by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Editor’s Note: You can listen to the class and download the handout.

The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. (Psalm 32:10b) (NIV)

When you have a deeper understanding of how God relates to this world and His creatures, you get a better understanding of the purpose of conflict. This is what Ken Sande draws out as essential to seeing conflict the way the Bible presents it: as something God, in His sovereign power and goodness, purposely designed for us. You would think reading about the sovereignty of God would be discussed in situations solely dealing with theology—not so, according to Scripture. Without God’s “supreme, unlimited and totally independent” power (p.60), which is what sovereignty means, conflict could not be seen in any other light than what most people think: as a negative consequence natural in relationships, void of hope and resolution. This common view is what needs to be corrected by the truth of God’s sovereignty and goodness.

God is Sovereign

“One reason that Jesus and Paul trusted God so completely is that they knew he was in complete control of everything that happened in their lives. This perfect control is often referred to as ‘the sovereignty of God.’” (p.60)

What God alone has is power over everything that has happened, and also what will happen. His control extends to every government, as well as individual lives and where they go. What differs from society’s misconception of God is that He is very involved and wanting to know us individually, taking great interest in the details of our lives, like what Psalm 8:3-4 says: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” What is included in this great control God has is control over many events in life that cause pain. One example comes from Isaiah 45:5-7, which tells us: “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.” This shows greatest in the crucifixion of the only innocent man on the earth who has ever lived, and who is also the Son of God: “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). Thus Sande writes,

Jesus did not die because God had lost control or was looking the other direction. God was fully in control at all times. He chose not to restrain the actions of evil men so that his plan of redemption would be fulfilled through the death and resurrection of his Son (Romans 3:21-26). (p.61)

Knowing this should not get us thinking that we have nothing to be held responsible for when in conflict (Matthew 12:36). We know that God ordains or orchestrates the events in our lives with a purpose in mind, including our conflicts, which should draw us to be ever more ready to handle conflict when it arises, because God designed this world knowing conflict would be inevitable.

God is Good

If all we knew was that God is in control of all that takes place, we would have a right to be afraid, since we would not know if He could do anything He pleases, which would either be good or bad. The great joy for Christians is that God has revealed Himself as good, and for our good in the most pure sense. Psalm 62:11-12a says: “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O LORD, belongs steadfast love.” So, every trial that we go through is also for our good:

God also uses our trials to teach us how to minister to others when they are suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-5). Through our trials, we can set an example that will encourage others to depend on God and remain faithful to his commands (2 Cor. 1:6-11). (p.63)

One promise God has given to His people is that of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” He does this in 2 ways:

1. Sometimes He takes the problems away once they have fulfilled their purpose in our lives (2 Cor. 1:3-11).
2. He leaves problems in our lives, giving us the strength that is enough to win the battle over them on a daily basis, which shows His sustaining grace (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Ken Sande sums up our response to this truth is

“…instead of wasting time and energy trying to figure out things that are beyond our comprehension, we need to turn our attention to the promises and instructions that God has revealed to us through Scripture. The Bible tells us that God is both sovereign and good, so we can be sure that whatever he has brought into our lives can be used to glorify him, to benefit others, and to help us grow.” (p.65)

The Path Has Been Marked

What these truths should lead a Christian to is trust in our God. “Trusting God means that in spite of our questions, doubts, and fears we draw on his grace and continue to believe that he is loving, that he is in control, and that he is always working for our good. Such trust helps us to continue doing what is good and right, even in difficult circumstances” (p.65). Among the godly who have shown great trust is Job (Job 42:2-3), Joseph (Gen. 37-50), David (Psa. 37:1-6), Peter and John (Acts 4:24, 27-29), and Paul (2 Cor. 4:7-18). Modern day examples include Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, as well as Joni Eareckson Tada. She writes (Sande quotes),

If examining the sovereignty of God teaches us anything, it teaches us that real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives, but in understanding his character, in trusting in his promises, and in leaning on him and resting in him as the Sovereign who knows what he is doing and does all things well. (p.69)

What led to this trust is a recognition and conviction that God really is in control of all that happens in one’s life, and an unswerving commitment to stay firm in that truth, which comforts in the hardest of times, knowing that any and every trial, suffering, persecution comes not as an unexpected act by someone or some natural disaster, but ultimately by a God who loves us and will do all He can to show us His grace for our good. Even if it hurts, you can never accuse God of not wanting you to see Him in it and that He will get you through it, when you trust Him.

Trust Is a Decision

How you view God will deeply affect the way you see conflict. If you see God as solely sovereign but not good, He would be an accurate description of how Christopher Hitchens views God: a heavenly dictator. If He is good but not sovereign, you have a Santa Claus figure who cannot do a thing when trouble comes. The goal is not just resolved conflict, but a trust in the living God, who is both sovereign and good. Real resolution comes from a full trust in the God of Scripture who has spoken and has already resolved the deepest conflict that is the root of all other conflicts: the broken relationship between man and God in their full rebellion against His authority, character, and law. Our trust in God to help us resolve conflict comes from His willingness to send Jesus, His Son, to die on a cross for our sins and to remove the wrath that God has for everyone who continues to reject the only way of getting back to Him. They trust in their own “power” and “goodness” to get by in this world, including resolving conflicts, that never addresses the heart of the issue, and lives like those who say “‘peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Our God saves, our God heals, and our God strengthens when we feel our weakest, because He is our strength, He is our healer, and He is our Savior.