Section 5: Will and Sovereignty — God’s Unchanging Will vs. Human Instability
1. Introduction
The question of will—who controls events, makes decisions, and directs outcomes—is central to biblical theology and human experience. Scripture reveals God as sovereign: His will is unchanging, purposeful, and irresistible. By contrast, human will is limited, changeable, and often in conflict with itself. This section examines the nature of God’s sovereign will, the variability of human choice, and the theological implications of this contrast for freedom, responsibility, and divine providence.
2. God’s Sovereign Will in Scripture
God’s sovereign will (Greek: thelēma tou Theou) is His supreme authority and intention, which determines all that happens in creation.
- “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth” (Psalm 135:6)
- “He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11)
- “No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13)
God’s will is:
- Eternal (Isa. 46:10) – not subject to change or outside influence
- Free and self-determined – not constrained by anything outside Himself
- Good and just (Rom. 12:2; Ps. 33:5) – reflects perfect wisdom and righteousness
- Effective – always fulfilled in its appointed time (Isa. 55:11)
Theologians often distinguish:
- Decretive Will – God’s sovereign plan (Eph. 1:11)
- Preceptive Will – God’s moral commands (Matt. 7:21)
- Permissive Will – God’s allowance of certain actions for a greater purpose (Gen. 50:20)
3. The Instability of the Human Will
Human beings were created with freedom of will, yet post-Fall, the human will became inclined toward sin and spiritually weakened (Rom. 8:7).
- “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19)
- “The sinful mind is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so” (Romans 8:7)
- “The double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8)
Human will is:
- Conflicted – desires often war against each other (Gal. 5:17)
- Bound – enslaved to sin without divine intervention (John 8:34)
- Changeable – easily swayed by emotion, fear, or pride
- Limited – unable to bring about all it intends (Prov. 19:21)
Though humans are morally responsible for their choices, those choices are made within the bounds of their fallen nature and finite power.
4. Comparative Analysis: Divine Will vs. Human Will
| Aspect | Divine Nature (Sovereign Will) | Human Nature (Limited Will) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Self-determined, eternal (Isa. 46:10) | Created, derivative, finite (Gen. 2:7) |
| Consistency | Unchanging, perfect (Mal. 3:6) | Shifting, double-minded (James 1:8) |
| Moral Purity | Always good, never evil (Ps. 33:5) | Affected by sin, capable of evil (Rom. 3:10–12) |
| Effectiveness | Always accomplished (Eph. 1:11) | Frequently frustrated or blocked (Prov. 16:9) |
| Freedom | Totally free and sovereign | Spiritually bound without grace (Rom. 6:16–20) |
| Relationship to Sin | Permits but never causes sin (James 1:13) | Inclined toward sin by nature (Eph. 2:3) |
| Goal of Will | God’s glory and redemptive purpose (Rom. 11:36) | Self-preservation, comfort, ambition (Gen. 11:4) |
5. Theological and Doctrinal Insights
a. God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
The tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom has long been debated. Scripture holds both as true: God’s will governs all (Prov. 16:33), yet humans are responsible for their choices (Matt. 12:36; Rom. 14:12).
This mystery is not solved but maintained in tension, often referred to as compatibilism (i.e. human freedom operates within divine sovereignty).
b. Free Will and Grace
Augustine taught that true freedom is not autonomy, but the freedom to will what is good, which only grace can restore. Luther’s Bondage of the Will (1525) affirms that fallen human will is not free in the ultimate sense without divine regeneration (cf. John 6:44).
c. God’s Will and Evil
God permits evil acts (e.g., Joseph’s betrayal in Gen. 50:20), yet remains morally blameless. His will overrules evil for good, without being its author.
6. Christological Fulfilment: The Perfect Will of the Son
Jesus uniquely exemplifies the union of divine and human will, submitting perfectly to the Father:
- “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)
- “I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29)
- “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” (John 4:34)
Christ’s obedience (Phil. 2:8) undoes Adam’s rebellion, inaugurating a new humanity in which the human will is restored to alignment with God’s.
7. Practical Implications for Christian Life
- Surrender: Trusting God’s will above our own (Prov. 3:5–6; Matt. 6:10)
- Discernment: Learning to seek and obey God’s will (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:17)
- Sanctification: Through grace, our wills are strengthened to choose righteousness (Phil. 2:13)
- Endurance: Resting in God’s sovereign purpose even when plans fail (Job 42:2)
8. Conclusion
The contrast between God’s sovereign, unchanging will and humanity’s unstable, fallen will reveals the vast moral and metaphysical distance between Creator and creature. Yet through Christ, that gulf is bridged—not by the elevation of human will, but by its transformation. In redemption, God’s will is not merely imposed but internalised, enabling believers to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
References
- Augustine. (397/1998). Confessions. (Trans. H. Chadwick). Oxford University Press.
- Calvin, J. (1559/1960). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster Press.
- Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology. Leicester: IVP.
- Luther, M. (1525/1957). The Bondage of the Will. (Trans. Packer & Johnston). Revell.
- Sproul, R. C. (1994). Chosen by God. Wheaton: Tyndale.
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
- The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)