Posts: The Will of God

The Will of God

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) A major function of the Spirit who dwells in the faithful is character development: transformation. Historical evidence validates the claims of the Bible. Miraculous, obvious, observable transformation of the faithful validates that Christianity still works. Without that, we have only an opiate for the masses.

“Understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17) God’s overall objective is to develop a big family that will last. People are not pawns in a cosmic game, but integral parts in a team effort. We choose to participate in the plan or to strike out on our own. Those who sign on must understand the family structure of trust and care. It’s not about my comfort but about the welfare of my new family.

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) The difference between law and grace is that in the former we force ourselves to comply whereas in the latter we develop a gracious nature through the Spirit whom God gives to the faithful which results in not only desiring but also having the skills to function admirably in God’s family. Endeavor to be filled with the Spirit and the rest falls into place.

“…that you may stand consistent and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12) Epaphras prayed this fervently for his fellow Christians of Colossae. Which part strikes you as most unrealistic: consistent, assured, or all the will of God? Only when we turn to God for the humanly impossible is the Spirit engaged.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) God desires that the faithful reserve themselves for godly purposes. The remainder of the paragraph paints a stark contrast between typical behavior in our world and this new mindset. We choose the honorable way simply because God desires it. When we have trouble living up to our own expectations, we have the Spirit through whom old habits are put to death (Romans 8:13).

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Giving thanks when things and events are to our liking is easy. God desires that the faithful think long and hard about the unpleasant things to see that for which we may be thankful. The idea is not to give God thanks for evil, but during evil, to ask for the wisdom to see how we may overcome ourselves.

“God wills for all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) God’s will is what God wants, not what God commands or makes happen. When we know what someone we love wants, we make satisfying that desire for that person our own goal. In simple terms, that’s how we decide what gifts to buy for them. Evangelism is our gift.

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” (1 Peter 2:15) Our tendency to sound-byte religion has caused many to lower the bar for doing good. Of course the faithful should decline to slip one by the tax laws or lie to gain advantage. Peter’s desired level is that of Jesus. For example, when we share in a way that no social program can begin to reproduce, foolish ignorance is silenced.

“Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19) Many balk at the idea that the faithful may suffer as they did in the New Testament. But that is in keeping with our purpose on earth, to build faith as a part of God’s larger objective for creation, to build a big family that lasts. Trusting God and seeking the good of others while suffering lends credibility to the message.