I suppose the doctrine of God's sovereignty and human accountability will make an interesting Bible study in heaven. Minimizing either one will leave a person open to an attack with no scriptural defense. I believe the Reformer's have come the closest, this side of heaven, in articulating this doctrine. For example; both the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) and 1689 London Baptist Confession have near identical wording to the below.
3. Of God's Decree
I. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;.[1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith]
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Isreal in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [NIV Acts 4:23-28]
Those who aided in the crucifixion of Jesus are accountable for what they did. No one will be able to justify himself before God by saying, "you made me do it", for they did exactly what they wanted to do.
The scripture account of Jesus foretelling Peter's denial is an amazing illustration of God's sovereignty and human accountability.
I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. [Luke 22:34]
After Jesus said that, it was impossible for Peter to not deny Jesus. I think if Jesus said that to me, I'd lock myself up in a room till the day was over. But even that would not stop God's decrees from coming to pass.
Then Peter denied Jesus the third time.
And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. [Luke 22:60-62]
Jesus was disappointed that Peter denied him, Peter knew he was fully accountable for his actions, yet the event had to come to pass as decreed.
God is not the author of sin because he does not by his own immediate causation bring it to pass. It is the responsibility of the second causes who willingly engage in it. [A modern exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Samuel E. Waldron, Evangelical Press, pg 66]
This doctrine is difficult for my mind to grasp. But I'm convinced if it were not for God's decrees, nothing would exist. And if it were not for God decreeing whatsoever comes to pass, everything as we know it would cease to exist. Gravity and everything else necessary for the sustaining of life exists only because of God's decrees. Without God, there would be no gravity and everything would fall apart.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [Col 1: 16-17]
Though this truth may be difficult to understand, it cannot be denied. The examples given to us by God are abundantly clear.
The Doctrine Applied