THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF GOD continued

THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF GOD continued

There is much more that can be said.  I have hardly scratched the surface.  Below, however, is an article that my friend, Brant Seacrist published in his church paper.  By his permission, I am concluding this series with the publishing of his article on my same text.

SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Acts 2:23

The God of the Bible is an absolute Sovereign. This concept was wrested from the minds of men by the temptation and ultimate fall in the Garden. Part of the deception was “…ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” That thought has persisted in that men think themselves to be free agents with the ability to rise to the level of divine acceptance. The thought of one exercising such dominance over them so as to make even their evil acts to serve His purpose is hateful to them. Many pay lip-service to a belief in the sovereignty of God. They freely use such terms as “almighty,” “all-wise” and “all-powerful” but insist that the dominion stops at their will.

The following definitions of “sovereign” are taken from the Webster’s Dictionary of 1828. (1) Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe. (2) Supreme; superior to all others; chief; God is the sovereign good of all who love and obey Him. (3) Supremely efficacious; superior to all others; predominant; effectual; as a sovereign remedy. As we carry these thoughts to the Word of God we find these things to be confirmed. Peter reinforced this thought with regard, especially, to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ our Lord.

This text tells of a most profound exercise of the sovereignty of God. It would seem that the disciples thought that all had gone awry and was lost as they witnessed the suffering and death of Christ our Lord. They could not grasp that the One who had raised the dead would Himself be raised and salvation would be accomplished. The sovereignty of God was not in their thoughts. But, when the day of Pentecost was fully come and the Holy Spirit empowered them and brought to their minds the living truth He had given them, the sovereignty of God was the dominant issue. Peter related many things to the amazed crowd, but none so great as the fact that the Lamb of God had been delivered up at precisely the time and in precisely the manner determined from before the foundation of the world. God in perfect wisdom and exercising absolute control had before determined every detail and assured that the needs of every one of His people were met in what took place at Calvary. This was far removed from any concept that men might have as to how salvation would be determined. He was delivered up or surrendered to those who cruelly killed Him. His death was specifically marked out in accordance with the divine design and forethought of God. There was much to accomplish and there could be no mistakes. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32. Those things to be given to His people were the outcome of an eternal determination by the ultimate Sovereign and they are given for our good and His glory.

This account needs to be rehearsed in the ears of those who would seem to charge God in the matters of human tragedy and sorrow. We have heard the question. “How could God allow this to happen?” The answer is “how could he have allowed His Son to die in this manner?” He did not allow in either case – it was a matter of determination that it should happen!

Does Peter at this point contradict himself? He has attributed the death of Christ as accomplishing the will and purpose of a determined Sovereign. Then he charges the Jews with the death of Christ. They had taken Him and given Him into the hands of the Romans demanding His crucifixion. Ownership for this great sin was laid squarely at their feet. It is probable that some of them that had cried out “we will not have this man to rule over us,” were present. Had He not said to them on one occasion “fill ye up the measure of your fathers,” indicating that they would have done what they were going to do at the appointed time? Peter did not hesitate to press this charge on them. He charged them with killing the Prince of Life. See Acts 3:15. On two other occasions he charges them with crucifying Him and hanging Him on a tree. See Acts 4:10 and 5:30. It is evident that they were fully culpable in the death of Christ and yet God’s purpose in obtaining salvation was fully accomplished.

The fact is that what God did was fully in accordance with His own will and purpose and what men did was according to their will and purpose. It was the purpose of God that man should display the infinite extent of human depravity. It would also serve the purpose of bringing the Lamb to the place of sacrifice where the wrath of man against God would be displayed and the wrath of God against man would be felt in the soul of Christ. His soul was there made an offering for sin in the behalf of His people, for all that would ever call upon His Name. Here, true believers see the awfulness of sin (their sin) and learn of the price paid for their redemption. Those who die in unbelief have the testimony of the death of Christ as the assurance of their eternal punishment.
Charles Spurgeon was asked how he could reconcile divine sovereignty and human responsibility to which he replied “I would never try to reconcile friends.” We are not required to understand it all, but we must see redemption in Christ alone. When Peter’s message was finished many felt the stabbing of Holy Spirit conviction is their hearts as they confessed their guilt, and were graciously brought to repentance toward God and faith in Christ Jesus. The sovereignty of God demands that we seek only to Him for mercy in the matter of sin and guilt discovered. The efficacious remedy is found in Christ. bhs

Eld. Brant Seacrist, pastor

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

Richwood, WV