God's and Our Sovereignty

You might hear some people talk about the sovereignty of God, but the way they apply it is more like fatalism or determinism, which carry the spirit of hopelessness and are a form of spiritual, mental bondage. They want to offer a poor explanation for evil, death, sickness, destruction, and unbelief in the world based upon it somehow being God's “unalterable will”. This isn't accurate. God's sovereignty has to do with His Kingdom rule – His supreme rule over all and His self-governance. He is the God above all gods and LORD above all kings, and a revealer of mysteries (Dan. 2:47). What those who wrongly apply the sovereignty of God often don't explain, is that God invites us, as Christians and as His children, into that place of Kingdom rule with Him. “...and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.” (Revelation 1:6). A king has power and responsibility to discharge that power by upholding and extending justice and mercy and by “winnowing over evil” that exists in their sphere of influence so that righteousness is exalted among the people they serve, and hope and expectation for good arises, and evil is marginalized. A priest speaks and appeals to God (as in intercession) on behalf of the people they have influence over – even if it is just as a parent, or as a city counsel member, or even a pastor. A priest also declares, like a prophet or preacher, what God is saying to these people. To misuse the “sovereignty of God” and suggest we are unable to effect change in the world is essentially abdicating our responsibility to rule as His spiritual kings and priests. When we submit to His rule and reign over us, His rule and Melchizedek priesthood is extended through us. His Sovereignty becomes our sovereignty. This is why He tells us that His Kingdom is “among you” and “in you” (Luke 17:21). This is also why He told us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It is not merely invoking some prayer for future millennial reign. It is an expectation for God to do something now which extends the rule of Heaven into the earth. This produces a multitude of consequences and answers to prayer – healing, deliverance, miracles, salvation, breaking curses, real prosperity, wholeness, all the fruits and gifts of His Spirit, godliness, overcoming sin, the devil and all his works, and decreasing the influence of the evil realm. So when I am talking about God's sovereignty, I am speaking about His ability and will to do the impossible, His power and love extending everywhere around me through all my relationships and places I have authority and influence or places I will have influence. “Sovereignty” is a word that invokes hope and expectation for positive divine change and progress. It indicates that God, like a powerful, loving Father will come intervene in and through our lives to show the world that He hears their prayers and answers with Heaven's roar.