Two Doctrines: Scripture is crystal clear that the LORD’s sovereignty rules over all things (Ps. 103:19). He works all things for His good pleasure for the good of His elect.[1] In fact, all of history is under God’s control and is the unfolding of His plan on earth (Is. 46:10). God’s comprehensive control means His sway over all things, even humans and their works.[2] But at the same time, Scripture affirms human responsibility. Humans are free moral agents with a real choice and they are held responsible for the choice that they make. Man is, therefore, called to choose life not death, blessing not the curse (Dt. 30:19-20).[3] They are to strive to enter through the narrow door and choose the narrow way to life, not the broad way to destruction (Mt. 7:13-14; Lk. 13:24). The two doctrines stand as pillars that buttress much of biblical revelation.

Concurrence: These two truths are never said to contradict each other but do work together.[4] At the same time that man is responsible for his actions (even when they are evil), God intends those very actions for the good of His people. Whether it is the selling of Joseph into slavery (Gen. 50:20), the crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:23), or Paul’s persecution of Christians (1 Tim. 1:13-16), though men meant evil, God meant it for good. This principle holds true even for the creation of Satan and his deception in Eden; it’s all for the glory of God in Christ (Col. 1:16; Rom. 11:36). What Satan meant for evil, God meant it for good, to redeem sinners and to make them into His children and a trophy of His grace.[5]

[1] Ps. 103 speaks of the LORD’s sovereign good toward His people. Cf. also 115:3; 135:6; Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:11.

[2] This is seen throughout Scripture: Prov. 16:4, 9, 33; 21:1; 2 Chron. 20:6; Dan. 2:21; 4:34-35.

[3] They were to choose (1 Kings 18:21), to repent (Ezek. 18:31-32), and to return to the LORD (Zech. 1;3).

[4] This is “the co-operation of the divine power with all subordinate powers, according to the pre-established laws of their operation, causing them to act and to act precisely as they do” (Berkhof, Systematic [2012], 171).

[5] For redemption, cf. Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; for adoption, cf. Eph. 1:4-5; and for trophy, cf. Eph. 2:7; 3:10.