It is the essence of unbelief to imagine that a man is, or can be, autonomous from God. Ever since the Fall, the heart of every man has chafed against the awareness that God made us, sustains us, and exercises absolute dominion over us. In fact, that is exactly the case that Satan made to Adam and Eve, leading to their fist sins.
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?' And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil'" (Genesis 3:1-5).
Satan made a disingenuous offer to Adam and Eve: "Rebel against God and serve me, and I will give you authority to decide good and evil for yourselves." Adam and Eve accepted his offer, and came under the dominion of Satan. However, they never received the promised autonomy, because Satan didn't have it himself to give it to them. He, too, can only act as God permits him to act (Job 1:12). Does Satan imagine himself to be autonomous? Possibly.
Yet, Solomon, the wisest and richest king Israel ever knew, denied that he was autonomous from God. He admitted that he made plans to do this or that, but it was the purposes of God that always prevailed.
And this is my question: If an absolute ruler, with massive wealth and unquestioned power, yet confessed that his actions were always at the sovereign and prior command of God, who are you, O Man, to claim that you are sovereign, determine your own life and morals, and will yourself to salvation, eternal life, and sanctification? What presumption!
1 comment:
Chris, I didn't think I knew anyone who actually thinks the way you describe here: "who are you, O Man, to claim that you are sovereign, determine your own life and morals, and will yourself to salvation, eternal life, and sanctification?". But, upon reflection, I can see that many must! Thanks
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