When we think about the meaning of this word, sovereign, we are brought to the place where we must acknowledge that God is sovereign. He is the only sovereign in this universe. To be sovereign means to not be dependent on any person, force of energy, or anything else other than itself. Of course, this limits the field to God Himself. God is not only self-existant but He is both visible and invisible, holy, separate and apart from sin. He is perfect. The Holy Scriptures often refer to Gods will. He most certainly has a will and He being sovereign will surely make His will known to His people. This is declared in the book of Daniel 4:35: "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?" Gods will is immutable (meaning unchangeable) because there can never be a place or need for change in His will, because God is perfect as well as sovereign.

Men have sometimes claimed that the church, in the gospel church phase of it, is sovereign, because it is referred to in the scriptures as being perfect. Jesus Christ who is head over all things to the church is perfect, and the set of principles that governs it in a spiritual way is perfect because they like Him are unchangeable and perfect. But the people that make up the body (the membership) of the gospel church are not perfect because they live in a mortal body that is contaminated with sin and is subject to the deception of Satan. Neither the gospel church nor the ministry claim sovereignty, because if they were sovereign there would be no need of continual prayer to God through Christ to know His will and strength to faithfully carry it out in church capacity.

We often hear this statement "The sovereign grace of God." We understand what is meant by it (at least most of the Primitive Baptist do.) but it is not grace that is sovereign, but God is sovereign in bestowing grace on the subjects of His love (His people). The best definition of grace is "the unmerited favor and love of God" When this work of grace is bestowed sovereignly on a person or persons, they are born again of His eternal Spirit and have eternal life. They are now a new creature, because they have been created in Christ Jesus. This is solely the work of a sovereign God because He is the only one that has the power of creation. The new creation now has the ability to call on Christ, who is our life, and ask not only who He is but "what He would have me do?" His God-called ministers begin to feed that life. Remember He told Peter three times to feed His sheep and feed His lambs (meaning His children). Here we can see the great purpose of the gospel.

The true ministers will tell His sheep (His people) that God is sovereign because He saves His people by His grace through Jesus Christ and His finished work. The sinner doesnt have anything to do with His eternal salvation. The true gospel and His true ministers will not only tell you that Jesus is your personal Savior, but will also tell you what you should do and how to do it because the same grace that had given you spiritual life will enable you to do everything that His holy commands teach that you may enjoy these wonderful blessings and rewards, in this present life in His church kingdom. This is not in eternal heaven for there we will not receive rewards but the full inheritance.

Some men will say "If God is sovereign and salvation is by grace, why does He command us to do any work?"

True salvation is of God, and He has commanded us to work out our own salvation. Lets quote the Scripture that gives us the true picture before us. Philippians 2:11-13: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father; Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good Pleasure."

First, lets see in a scriptural way who worked in the salvation, and what means were used. We have to admit that this work was by a sovereign God who was not dependent on any person, or thing, so we must admit that the salvation was worked in by the work of grace. The eleventh verse tells us that every tongue (Where the grace has been bestowed) should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God, the Father. The person that has had this grace bestowed upon him wants to work out that that God has worked in him. When they confess or acknowledge Him, He will direct their paths and it will be in obedience to God. We are to do all things without murmuring and disputing. It is still the same grace that enables us to work out that that He has worked in us and this is done in accordance to His will that worked His will in us. There is a reward by working according to the Scriptures

"But without faith it is impossible tot please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.

The person who has had the work of grace has faith and does believe in God and through the exercise of faith, he can see Christ who saved him and how and what he should do that would confess Him and glorify the heavenly Father. By doing this, they will receive the reward promised in working out His will while we live here in this present world.

God is still the only sovereign and because He is, He is the reason that some day we will come in possession of that inheritance that is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." How thankful we should be that God is sovereign, and that we can give Him all honor and glory for all His blessings