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The Fellowship Moment staged its inaugural session, diving into the profound theme of God’s sovereignty recently.
Pastor Olufemi Emmanuel, PhD, a theologian and lecturer at the West Africa Theological Seminary in Lagos, led the conversation, guiding participants through a deep exploration of one of God’s most awe-inspiring attributes-His Sovereignty.
The engaging lecture sparked insightful questions and discussions, shedding light on various dimensions of God’s sovereign nature.
Defining Sovereignty
Emmanuel began by anchoring the discussion in the song of Hannah from 1 Samuel 2, which he described as a powerful depiction of God’s sovereignty. In this song, Hannah exclaims that God has absolute authority over life and death, wealth and poverty, and humility and exaltation. “The pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,” Emmanuel emphasized, quoting Hannah, underscoring God’s control over creation.
He further reflected on how God’s actions, though often mysterious to human understanding, are always morally upright. “The fact that we cannot fully understand God’s ways suggests His sovereignty,” he remarked, opening the floor for participants to share their thoughts.
Faith and Sovereignty: A Complex Relationship
Florish Evans-Emmanuel raised an insightful question regarding the relationship between faith and sovereignty, especially in times of adversity. She asked, “How do we differentiate between accepting unfavorable circumstances as God’s will and praying for a change in those situations?”
Emmanuel responded by redefining faith. “Faith is not about manipulating circumstances to suit us; it’s an attitude of submission and worship,” he explained. He used Job’s story to illustrate this, noting that although Job suffered terribly, he responded with faith-filled acceptance. “Shall we receive good from God and not evil?” Job asked, acknowledging God’s sovereignty even in the midst of trials. Emmanuel emphasized that faith is trusting in God’s wisdom and goodness, regardless of the outcome.
The Origin of Evil and God’s Sovereignty
Damilare, another participant, asked, “If God is sovereign, does that mean everything that happens is His will, even evil?” Emmanuel clarified that while God is all-knowing and in control, not everything that happens is directly caused by Him. “Evil comes from Satan’s rebellion against God,” he explained, citing John 8:44, where Jesus describes Satan as “the father of lies” and “a murderer from the beginning.”
He further explained that while God permits evil, He is not the author of it. Instead, evil serves to demonstrate God’s ultimate power to bring good even from evil circumstances. This was exemplified in the story of Job, where God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith, but ultimately used that trial to fulfill His purpose.
Emmanuel emphasized that God’s sovereignty ensures that nothing happens outside of His knowledge or control, even though the source of evil lies in Satan’s actions.
Free Will and Divine Sovereignty
Dan Alabi asked a challenging question regarding free will, “If God is sovereign and knows everything, does human free will even matter?” Emmanuel acknowledged the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom. “Human free will operates within boundaries set by God,” he explained. He used the example of Adam and Eve’s choices in the Garden of Eden to illustrate that while they had free will, it was limited by God’s command.
He continued by discussing God’s foreknowledge. “God knows our choices, but He does not coerce them,” he said. “Even when people make decisions contrary to His will, God incorporates those choices into His overarching plan.” Emmanuel cited the stories of Pharaoh’s heart being hardened and Jacob and Esau’s destinies to demonstrate how God can work through human decisions to fulfill His purposes, while still holding people accountable for their actions.
Humility in Prayer and Sovereignty
Dan Alabi also asked about the place of humility in prayers and how that aligns with the sovereignty of God. He wanted to understand how acknowledging God’s sovereignty influences the way we approach prayer.
Emmanuel responded by highlighting the importance of humility in prayer. “Humility in prayer is recognizing that God’s will is supreme, and we are submitting to His plan,” he explained. He emphasized that when we pray, we should approach God with a sense of reverence, acknowledging His authority and trusting that His wisdom surpasses ours. “When we come before God, we should not pray with a sense of entitlement, but with a heart of submission,” Emmanuel said. “Our prayers should reflect an attitude of surrender to His will.”
He further explained that humility in prayer doesn’t mean we cannot ask God for change or intervention, but it means we pray with an understanding that God may choose to answer differently from what we desire. “Even when we ask for deliverance or healing, we do so with the understanding that God may allow us to go through certain trials for a greater purpose,” he said. This posture of humility aligns with the recognition of God’s sovereignty and His ability to work in all situations for His glory and our good.
Practical Lessons on God’s Sovereignty
As the session neared its end, Emmanuel shared practical lessons on how believers can live in light of God’s sovereignty. He encouraged participants to adopt humility and trust in God’s plan. “Faith means trusting God’s wisdom, even when it doesn’t make sense,” he said, urging them to refrain from using faith as a tool to demand specific outcomes from God.
“Trusting in God’s sovereignty requires submission,” he continued. “It means acknowledging that God’s ways are higher than ours.” He reminded participants that while it’s okay to pray for change, true faith involves accepting God’s will, even when it contradicts our desires or understanding.
Closing Reflections and Gratitude
Rinnah Adeyemi expressed her gratitude for the clarity Emmanuel brought to the discussion, particularly in understanding the distinction between God’s will and human responsibility. “It’s important to recognize that our choices still matter, but they are part of God’s greater plan,” she shared.
Emmanuel concluded the session by highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and reflection on complex theological issues. “This conversation does not exhaust the topic of God’s sovereignty,” he said. “Let us continue to seek understanding and trust in God’s wisdom.”
The inaugural session of The Fellowship Moment left participants with a renewed sense of awe and humility in the face of God’s sovereignty. It reinforced the need for believers to embrace God’s will in all circumstances, knowing that He is always in control, working all things together for His glory and our ultimate good.
Reflecting on God’s sovereignty, participants were reminded that it is not only a theological concept but a practical invitation to trust in God’s perfect wisdom. Whether we face blessings or challenges, the overarching truth is that God is sovereign, and He will use everything—good and bad—to fulfill His divine purpose.
