Ask Fred > Faith > Is God's sovereignty limited by our free will?
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Dear Fred
Is God's sovereignty limited by our free will?
Fred's Response
Seemingly your interpretation of sovereignty would require that we be robots. God's sovereignty permits Him to make delegations without violating His sovereignty. Have you considered that God does not have a specific plan but has a purpose which is maturing us in the likeness of Christ? I have felt that a specific plan would invalidate this purpose. In order to accomplish the purpose He delegates opportunities for choice. He also has a provision for restoring us when we have made the wrong choice. I believe that God constructs circumstances that help us to mature. I have come to believe that my only free will is to react, not to initiate. God is the initiator; I mature as I correctly react. Remember, one of the uniquenesses of Christianity is that we have a loving God who is seeking our welfare. We are not as those whose gods are unknowable and must be appeased through moral accomplishment. If you are really serious in finding an answer I would strongly recommend J.I. Packer's writings on sovereignty and man's responsibility. I commend you for thinking about this so earnestly.
