The Will of God

THE WILL OF GOD

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There are three forces that motivate man: his need to survive and be secure; the appetites and lusts of his body and soul; and his desire to achieve something of significance. Sitting on top of these three forces is his will. Until his will becomes one with the will of God, man is a potential destroyer of God’s universe.

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2)

“His good, pleasing and perfect will.” In all of eternity, and in all of the spiritual and physical universe, the will of God is the most important matter.

To know God’s will and to do it — there is nothing else as worthwhile as this.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the full, perfect representation of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the doing of the will of God. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth as it is in Heaven” The Lord Jesus always comes to do the will of God. This is also to be true of us.

All sin has proceeded from Satan’s desire to exercise his own will.

You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13,14)

“I will ascend to heaven.” The desire for spiritual exaltation.

“I will raise my throne above the stars of God.” The desire for power over others.

“I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.” The desire for authority.

“I will ascend above the tops of the clouds.” The desire for preeminence.

“I will make myself like the Most High.” The desire to be worshiped.

These five desires characterize many who choose to live their lives apart from the will of God. Several political leaders of our day exhibit these desires, and we can notice the havoc they produce.

I will! I will. I will! I will! I will!

Right here is the source of all sin. A creature of God has set his will against the will of God. Any time that a creature of God exercises his will apart from the will of God, every sort of destruction and misery occurs. The history of the world is one long tale of destruction and misery as angels and people have sought to express their own wills.

There is only one legitimate will in the universe: the will of God.

The Lord Jesus has come to do God’s will in the midst of the rebellious creatures of the earth. Jesus is the Logos, the Word of God, made flesh.

God now wants more sons, more words made flesh, more logoses, I guess you would spell it. God is so pleased with the original Logos that God wants Him reproduced. Yet God wants the new logoses to be as branches growing out of the original Logos so there always is the one Logos, but now reproduced in a number of persons.

There is a tendency today for believers to want the power of Christ. We should not be seeking the power of Christ, but the Person of Christ. Paul did not seek the power of Christ, but the Person of Christ.

I cannot express too strongly that we are not to become another christ. To seek the power of Christ apart from being one with Christ is to become part of the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-17).

The Kingdom of God, as I said, is the doing of God’s will. We are drawing near to the coming of the Kingdom to the earth. Therefore we Christians must learn to do God’s will at all times, in every circumstance. Let us think for a moment about what is involved in the doing of God’s will.

Old covenant. God’s will was expressed under the old covenant in two major ways. God’s will was expressed through the commandments and exhortations found in the Old Testament — particularly those of the Law of Moses. Also, God’s will was expressed through directions addressed personally to an individual.

Commandments and exhortations found in the Old Testament.
Directions addressed personally to an individual.

Most of us know about the various commandments and exhortations found in the Old Testament, in the Law of Moses; in the history of the patriarchs; and in the writings of the Hebrew Prophets.

In addition, there are numerous examples of God’s direction addressed personally to individuals. God spoke clearly to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as to the leaders of the Israelites. God directed Moses, Joshua, and Samuel. We all know of God’s orders given to Jonah, and how Jonah disobeyed the Lord.

Abraham is an example of obedience to a personal command from God. To the best of our knowledge, Abraham’s obedience in the matter of the sacrifice of Isaac has been surpassed only by the Lord’s willingness, in the Garden of Gethsemane, to die for the sins of mankind.

New covenant. God’s will is expressed under the new covenant in a far more comprehensive manner than was true under the old covenant.

First there are the exhortations found throughout the Bible. We are not under the Law of Moses now that we have counted ourselves crucified and risen with Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, there is very much that is helpful in the Old Testament — examples and exhortations that are as useful today as they were in the days they were recorded. The Book of Psalms, for example, certainly helps us find the will of God for our life.

Then there are hundreds of commandments found in the New Testament.

There is enormous confusion in today’s Christian preaching and teaching concerning the commandments contained in the New Testament writings. At some point, the conclusion was drawn that these commandments are not to be obeyed, and that they are in the New Testament only to show us our need of a Savior, a need to be saved by grace. This is not true.

All the commandments and exhortations issued by the Lord and His Apostles are to be obeyed. We are to keep going to the Lord for help (grace) so we can do what the New Testament enjoins upon us. If we do not, you can be certain we will not grow spiritually; we will not please the Lord; we will be punished when we die or in the Day of Resurrection.

If we love Jesus, we will do what He commands in the Bible (John 14:21). It is as simple as that. The current teaching that we are not obliged to keep the commandments in order to be saved is so manifestly of Satan that it truly is a marvel it has gained the ground that it has. As I have said, God’s will is expressed under the new covenant through the exhortations found throughout the Bible and also through the commandments written in the New Testament.

Also, there are numerous occasions when the Lord speaks to us and tells us what to do. We can read in the Book of Acts of the many occurrences of Divine direction. The Lord spoke to Paul on a number of occasions and directed him.

To this point, in our brief article, we have seen that the old covenant and the new covenant have points in common regarding the finding and acting upon the will of God. Both covenants contain God’s will in writing, and both include personal directions from the Lord.

Now we come to the far more comprehensive expression of God’s will, that I alluded to previously. I am referring to the formation of Christ, the Word of God, in us so we become the expression of the will of God. We are being formed as a covenant between God and His creatures. When the saved nations will obey what God expresses through us, then God will bless and prosper the people of those nations. If the saved nations refuse to obey what God expresses through us, those nations will be ruined.

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,” (Isaiah 42:6)
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. (Isaiah 60:12)

There are two phases of the formation of Christ in us, relative to the expression of the will of God. The first phase is the expression of God’s will in what we are. The second phase is the expression of God’s will in what we do.

The expression of God’s will in what we are.
The expression of God’s will in what we do.

The expression of God’s will in what we are refers to the writing of the eternal moral law of God in our minds and in our hearts. Line upon line, commandment upon commandment, here a little and there a little, the Spirit of God is removing our sinful nature and replacing it with the eternal moral law of God.

The eternal moral law of God existed before the Ten Commandments were issued. The Ten Commandments are an abridged, somewhat negative, covenantal form of the eternal moral law of God. The eternal moral law of God always has existed; exists now; and shall exist forever. The eternal moral law of God is what God is in Personality. It shall never change, although current teaching raises this possibility. If God were to change by accepting continued, willful sinful behavior in His Presence, every hope we have is doomed. It would be best we never had been born if today’s teaching of grace has come from the Lord.

The moral law of God is being engraved in our mind so we can understand it, and in our heart so we choose to obey it.

Each day we are to cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God. Each day the Holy Spirit helps us put to death some aspect of our sinful nature. As an element of our sinful nature is removed from us, the body and blood of Christ, which are His virtuous Nature, takes the place of what has been removed.

Thus our personality reflects the will of God in what it has become. When people see Christ in us, they see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They also observe courage, righteous behavior, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to the Father. This is what the world will see as we are crucified with Christ and it is His Nature that is living in us.

Not only are we transformed in our personality, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have made Their eternal home in us. Then, in the Day of Resurrection, we will be clothed with a body fashioned from eternal, incorruptible, righteous, holy, resurrection Life — the very Life of God!

Now the world can see the will of God expressed in our personality. Now we are bearing a true witness of the Person, way, will, and eternal purpose of God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the first phase of the formation of Christ in us. Can you see how we become an extension of the Logos, the Word of God? Everyone who sees us will understand God’s will, won’t they?

The second phase is, as I have stated, the expression of God’s will in what we do.

In order to enter this phase of the expression of God’s will, we must be aware of the mind of Christ at every point of action throughout the day and night. We can begin to practice this right away. I have been working at this for a couple of years now, and it really is enjoyable and practical.

Each of us makes numerous decisions each day. Most of these decisions are quite minor, such as should we put our left shoe on first or our right shoe — that is, if we own a pair of shoes. The richer we are the more choices we have, such as what pair of shoes should I wear.

Of course, there are some things we are required to do, such as getting up at six o’clock and going to work. But we may have a choice as to what route we take, or if we want to go in especially early. Then too, we can make a decision to sleep too long and go to work late, if we wish to take a chance on losing our job.

The minor decisions throughout the day are numerous. Sometimes we face a major decision, such as whom should I marry; or, should I buy or rent a certain house; or should I move to another city.

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! It might or might not be true that the poorer people are, the fewer decisions they are faced with. In any case, we continually are making decisions. We can rely on our experience, our desires, our talents, our sense of duty, what people expect of us, to make the decisions. We can ask other people, and sometimes it helps to get godly counsel.

We can rely on these sources, or we can keep holding up our decisions to the Lord. This is what I do. I have learned that when I do this, things work out much better. Have you found this to be true?

The Bible tells us to acknowledge God in all our ways. This is what I am referring to — acknowledging God in all our ways.

Here in America, most of us have decisions to make about what we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We can obey our appetite and our desires, or we can keep asking the Lord what we should eat. This is what I do.

I am not delighted with the idea of referring to myself continually, but I am hoping to convince you that this is a practical, manageable, delightful way of handling the problems of life.

Soon it becomes a habit. You find yourself talking to God all the time.

In my own case, the Lord often speaks to my mind with words. I understand many Christians are having this experience today. I think the Lord Jesus is drawing closer to us. But you must remember always to test any spirit that communicates with you.

It is not necessary for the Lord speak to us. The Bible says if we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will direct our paths. God can direct our paths without speaking to us.

Can you see that by looking to God for everything, you do you are obeying the will of God more than ever before? You are becoming the will of God in your personality. Now you are reflecting the will of God by everything you do.

There is a great deal of effort being put into Christian work in these days. Sometimes I wonder how many of our leaders are hearing from the Lord, and how many are just doing what they suppose is the Lord’s will and asking God to bless their endeavors.

To my way of thinking, trying to do the Lord’s work without hearing from the Lord comes too close to laying our hand on the Ark (II Samuel 6:6). We become aware God wants to move, and then we attempt to help God when we are not certain of what God has in mind to perform.

I have mentioned God’s will as expressed under the old covenant, and God’s will as expressed under the new covenant. I have spoken of the two phases of the forming of Christ in us: the writing of the eternal moral law of God in our personality; and our awareness of the mind of Christ at every point of action throughout the day and night.

I have stated that all the sin in the universe began as Satan decided to express his own will rather than submitting to the will of the Father. We all have suffered from Satan’s decision, haven’t we.

As we consider what is going on in the world today, the problems in the Middle East; the economic worries in America; the terrorism; Europe’s frustration with America’s unwillingness to submit to the policies of Europe; one wonders whether any of the leaders of any country or any religion know the mind of the Lord. I know a great many Americans would ridicule the idea that anyone should govern his or her life by looking to God for wisdom at every point of decision.

It seems so clear to me that every person on the earth and every angel in the heavens should look to the Lord Jesus Christ for every thought in their minds; every word they speak; every action they take. What could be simpler and more profitable?

Instead, people rely on their own wisdom and desires. They base their decisions on these. And so the world languishes in confusion, corruption, agony, and death.

How utterly needless, when the Lord is so willing to help us with every decision in every situation.

In order to look to the Lord for every decision of life, we must have faith that God knows what we need; that God wants to bring us to joy; and that God is able to bring us to joy if we let Him do so.

This was the question raised in the beginning, wasn’t it? “Eve, you just can’t trust God. He doesn’t want you to be wise. He wants you to be ignorant and stupid. So if you will just do what you want, and eat of the tree, you will be better off.” Excellent advice! Not too long after this, Eve found herself in a field, under the blazing sun, planting beans with a short-handled hoe.

I remember one day driving home from preaching for Brother Dowell in Lemon Grove. On my way home, I crossed the bridge over Mission Valley, I think it is called. Mission Valley is a natural route for water to follow from a dam in the east traveling westward to the Pacific Ocean. This valley is filled with homes and businesses of all sorts. If there is enough rain and that dam breaks loose, there will be billions of dollars of property damage and probably many lives lost.

I was thinking about this as I was driving across the bridge, and I thought of the wretchedness the people would be experiencing. As I pondered this disaster that may take place some day, the Lord spoke to me. He said to the effect, “I take no pleasure in seeing people endure so much suffering, with their possessions floating away, and no place to find shelter. If the engineers and builders had asked me, I would have shown them how to prevent such a tragedy.”

Can’t you just imagine the civil engineers and the developers and builders asking the Lord what they should do! But they could have, just as well as not! “O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” There is an old hymn that goes something like that.

We are facing Divine judgments on our nation. The future will be an era of moral and physical horrors, if I am hearing the Spirit correctly. We are going to need to hear from the Lord continually if we are to be of help to our loved ones and the people around us.

The Lord is more than willing to advise us. He always sits as King of the flood. He is just waiting to see if anyone is going to ask for wisdom and help.

It’s a shame, isn’t it, that such wisdom, such joy, such strength are waiting for anyone who cares enough to ask for them. Yet we plow on in our ignorant, stubborn, rebellious manner until we have harmed a number of people including ourselves. Isn’t it the truth?

I suppose I have rambled on long enough. When I woke up this morning, my mind was filled with the need to write about the will of God. I have a tremendous desire to be for eternity in the will of God throughout His universe. Do you have such a desire? My God grant it to you.

(“The Will of God”, 3112-1, proofed 20230725)