Let us continue our efforts to set the record straight about this misrepresentation surrounding “the sovereignty of God” perpetrated by the Church. Again, the Church has redefined “the sovereignty of God” to mean, “God is in total control and that nothing happens but that which the will of God allows to happen.” From our previous commentaries, we found that the devil, who is referred to as “the god of this world, the prince of this world, and the prince of the power of the air” (II Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2) is actually in control of this world’s system. We also know that Adam delivered this control over to the devil (Luke 4:5-6). The problem is that this misrepresentation has given many a false impression of God and has turned many away from God, all because they believe the redefined “sovereignty of God” definition. We have even coined the phrase, “an act of God” to use whenever there is a tragedy, a disaster, or a catastrophic event that we cannot explain by any other means.
Because God is the creator of all things (Nehemiah 9:6), he is the supreme power or the reigning authority, matched by no other. God is at the top, all by himself. There is not one above him or on the same level as him. There is no higher power or higher authority and none to equal him. God has no competition. This is the true definition of “the sovereignty of God.”
When man was created, God gave man authority or “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28). God told man to subdue the earth and have dominion over everything. He was to reign over God’s creation.
“When I look up into the night skies and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have made—I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him! And yet you have made him only a little lower than the angels and placed a crown of glory and honor upon his head. You have put him in charge of everything you made; everything is put under his authority: all sheep and oxen, and wild animals too, the birds and fish, and all the life in the sea” (Psalm 8:3-8 TLB).
According to this psalm from David, God placed man in charge of everything he had made as well as placing everything under his authority. Man was truly in charge of everything God had created. However, when man sinned, he allowed sin to enter into the world and with that sin came death, which would eventually spread to all things.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).
From that point forward, all mankind had a sin nature, becoming “slaves to sin” (John 8:34; Romans 6:20). Now, the payment for this sin or “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). It is through sin that the devil has gained access to mankind and to the world’s system, because when Adam sinned, he actually gave the authority or dominion that God had given to him to the devil (Luke 4:5-6). But all glory belongs to God because “the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Because Jesus was innocent of any sin, yet death came to him, he was able to claim back the authority or dominion that Adam had lost. Remember the payment for sin was death, but in Jesus’ case, death claimed one who had not sinned. Because of his obedience, Jesus actually reversed what Adam had done in the beginning when he sinned. This is why it says in the scriptures, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:7). In this case, “it” is in reference to God’s plan of redemption for mankind (Ephesians 1:9-11). Jesus was able to get back for us what Adam had given to the devil, our authority and our dominion.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).
This power that Jesus is speaking of here is “the power, the authority, and the dominion” that was given originally to man by God. Jesus got all of it back.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
Instead of there being limits to what God allows that devil to do, it is us, the children of God, who have the power to limit what the devil can do (Matthew 18:18, just to list one of many empowering passages). But instead of using this power, we continually pray to God for help with our adversary, the devil (I Peter 5:8). The problem is that God has already answered this prayer request, but the devil has hidden this truth from the world, so not many know the truth. The truth is that the devil can do no more than we, the children of God allow him to do. We are in control because Jesus got back what God had originally given us, the power, the authority, and the dominion” over all of his creation.
As always, we pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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