Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Autonomy

The question of why God allows certain things to happen to us and not others can be complex and difficult to understand. One aspect of this is the concept of God's sovereignty and human autonomy. God grants us an area of autonomy, allowing us to accept or reject Him, which can lead to a desire to pursue Him. However, this desire arises out of our autonomy, and we must recognize that God's sovereignty is not limited by our actions, including our prayers. This means that God's will is not bound to ignore our actions, and He can still choose to save us even if we don't feel like we deserve it.

The Doctrine of Election and Salvation

The doctrine of election tells us that we are Christians simply because God in eternity past decided to set His love on us. This means that our salvation is not based on our own merits or actions, but rather on God's sovereign choice to save us. However, this does not mean that we are passive recipients of God's grace. Rather, we must respond to God's love and enter into a relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. This relationship is based on God's covenants, which are designed to provide for our salvation and restore our right-standing relationship with Him.

Responding to God's Sovereignty

When we struggle with understanding why God allows certain things to happen to us and not others, we must remember that God's sovereignty is not arbitrary or capricious. Rather, it is based on His love and desire for us to have a relationship with Him. We must respond to God's sovereignty by denying ourselves and losing ourselves to find ourselves in Him. This means being willing to surrender our autonomy and allow God to grip us with His love and power. Ultimately, our salvation is not based on our own efforts or merits, but rather on God's sovereign choice to save us through Jesus Christ. By responding to God's sovereignty, we can enter into a deep and meaningful relationship with Him, and experience the fullness of His love and redemption.