By Decree and Desire

I know somebody who occasionally does things without giving too much thought to them, and then says, "God will take care of me." I don't really know what to make of that. It could come very close to testing God, and of course that's a bit of a no-no, on the other hand, this person has a real faith, and God indeed has taken care of this person. Is it God's will though, for us to just plunge ahead and trust that He will make it all "turn out okay," or are we to be actively and responsibly seeking to make sure ahead of the "plunge," that we are in His will? How do we determine what His will is? What do we even mean by His "will?"

In regard to His will, people are generally coming at it from one of two ways. They are either talking about His "decree" and calling it His will, or they are talking about His "desire" and calling it His will. On the one hand, everything happens according to God's decree, by His power and "permissive" will. He permits things to happen because He has given us free will, but it's obvious that mankind does sin, and that means that not everything is done according to what He desires for us.

When something has happened and you hear someone say it, "must have been God's will," they're usually talking about things that fall under His decree, but when someone says, "It's God's will for you to pursue this," they're talking about what they believe He desires for you. The confusion seems to enter in when folks are trying to figure out what God's desire is, and I think the reason there is confusion is because they think they see His will in their personal experience, but without any kind of scriptural guidance. The reason I think that is because it is immensely clear that God's desire for us is found in His Word, and that is what so many believers find themselves neglecting.

Here are a few examples of what the Bible says about God's will.

"3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

"15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:15-21

These are texts that speak of God's will, His desire for us as believers, and for all of mankind. There is never a time when we should not obey these texts. Some people will say that "The Holy Spirit led me to do this," and that might be true, but we had better be sure. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice." To be sure, we need to be immersed in God's Word. That is where we are to find if we are in accordance with both His desire for us, and that is where the confusion about His desire for us should end. With some two-hundred plus commands in the New Testament alone, one shouldn't have to look far.

Paul's different exhortations to the church in Thessalonica are a further example of how clear the Bible is about how are decisions are to be enveloped by the directing power of the Holy Spirit.

"12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

These things are the "will of God in Christ Jesus for you." These things are God's desire for us, and our desire should be to honor Him, by doing these things.