Q. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith glorifies God by placing all things under His sovereign decree. This is what the Scriptures clearly teach that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph 1:11) As G.I. Williamson writes in his study of the Catechism,
“What we see happening in the world is not just a matter of chance or accident. Things do not just work out the way they do for not reason at all. No, there is a reason for everything. and the ultimate reason for everything is the great plan of God. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom 11:36).
Williamson, GI, The Westminster Shorter Catechism
When we say that God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, we certainly do not mean that God is the author of sin. While God’s plan for all things certainly includes the sin that takes place, the Scriptures are clear that God is not the author of sin (1 John 1:5; James 1:13; Proverbs 8:13). God created angels and men, and they were very good when God made them. But, as free agents, sin arose in those creatures, and they rebelled from God. In fact, the Bible says that Satan is the author of sin (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8).
Neither does the decree of God rob man of his personal responsibility. God’s eternal decree does not make us automatons, so predetermined that what we say and do have not lasting consequence. It is true that God has chosen His people unto salvation, and not one will be lost from those whom He has called. God has determined from the beginning the destiny of every man and woman, some to eternal glory (Eph 1:4), and others to eternal damnation (Jude 4). Still, the scriptures also teach that those who are ultimately lost are lost by their own choice.
Look to the story of Pharaoh and the people of Israel. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, bringing about the oppression of the people of Israel, so that greater glory would be revealed in their deliverance. But Pharaoh also hardened his own heart, and acted viciously.
The point is this: God controls by divine decree and sovereign power everything that happens to His own purposes, but that does not remove any responsibility from those who sin. Sinners sin because they are sinners. Evildoers do evil not because they are forced to, but by their own evil intent.
Let us uphold the glory of our Sovereign God who has ordained all things according to the counsel of His will, learning always to seek His will and live in righteousness for His praise and honor.
SDG