauty is not naturally acquired but is given by God [3]. The concept of God's supreme sovereignty requires a corresponding holiness of life and heart from His worshippers [4]. This is illustrated in Psalm 24, which describes God's entrance into the sanctuary as requiring profound homage due to the majesty of His glory [4].
The understanding of God's sovereignty provides the framework for the believer's approach to God. Because God is sovereign, believers can boldly approach His "throne of grace" through Christ, seeking pardon, cleansing, righteousness, and grace [8]. The ultimate reward for those who pursue holiness is a "crown of righteousness," which is attained through the righteousness of Christ and signifies the blessedness of the future state [7]. This crown is a testament to God's sovereign plan for His people, who are destined to sit among princes and inherit a kingdom prepared for them [7].
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).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 45:11: So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty,.... Which lies in the comeliness or righteousness of Christ put upon her; in the holiness of Christ reckoned to her; in being washed from all sin in the blood of Christ; in the graces of the Spirit being implanted in her, in which the beauty of holiness lies; in the salvation she is interested in, and beautified with; in enjoying the order and ordinance of Christ's house, and in having the presence of God and Christ with her: and this beauty is not natural, nor acquired by her, but what is given her; it is not an outward, ”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 24 (introduction): God's supreme sovereignty requires a befitting holiness of life and heart in His worshippers; a sentiment sublimely illustrated by describing His entrance into the sanctuary, by the symbol of His worship--the ark, as requiring the most profound homage to the glory of His Majesty. (Psa 24:1-10) fulness--everything. world--the habitable globe, with they that dwell--forming a parallel expression to the first clause.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: 4:3 God’s will is for you to be holy: The foundation of Christian ethics is not philosophical speculation about virtue but doing God’s will (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; 13:20-21). Holiness (1 Thes 4:4, 7) embraces all of a person’s life (5:23); here it involves staying away from sexual sin (Greek porneia, any sexual union outside marriage).”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,.... The happiness of the future state of the saints is signified by a crown, on account of the glory and excellency of it; and in perfect agreement with the character of the saints, as kings; and who are raised to sit among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory, and have a kingdom prepared for them; and this is called a crown "of righteousness", because it comes through the righteousness of Christ; it is that which gives a right unto it, and without which it cannot be enjoyed; and because it is obtai”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:15: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,.... Either to Christ, who is before spoken of as an high priest, and who was typified by the mercy seat, to which there seems to be an allusion; and coming to him as a priest upon his throne is very proper: to him saints come for pardon and cleansing, and for a justifying righteousness, for the acceptance of their persons, and the presentation of their services, and for every supply of grace; and to him they may come "boldly", since he stands in the relations of a Father, husband, and brother, and from him they may”