Divine Sovereignty verses

I wanted to take a step back and attempt to explain the Church’s historic / traditional position on some of the elements of the the basis for our faith, so I’ve put together a list of verses on divine sovereignty, preordination, predestination, and the radical depravity of man.

I ask that you not skim over these quickly, but rather try to find a quiet moment and read each one of them and meditate on the glory, majesty, and mystery of God in Christ. I say mystery because our finite human minds cannot fully comprehend ourselves (our inability, sin, etc.) let alone how God’s rules the universe: Is.55.8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” After the Resurrection we will see all this more clearly, but for the time being we must place our whole trust His Word and not doubt it, 1 Cor.13.12b: “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I can attest that the teachings below from God’s Word have altered my understanding of reality and changed the course of my life in a very very powerful way.

I have categorized these verses and put them in order, hope you find this helpful.

Man’s radical depravity and inability to choose God

Gen.6.5: The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Gen.8.21: And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

Num.15.37-39: The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.

Job.15.14-16: 14 What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!

Ps.14.1-3: The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Ps.51.5: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Is.53.6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jer.10.14: Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.

Jer.13.23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

Jer.17.9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Mt.7.11: If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Jn.2.24: But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

Jn.15.5: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Rom.1.18-28: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their
thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Rom.3.9-18: What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Rom.7.18-20: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Rom.8.7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Rom.9.10-24: And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call—she was told,"The older will serve the younger." As it is written,"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses,"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,"For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

Eph.2.8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Cor.2.14: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor.12.3: Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor.3.5: Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God

2 Cor.4.3: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.

2 Tim.3.8: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

Tit.3.4-5: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

God chooses us

Gen.18.19: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."

Ex.33.19: And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

Ps.65.4: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Jn.3.27: John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Jn.6.37-39: All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

Jn.6.44: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Jn.6.64-65: “But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."

Jn.10.25-28: Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Jn.15.16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts.13.17: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.

1 Thes.1.4-5: For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

2 Thes.2.13: But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

God controls all reality

Ps.33.13-15: The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

Ps.139.5-6: You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
RSB commentary: v.5--The Lord sets his limits around the Psalmists actions. "lay Your hand" means to guide him in life.

Ps.140.8: Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot or they will be exalted! Selah'' It is God Who grants or denies the desires of the wicked.

Prv.16.9: The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Is.45.7: I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am YHWH, who does all these things.

Amos.3.6: Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless YHWH has done it?

Mt.10.29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Jn.1.12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Acts.16.14: One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Heb.1.3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

God’s preordination and predestination

Job.14.5: 5Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass

Ps.139.16: Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Acts.4.27-28: for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Acts.13.48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Acts.17.26: And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place

Rom.8.28-30: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Eph.1.3-12: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

1 Pet.2.8-9: and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Jud.1.4: For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Gen.6.5
Gen.8.21
Gen.18.19
Ex.33.19
Num.15.37-39
Job.14.5
Job.15.14-16
Ps.14.1-3
Ps.33.13-15
Ps.51.5
Ps.65.4
Ps.139.5-6
Ps.139.16
Ps.140.8
Prv.16.9
Is.45.7
Is.53.6
Is.55.8-9
Amos.3.6
Jer.10.14
Jer.13.23
Jer.17.9
Mt.7.11
Mt.10.29-31
Jn.1.12-13
Jn.2.24
Jn.3.27
Jn.6.37-39
Jn.6.44
Jn.6.64-65
Jn.10.25-28
Jn.15.5
Jn.15.16
Acts.4.27-28
Acts.13.17
Acts.13.48
Acts.16.14
Acts.17.26
Rom.1.18-28
Rom.3.9-18
Rom.7.18-20
Rom.8.7
Rom.8.28-30
Rom.9.10-24
1 Cor.2.14
1 Cor.12.3
2 Cor.3.5
2 Cor.4.3
Eph.1.3-12
Eph.2.8-9
1 Thes.1.4-5
2 Thes.2.13
2 Tim.3.8
Tit.3.4-5
Heb.1.3
1 Pet.2.8-9
Jud.1.4