God's Sovereignty in Family Spiritual Growth and Development

The concept of God's sovereignty is deeply intertwined with the spiritual growth and development of families. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's sovereignty refers to "his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure" ^[2]. This understanding is rooted in various biblical passages, including Daniel 4:25, 35, Romans 9:15-23, and 1 Timothy 6:15.

The biblical account of Jesus' childhood provides a significant example of spiritual growth and development within a family context. Luke 2:40 states, "The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him" ^[1]. This verse highlights Jesus' growth in wisdom and spirit, demonstrating that spiritual development is a gradual process.

Torrey's Topical Textbook emphasizes the importance of God's favor in spiritual growth, citing Psalm 30:5, which states that "the favour of God is the source of spiritual life" ^[3]. The textbook also notes that children are a gift from God and are capable of glorifying Him ^[4]. This understanding underscores the role of God's sovereignty in the spiritual development of children within families.

The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on 2 Peter 3:18, emphasizes the importance of growing in grace and knowledge. Gill notes that this growth is a gradual process, where believers are to "grow in the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them" ^[5]. Similarly, the Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House's commentary on Ephesians 4:13, highlights the goal of ministry as achieving maturity in the Lord, with the standard of maturity being Christ himself ^[9].

The role of parents in facilitating spiritual growth is also significant. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that children should be instructed in the ways of God and that parents should train them judiciously ^[4]. The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House's commentary on Ephesians 4:16, emphasizes the importance of each part of the body playing its role in helping other parts grow, with Christ being the ultimate source of growth ^[6].

In the view of the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Peter 3:18, growing in grace involves increasing in the image and favor of God, with every grace and divine influence received being a seed that can be watered and multiplied ^[7]. This understanding highlights the dynamic and relational nature of spiritual growth.

The biblical concept of God's sovereignty in family spiritual growth and development is thus multifaceted, involving the gradual growth of individuals, the role of parents, and the work of Christ. As Tyndale House's commentary on 1 John 4:17 notes, "our love grows more perfect" as our relationship with God grows, and God's love makes our love complete ^[8]. This understanding underscores the importance of a deepening relationship with God in achieving spiritual maturity.

The interplay between God's sovereignty and human agency in spiritual growth is a complex one. While God's sovereignty is understood as His absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure ^[2], human agency is also seen as playing a crucial role in spiritual development. The biblical account of Jesus' childhood, for example, highlights the importance of His human growth and development, while also emphasizing the role of God's favor and wisdom ^[1].

Sources

Luke “The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. -- Luke 2:40”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:16: 4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”
2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”
1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:17: 4:17 our love grows more perfect: The Greek word translated grows more perfect does not mean flawless, but mature and complete. We mature as our relationship with God grows, and God’s love makes our love complete. • Experiencing and expressing God’s love and doing what it requires does not make us acceptable to God, but it does give us the assurance that we have been accepted, and our fears of the final judgment melt away.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”

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