113 – The Will of God

SEMESTER 1

113 – The Will of God

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY I LESSON # 13
 THE WILL OF GOD

Read Eph. 1:1-11, Pro. 21:1, Job 9:12. (Note particularly Eph. 1:5,9,11.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. This term “the will of God” is one of the most carelessly used, yet poorly understood.
2. Let us come to the word of God, not for “proof texts” but for informa­tion.
3. This may well be one of the most difficult subjects for the natural mind to accept, yet revelation is extensive.

I. THE NECESSARY NATURE OF WILL

1. Every intelligent being has a will, God does, man in God’s image does.
2. In soteriology we study man’s will, in theology we study God’s will.
3. God’s will is (a) free, (b) powerful, (c) immutable.

II. DIFFICULTIES IN THIS PROCESS OF THOUGHT

1. God’s will is the attribute of God, which determines and executes every event.
2. Providence is the manifestation of God’s power and will, functioning in unity.
3. All events are sequential, and interrelated, thus control of any, necessitates control of all.

III: The old poem: “For Want of A Nail.”

4. Both reason and revelation demand that all things are con­trolled by providence.
5. Consider the following Scriptures to establish this basic: Job 1:21, Job 2:10, Job 13:15.
6. God’s will must even include men’s wicked acts, or om­nipotence is denied. (Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27-28)
9. That God can will sin, and yet (according to Scripture) not be the author of sin is difficult, yet very true.

III. DISTINCTIONS OF GOD’S WILL

1. This is a necessary, yet difficult conclusion and study.
2. There is much misconception and misstatement of it, such as:

i. This is God’s perfect will for me, but this “larger circle” is His permissive will.
ii. God’s will “for me” may be outside of, or even contrary to biblical revelation.

III: The modern philosophy, do what is “right for you.”

3. These proper divisions have been made under different kindred headings:

i. Revealed will – secret will
ii. Will of purpose – will of command
iii. Positive will – passive will
iv. Will of decree – will of approbation

IV. A NECESSARY UNDERSTANDING OF DISTINCTION

1. That, what God commands, may not be what He has decreed.

III: The apparent contrast in Ex. 8:1-2 to Ex. 4:21-23.

2. That His decree will come to pass. (Eph. 1:11, Isa. 14:24-27)
3. That His revealed will is often disobeyed.
4. That men are definitely responsible for this disobedience.