Sovereignty, Politics & Free Will

Exploring the Dynamics of Power

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Sovereignty- God's supreme power
Politics- Government power
Free Will- Individual power

Since the beginning of time, humans have been endowed with free will, the divine gift that allows us to choose our paths. In granting this freedom, God, in His sovereignty, has established rules for us to follow—not to compel obedience as if we were mere robots or puppets, but to cultivate a relationship grounded in love and respect. As it is written in Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV), “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

When God created the earth, He laid down the laws that govern its function. He established day and night, the sun, moon, and stars, as well as every living creature. God intricately designed the science and art by which energy, matter, and life operate. His sovereignty governs these laws, as articulated in Psalm 103:19 (NIV), “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”

For example, God created gravity, oxygen, minerals, and natural resources—like water and gas—with their inherent functions and regulations, which remain unchangeable. Our role is to respond to or discover what God has already set in motion. This is the essence of His sovereignty. Only God has the authority to command the sun to rise or to set; the sun exists under His governance.

To illustrate the interplay of sovereignty, free will, and politics, we can turn to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's choices reflect these concepts in action. In Genesis 1:27 (NIV), we learn that God created humanity in His own image, male and female. He placed them in the garden, granting them dominion over the earth and its creatures, making them the first stewards of creation.

In Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV), God provided Adam and Eve with clear instructions: “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’” This command exemplifies their free will. They were free to obey or disobey, with the understanding that their decisions would have profound consequences.

The narrative continues in Genesis 3 with the introduction of the serpent, who embodies disobedience to God's sovereignty. The serpent persuades Adam and Eve into disregarding God's command, thus introducing sin into the world. As recorded in Genesis 3:6 (NIV), “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” Their choice to eat from the forbidden tree marked the beginning of humanity's struggle with free will and governance apart from God.

As a result of their disobedience, humanity fell out of alignment with God's sovereignty, leading to a chaotic exercise of free will and politics. The Old Testament illustrates how this complexity evolved as humanity grew increasingly estranged from God's laws. In Genesis 6:5 (NIV), we read, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” In response, God decided to cleanse the earth through the flood, preserving Noah and his family as a fresh start for humanity.

Even after this divine reset, free will led humanity to establish complex political systems, often in direct opposition to God's will. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4) serves as a prime example of humanity's desire to govern independently of God, leading to their scattering and confusion.

God chose Abram, later named Abraham, through whom He would restore His sovereignty to humanity’s governance. As stated in Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV), God promised Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Through Abraham’s obedience, the nation of Israel was born—a people called to live under God's supreme governance.

Despite God's desire to be their sovereign ruler, Israel demanded a king, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:7 (NIV): “And the Lord told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.’” God answered their request, granting them a monarchy, yet the people retained the free will to obey or disobey Him. Throughout their history, Israel experienced cycles of disobedience, enslavement, repentance, and liberation—a reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine sovereignty.

As we transition to the New Testament, we see the culmination of God’s plan for reconciliation through Jesus Christ. He came to restore our relationship with God, as stated in John 14:6 (NIV), where Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” While the Israelites were under the rule of both King Herod and the Roman Empire, Jesus brought a new understanding of governance—one based on love, grace, and the kingdom of God.

Fast forward to modern day, and the political landscape is indeed more complex than ever. Instead of a monarchy, we live in a democracy where leaders are chosen by the people through elections. For instance, in the recent presidential election, many voters supported a candidate whose policies and beliefs may not align with biblical teachings. This situation raises a significant question: if the leader is not a person of faith, can they truly be considered God's chosen representative?

Some might argue that the outcome of the election reflects God's sovereignty, suggesting that divine intervention played a role in the victory. However, it can also be interpreted as a demonstration of God granting humanity free will to make choices, regardless of their alignment with His will. God is sovereign, but He allows us the freedom to determine our own paths, including in the realm of politics.

In conclusion, the interconnection of sovereignty, politics, and free will is a profound aspect of our existence. Understanding these concepts through biblical narratives can provide us with invaluable insights into our world today, emphasizing the importance of aligning our choices with God's ultimate will for humanity. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”