The Godness of God

The Bible teaches that God sovereignly decrees everything that comes to pass, including salvation. Romans 9 says that God has mercy on whom He has mercy, compassion on whom He has compassion, and He hardens those He hardens. And the immediate response of anyone following the argument is also included in Romans 9: Then why does God find fault? How can God punish those He has hardened? Who can resist His will? And the answer is there in Romans 9 as well: “Who are you, O man, to argue with God? Shall the thing formed say to Him who formed him, why have you made me like this?”  

God is the potter, and we are the clay, and He has the right to make what He wants from the same lump, some vessels for honor, some for dishonor. And He does this in order to display His power, and wrath, and mercy. This is a great stumbling block for many, and Romans 9 acknowledges that as well: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whosever believes on Him shall not be ashamed” (Rom. 9:33). 

What is that stumbling stone and rock of offense? It is the sovereignty of God, the Godness of God. He is God and we are not. He is God, and He does whatever He pleases. 

But, you might be tempted to say, does this turn us all into robots, into puppets? And the answer is clearly, no. God is sovereign, and He does whatever He pleases, and the call is still there: “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” It’s not like there are some people who really want to be saved but they can’t since God won’t let them. No, everyone who wants to be saved only wants to because God has given them that desire. 

So do not say, there is nothing for me to do. No, do not stumble on this truth, that God is God and you are not. Embrace it. Let it humble you. Let it drive you to your knees in worship. Believe in Him and you will never be put to shame. 

Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash