GOD’S WILL: GENERAL OR SPECIFIC?

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles; I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood – Galatians 1:15-16

In terms of scope, the Will of God can be either General or Specific in application. The General or Universal Will of God describes the various aspects of His Plan and Purpose that are applicable to and identical for every believer. These may relate to the personal, domestic, moral, social, financial, and spiritual aspects of our lives. God’s General Will embraces certain characteristics, qualities, fruits or principles that God desires to see in all believers in all places in every age.

God desires that all be saved: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim.2:3-4). “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Mt.18:14). Universal salvation has however not been the reality for humanity. God desires that we all: grow to maturity; live a holy life; succeed and prosper; love one another; and live a life that will bring glory and honour to His Name (Eph.4:11-14; 1The.4:3; Jos.1:8; Jh.13:34-35). Experience shows that these have not always been the case.

God’s Specific Will relates to our individual life’s calling and service: what God wants us to accomplish individually; the Father’s Plan for each of His children; and our specific life vision and missions. Such is demonstrated in the lives of many Bible Characters, each of whom sought to know, understand and walk according to God’s will. Unique to individuals, God’s Will is best accessed through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom.8:14). Jesus said: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (Jh.16:13).

Galatians 1:11-17 describes how God’s Will for Paul was revealed directly to him. Also, God supernaturally led Peter into a higher dimension of revelation of His Will (Acts 10:28). What He did for one, He can do for all. He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34b). More than any spectacular manifestation however, Scripture provides guidance through which God’s Will can be discovered. The Father’s Plan for His Son was “in the volume of the book” (Heb.10:7; Lk.4:17-20). I believe that God’s Life Vision for each of His children is encoded in the Bible, waiting to be unveiled and discovered. Moreover, His Specific Will is never contradictory, but consistent with His General Will, as revealed in His Word.