The Sovereignty of God – A Reflection on A.W. Tozer’s Chapter 22 of The Knowledge of the Holy

The Parable of the Ocean Liner

Imagine an ocean liner embarking on its journey from New York to Liverpool. The destination is set by an authority far greater than the passengers on board. The passengers are free to roam the decks, dine, sleep, or play as they wish, yet their activities do not alter the ship’s course. This analogy beautifully encapsulates Tozer’s perspective on the sovereignty of God: God’s purposes are fixed, yet within His sovereign will, humanity has freedom to choose and act.

God’s Sovereignty Defined

Tozer explains God’s sovereignty as the attribute by which He rules over His entire creation. For God to be sovereign, He must possess three qualities:

1. Omniscience (All-Knowing):
   God must know all things, from the grandest designs of the universe to the smallest detail of existence. Were there even one piece of knowledge outside of His awareness, His sovereignty would be incomplete.

2. Omnipotence (All-Powerful):
   God’s power must be unlimited. If even a single atom of creation were beyond His control, His reign would falter, and He would cease to be sovereign.

3. Absolute Freedom:
   God must be free to act according to His will without constraint. Nothing can hinder, compel, or stop Him from accomplishing His purposes.

Reconciling God’s Sovereignty with Human Freedom

Tozer acknowledges the tension between God’s sovereignty and human free will, a debate that has divided Christians for centuries. However, he offers a perspective that reconciles the two:

• Freedom within Sovereignty:
  God, in His absolute sovereignty, decreed that humanity would have limited moral freedom. This freedom allows people to make genuine choices while still fulfilling God’s overarching purposes. Tozer likens this to passengers on the ocean liner—free to act within their environment but unable to change the ship’s course.

• God’s Sovereign Will in Human Choice:
  When humans choose good or evil, they do not thwart God’s sovereignty. Instead, their choices fulfill His eternal decree that they would have the ability to choose. God’s sovereign plan encompasses all human decisions, using them to bring about His ultimate purposes.

The Mystery of Evil

Tozer admits that the presence of evil, pain, and death in God’s creation remains a mystery. Yet, he assures us that these exist only within “carefully restricted areas” of God’s sovereign, permissive will. Evil operates as a fugitive outlaw, temporary and limited in scope, serving purposes known fully only to God. While we do not understand the full origin or allowance of evil, Tozer reminds us that God’s name and character guarantee the perfection of His works.

The Law of Choice and Consequences

Tozer highlights an immutable law within God’s sovereignty: choice and its consequences. God has decreed that those who believe in His Son will receive eternal life, while those who reject Him will face eternal separation. Though we are free to choose, the outcomes of our choices are predetermined by God’s sovereign will.

• The Call of the Gospel:
  Tozer frames the gospel as containing three elements: an announcement (redemption accomplished), a command (repent), and a call (surrender to Christ). Each person must decide whether to obey or reject the gospel. The choice is ours, but the consequences are fixed.

Practical Applications

1. Rest in God’s Sovereignty:
   Trust that God’s purposes are unchanging and His plans will never fail. This provides peace amid life’s uncertainties.

2. Exercise Your Freedom Wisely:
   Recognize that your choices have eternal significance. Choose to align your life with God’s will, responding to His call with faith and obedience.

3. Proclaim the Gospel Boldly:
   Share the gospel, knowing that God’s sovereign purposes will prevail. Trust Him to work through your obedience.

Reflection Questions

1. How does understanding God’s sovereignty impact the way you approach challenges and uncertainties in life?

2. What choices in your life reflect your trust in God’s sovereign plan?

3. How can you rest in the tension between God’s sovereignty and your own moral responsibility?

Prayer

Lord, we stand in awe of Your sovereignty, knowing that You are all-knowing, all-powerful, and absolutely free. Thank You for decreeing freedom within Your perfect plan, allowing us to choose to follow You. We choose to align our will with Your will and to trust in Your wisdom when faced with the mysteries of life. May we rest in the assurance that Your purposes will be fulfilled and Your name glorified. Amen.

Closing Thought

God’s sovereignty is not a threat to human freedom but its very foundation. Like passengers on the ocean liner, our choices are meaningful and significant, yet they occur within the unshakable framework of God’s eternal purposes. Let us live in reverence of His sovereignty and make choices that reflect His glory.

This post is inspired by A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy, urging us to marvel at the sovereignty of God and to live wisely within His eternal plan.