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Will of God

Here are two questions received by email. “What is the meaning of God’s will? What have I to do in order to do God’s will?” Here is a related question: “How can I know God’s will?”

There are two expressions of God’s will that are ultimate in the Scriptures. The first is our salvation.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4 NIV)

The second is part of the first.

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. (1 Thessalonians 4:3a NIV)

Both of these were accomplished by Jesus Christ.

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV)

We now know that the will of God for us is our salvation, which includes our justification (conversion), holiness, and the redemption of our bodies at the Second Coming. Again, all paid for in advance.

Since we have already experienced our justification and we wait patiently for the Second Coming, then our participation now is in our holiness (sanctification). Remember, it is already paid and provided for.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 NIV)

Knowing the details of God’s will (Whom should I marry? Where should I work? Should I be a missionary?) is not difficult if I am walking in the light, walking in the Spirit.

If I am not walking in the light, the detailed will of God could be written on the blackboard and I would not be able to read it.

Again, being in the will of God includes obedience to clear imperatives in the Scriptures.

(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson)

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