the sovereignty of god

Ephesians 1:1-11
    Thinking this morning about the sovereignty of God; how that He "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:" KJV. God is in control and works all things in accordance to His own plan and purpose.
     He has a divine design for this world system from beginning to end. He has a Desired Plan (will) for mankind, which may be obeyed or not, due to His gift of Free Will, the exercise thereof brings consequences, either good or bad.
      When we think of Salvation, we understand that God has sovereignly designed that salvation for lost man be in and through the redeeming work of Christ (by grace through faith); that there is no other way for fallen man to be saved from the penalty of sin.  This salvation for each individual falls within God's Will of desire, in that it is God's will that all men be saved; but we also realize that not all are saved, for many reject God's offer of salvation to 'whosoever will'.
    In His foreknowledge, God knows those who will and those who will not accept His offer. He provides salvation through Christ, He offers pardon for all who will accept it, but Mankind exercises his free will and chooses.
      This does not exclude, nor ignore the work of the Holy Spirit in 'wooing' the heart of man to accept God's offer, but it does explain the mystery created by Reformed theologians who appeal more to the teachings of John Calvin than to those of Jesus Christ.
       Christ Jesus died for all that all might be saved, but sadly, not all choose to accept God's gracious gift, these then, must bear the consequences of their own decision.
       God is indeed sovereign, but in that sovereignty, He gives man the freedom to choose Heaven. Should man reject God's gift, by default that same man chooses Hell.  What is your choice?
       Lidie H. Edmunds wrote the familiar hymn "My Faith Has Found A Resting Place", a good reminder of the foundation of faith.