God’s Will - Part 2
God’s choice and determination, emanating from desire.
Paul used a Greek word in Ephesians 1:5,9, and 11 that conveys the idea of
desire, even heart’s desire. The word is usually translated as “will” = “the will of
God”. But the English word “will” does not exactly express well the primary
meaning. The Greek word is primarily an emotional idea. God’s will is not so
much God’s intention as it is God’s heart’s desire. God does have an intention, a
purpose, a plan, and it literally means a laying out beforehand (like a blueprint).
This plan was created by God’s counsel, however, behind the plan and the
counsel was not just a mastermind but a heart, a heart of love and of good
pleasure. Therefore. Paul talked about “the good pleasure of God’s heart” (verse
1:5). Paul also said, “He made known to us the mystery of His heart’s desire,
according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him” (verse 1:9). Indeed,
God operated all things according to the counsel of His heart’s desire or will
(verse 1;11). A good example is Esther, the plan to save the Jews was placed
directly in her path. Her uncle told her “if you altogether hold your peace at this
time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another
place, but you and your father’s house shall be destroyed, and who know whether
you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14), and even
though she had to make a tuff choice in following what she felt was God’s will, the
end turned out that she was in the right place at the right time.
God’s eternal purpose came from a heart’s desire, and that heart’s desire was to
have many sons and daughters made like His only Son (Romans 8:29) “for whom
He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”. In love, He
predestined many people to participate in this, not by their own merits but by
virtue of being in the Son (Ephesians 1:4-5) “according as He has chosen us in
Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before Him in love. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ, to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will”. Notice how often in
Ephesians 1, Paul speaks of the believer’s position “in Him”. Outside of Him (the
Son), no one could be a son or daughter of God and no one could be pleasing to
the Father.
We are as Ambassadors for God and our desires should be to do His will. We are
not to let the world influence us, Jesus said “you are the salt of the earth, but if
the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is therefore good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men”(Matthew 5:13).
How does one distinguish between good desire, and bad desire? Ultimately there
is one basic issue. Is a person’s desire self-centered or a desire for God’s will?
The Bible teaches that the essence of sin is a determination to have one’s own
way. Although King Saul never committed the dual crimes of adultery and murder
that King David did. David was honored and Saul was reproached. The reason
given by the Bible is that David was “a man after God’s heart,” who wanted to do
God’s will (Acts 13:222). But Saul was stubborn and self-willed, and he was
rejected for that reason. Evil desire, therefore, is not necessarily a desire for
something that one might label as wicked, it is essentially the desire to have one’s
own way. As such, it is idolatry, putting self in place of God. One’s actions must
always be in accord with God’s will as it is revealed in His Word. The Bible even
promises that if people take delight in the Lord, then God will give them the desire
of their heart (Psalms 37:4). The idea is this, when God is someone’s greatest
desire, all that person’s other desires become prioritized and then mirror God’s
own desire for that person’s well being.
Our desires should not go against what God desires. A sincere desire to please
God will result in an alignment of your desires with God’s desires. You will love
what God loves and hate what God hates. If you love the Lord, you will hate evil.
Learn to love God’s ways and hate evil in every form, not only the obvious sins
but also the socially acceptable ones. Consider what you as doing it to God,
Colossians 4:23 “and whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not to
men”. Psalm 97:10 “you who love the Lord Yahweh, hate evil! He protects the
lives of His godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked”. When
desires are in conflict, the right choice is obedience to God. Paul knew he would
be imprisoned in Jerusalem. Although his friends pleaded with him not to go
there, he knew that he had to because God wanted him to. No one enjoys pain,
but a faithful disciple wants above all else to please God. Our desire to please
God should overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we
really want to do God’s will we must accept all that comes with it, even the pain.
Then we can say with Paul “the Lord’s will be done” (Hebrews 9:11-28). Another
good example was Joseph, even though he ended up in jail, for something that he
didn’t do, he never lost sight of God, and could hold on to his dream.
We find purpose in obedience to God. The Israelites traveled and camped as
God guided (Numbers 9:15-23). When you follow God’s guidance, you know you
are where God wants you, whether you’re moving or staying in one place. You
are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, “God, what do you want
me to do next? Ask, “God, what do you want me to do while I’m right here”?
Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing
you where you are right now. Begin to understand God’s purpose for your life by
discovering what He wants you to do now.
We find purpose in trusting God. To receive God’s guidance, said Solomon, we
must acknowledge God in all our ways. This means turning every area of life over
to him (I Peter 5:7) “casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you”. Look
at your values and priorities. What is important to you? In many areas of your life
you may already acknowledge God, but it is in the areas of your life you attempt
to restrict or ignore His influence that will cause you grief. Make Him a vital part of
everything you do, then He will guide you because you will be working to
accomplish His purposes (Proverbs 3).
We find purpose in becoming like Christ. Our “calling” from God, as Christians is
to become like Christ (Romans 8:29). This is a gradual, lifelong process that will
be completed when we see Christ face to face (I John 3:2). To be “worthy” of this
calling means to want to do what is right and good (as Christ would). We aren’t
perfect yet, but were moving to that direction as God works in us.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: February 20, 2007