1. Definitions
“God’s
will is the standard with which to measure all that is esteemed right in
motive, design, and execution. Man’s highest end is realized when he conforms
to God’s will. Even Christ came not to do His own will, but only the will of
the Father. There is nothing higher for man than to find and do the will of
God. Heaven always has a specific purpose for the bringing of each person into
the world, and that purpose comprehends every moment of life.”[1]
1Will [θέλημα]
= what one wishes to happen. What one wishes to bring about by the activity of
others. [2]
2Will [βούλομαι]
= a decision of the will after previous deliberation.[3] A
deliberate exercise of volition more strongly than θέλω.[4]
2. God’s Will for Mankind
a.
To restore all men to Himself.
- “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing [βούλομαι] for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
b.
For all men to glorify Him.
- “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
- “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
- “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- ‘Let self be forgotten. Let your eye be fixed on God. Let the promotion of his glory be your object in all you do. Strive in every thing to act in such a way that men may praise that God whom you profess to serve.’ It is by thus having the desire to promote the glory of God as the governing motive of our lives, that order and harmony are introduced into all our actions. [Unknown]
c.
For believers to share in His love and
joy.
- “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:9-11
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22
- “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” John 16:2
3. The Believer’s Responsibility
a.
To know His will.
“For
this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you
may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (of concepts & seeing
relationships between them).” Colossians 1:9
b.
To understand His will.
“Therefore
do not be unwise, but understanding (putting the puzzle pieces together) what
the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17
c.
To prove His will.
“And
do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, so that you may prove (to discern a thing worthy or not) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.” Romans 12:2
d.
To live His will.
“Therefore,
since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to
live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for
the will of God.”
1
Peter 4:1&2
e.
To do His will.
“Not
by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing
(producing) the will of God
from the heart.” Ephesians 6:6
“Doing the will of God expresses the normal conditions and
activity of the believer.”[5]
4. The Believer’s Disposition
a.
Positive volition.
“If
anyone is willing to do His will,
he will know the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from
Myself.” John 7:17
“It
is neither mechanical nor compulsory, but intelligent and voluntary.” [Vine]
b.
Enjoyment
“I
delight to do your will,
O my God, and your law is written in my heart.” Psalm 40:8
c.
Patience
“Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside
every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
5. The Believer’s Victory
- “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course (God’s will), I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8
- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
6. Summary
1) In eternity past
there was only one will in the universe – God’s. Since the fall of Lucifer,
there are now two wills. God’s is characterized by righteousness and goodness;
Satan’s is characterized by wickedness and evil.
2) After a person
accepts the free gift of eternal life from God, he is given the opportunity to
live the life that God’s originally intended for man.
3) However, in order for
the believer to receive this life of blessing, he must become occupied with
Christ. He must devote his life to a study of the Word, which is the only means
of communication from God in this age. Only in this manner can the believer
know God’s will for his life.
4) Once the believer
understands Doctrine, then he will be able to produce the will of God in his
life, namely, to reflect the glory of God in this world.
5) With an understanding
of Doctrine, the believer is now able to discern the course of life that God
has provided for him. This includes every phase of his life: happiness, career,
spouse, money, house, car, etc. Since God desires that all believers be happy
in this present life, His plan provides for us in every aspect.
6) The believer will
know what career path to chose or who to marry because he now thinks with
Divine viewpoint, instead of human viewpoint or living purely on emotions.
7) The believer who
continues to follow God’s will reaps rewards in this life as well as eternal
rewards. He lives his life moment-by-moment, making decisions based on the
Doctrine that he has learned. His decisions lead him step-by-step into the
direction of life that God would have him to go.
8) As long as the
believer stays the course of Doctrine, he will experience God’s love in many
ways. If he strays from this course and decides to go the way of sin, then God
still demonstrates love towards him, but this time in discipline. In this
position he leaves himself open to influence from Satan’s cosmic system of
evil. The more he allows himself to be influenced the greater his discipline
becomes, including the sin unto death.
7. Additional and Applicable Verses
Mark 3:35 - For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.
John 7:17 – If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know the teaching, whether it
is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the
will of God is, that which is
good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 6:6 – not by way of eye service, as
men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will
of God from the heart.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you
abstain from sexual immorality.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 – For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Hebrew 10:36 – for you have need of endurance, so
that when you have done the will of God,
you may receive what is promised.
1 Peter 2:15 – For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the
ignorance of foolish men.
1 Peter 3:17 – For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is
right rather than for doing what is wrong.
[1] Chafer, L.S., Systematic Theology, 7.309
[2] Arndt, W., Gingrich, F.
W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament and other Early Christian Literature, p. 354
[3] Ibid, p. 146
[4] Vine, W. E., Vine's
Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 2:162
[5] Vine, W.E., Collected
Writings of W.E. Vine, 3.354