Monday, August 7, 2017

August 8, 2017

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalm 24:1-2

Jesus Christ is sovereign Lord of the universe times two!

He is Lord because He is Creator. By His Word alone it all appeared! And, He is Lord because He is the Christ. He died to redeem creation and take back the keys to the Kingdom from the enemy! Then, He rose again to validate His victory.

Let me suggest that when you can speak mountains and oceans and planets into existence, then you can question His sovereignty. When you die and rise from the dead I will take your objections to His Lordship seriously.

Why would anyone question the sovereignty of God? Why would they want to?

To understand the answer you must comprehend the nature of sin. Sin is rebellion against God and a deviant desire to live as you wish without consequences. If God exists and is sovereign then there are conesquences to sin. So, over the past century there has been an all out war against God and the Bible.

Where has that gotten us?

The fact is you were created and you were created to need and desire God. So, if you try to eliminate God you will have to find an alternative god. That has taken several forms in 2017 America and none of them are pretty.

One alternative is godless hedonism where each person does what he wants when he wants however he wants and calls it okay. There are a number of problems with that philosophy, the least of which is that it leads to chaos.  If everyone lives according to his own desires everyone is basically out of control. When things are out of control someone will step in to take control and that is always the biggest, strongest person. It never ends well.

Another alternative is government becomes god. That is where we are in America today. Why else would mayors in four major cities get involved with chicken sandwiches? Why would government care how many guns you have? Why would government want control over your personal health care? Ultimately government becomes that biggest, strongest tyrant that becomes sovereign in your life.

"The earth is the government's and everything in it, and all who live in it........'

How does that sound?

I choose to make God the sovereign Lord and Ruler of my life - He is my Creator and He is my Christ.

How about you?








August 7, 2017

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalm 24:1-2

Psalm 23 is everyone's favorite as it celebrates our Great Shepherd, the Lord. Following, of course, is the 24th Psalm which confirms the Sovereignty of the Lord.

What does that mean?

In short, it means He is in charge and you're not. It means He is in control and you aren't. Those are true because He is the Creator and you're not.

When you acknowledge the fact of His sovereignty it changes everything because you are then confronted by your accountability to Him.

This raises the issue of reconciling His sovereignty and your freewill. If He is sovereign then what does your freewill really mean? Where does your will begin and His sovereignty end?

The late, great A.W. Tozer attempted to reconcile these seemingly contradictory ideas of God choosing or calling us and our choosing God with this illustration:

"An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty.

"On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains, neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port (which they have accepted as their destination).

"Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history."

I am glad God is sovereign!  Are you?

I am happy He is in charge! Are you?

I freely give Him control of my life! Are you?

I am thrilled that my Creator is also my Christ! What about you?