Sovereign Grace Illustrated

Hebrews 2:16

Throughout the Old Testament we are given example after example of God’s sovereignty in salvation. One glaring example of God’s sovereignty is Pharaoh. God raised him up for no other purpose but to harden his heart and dump him and the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea so that his sovereign power might be declared throughout the world (Rom. 9:17).

Perhaps you think, “All that was in the Old Testament. God is different now.” Do not be so foolish. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament, too. He never changes (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). His glorious sovereignty is just as clearly exemplified, and even more fully revealed in the New Testament.

When our Lord passed by gathering his disciples, he called Simon and Adrew, but not their father. He chose James and John, but not Zebedee. He healed some, and left others to die. He called some, and passed others by. He saved some who sought him (The woman with an issue of blood), and did not save others who sought him (The rich young ruler). Christ died for some, but did not die for others (John 10:11, 26). He was gracious to some, but not to others. This is a fact - God does not deal with all people alike.

The New Testament plainly and forcibly teaches the gospel doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty in the exercise of his grace (Matt. 11:20-27; John 12:36-41; Rom. 11:5-11, 32-36).

This is something we must see and acknowledge. The God of glory is absolutely sovereign in salvation. He wounds; and he heals. He kills; and he makes alive. It is his sovereign right to either save me or damn me, to either be gracious to me, or to pass me by.

Rebels would be wise to fall down before his sovereign throne, and beg for mercy. Like the Leper, fall down at his feet and say, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” (Mk. 1:40). Will you perish in your proud rebellion; or will you take your place in the dust and beg for mercy?

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry:

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not, do not pass me by!

I tell you without hesitation that this gospel doctrine of divine sovereignty is vital. You will either bow to God’s righteous sovereignty, or you will perish in your rebellion.