UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL (3)

“Your kingdom come. YOUR WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven” – Mathew 6:10

There are heavenly and earthly dimensions to UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL: “Your kingdom come. YOUR WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt.6:10). The word “Will” from its Greek roots, means: what one wishes or has determined shall be done; a command, precept, choice, inclination, or desire. God’s Will is His counsel, desire, determination, or purpose. Although, virtually all parts of the Bible refer to the “Will of God,” few concepts generate more debate than this! God’s Will could concern as vast as His entire plan of creation or redemption, or as specific as where He intends each of us to be tomorrow! His Will can be understood from at least three perspectives, namely:

Secret or Revealed: “The SECRET things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are REVEALED belong to us and to our children forever, that we may DO all the words of this law” (Deut.29:29). God’s Will can be viewed from the perspective of how much of it is revealed: Is it fully revealed, partially revealed, or kept secret? His fully revealed will is meant for us and our generations. These include God’s moral principles, commands, instructions, and precepts for positive living as found in various portions of the Bible. His partially revealed will relates to issues that are touched on in scriptures, but not in a full or comprehensive manner. For example, the Bible provides principles and guidelines on marriage, but hardly ever a direct instruction on whom to marry. His Secret Will belongs absolutely to the Sovereign God.  

Determined or Desired: “And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been DETERMINED, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Lk.22:22). God’s Determined or Decretive Will is His sovereign counsel; His inviolable, immutable, irrevocable, and predetermined Purpose, that is fulfilled irrespective of human response. It cannot be broken, delayed or frustrated. However, we have a choice as to the part we play in this scenario of Divine Decrees. In contrast, God’s Desired Will comprise His flexible desires, which are subject to human response or change. These include God's recommendations for living, His moral laws, rules of righteousness, and standards of behaviour. We, as free moral agents can choose to resist or disobey His will, and thereby hinder them from coming to pass or face the consequences.

General or Specific: God’s General or Universal Will speaks of aspects of His Plan that are applicable to all. God desires that all be saved, grow to maturity, live holy, prosper, love one another; and live a life that will bring glory and honour to His Name (Eph.4:11-14; 1Tim.2: 3-4; 1The.4:3; Jos.1:8; Jh.13:34-35). However, these have not always been the lot of all. God’s Specific Will relates to individual life’s calling and service; the Father’s Plan for each child; and our specific life visions and missions, as revealed by the Holy Spirit (Jh.16:13).