God's Will

[Indentured Servant]

In my first ten years as a follower of Christ, I recall frequent references to, and questions about, God's Will. 

Nowadays, there are discussions about "free will," and I just don't see that as an edifying topic.

What I'd like to do, for anyone interested, is to ask, what you think, know, or know, about:

"What is God's will?"

 

 

 

[Who me]

Jesus said if you love me you will obey my commands.

If we are doing that, then as Christians we are growing 8n our 3xperience of God as well as demonstrating the love of God in our speech and our actions.

[timf]

 1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

God's will is that all would be saved. However, man has the free will to reject this offer.

Even Christians have to option to walk by the Spirit if we choose to.

Gal_5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

[PATrobas]

I can be summed up in just two verses: Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. :2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." 

Presenting your bodies as a sacrifice to be used by God however He pleases.

Separating yourself from the affairs of this life. (2 Tim. 2:4)

Renew your mind by immersion in the Word, study, prayer, fellowship, communion (Acts 2:42)

He will show you His Good, Acceptable and Perfect will.

[FriendofJonathan]

The will of God.

Repent and believe. (John 6:40)

Abstain from sexual sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

Give thanks in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Submit to doing what is right. (1 Peter 2:13-15).

 

[Indentured Servant]

1 hour ago, PATrobas said:

I can be summed up in just two verses: Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. :2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." 

Presenting your bodies as a sacrifice to be used by God however He pleases.

Separating yourself from the affairs of this life. (2 Tim. 2:4)

Renew your mind by immersion in the Word, study, prayer, fellowship, communion (Acts 2:42)

He will show you His Good, Acceptable and Perfect will.

Love that scripture!

[PATrobas]

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

[Indentured Servant]

1 hour ago, PATrobas said:

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Great verses!

[tatwo]

On 3/28/2025 at 5:14 PM, Indentured Servant said:

What I'd like to do, for anyone interested, is to ask, what you think, know, or know, about:

"What is God's will?"

Let’s define the word “will”...this is from biblehub.com

Will - G2307 – “theléma” defined as “will, desire, purpose.”

Usage: In the New Testament, theléma primarily refers to the will or desire of God, encompassing His sovereign plans and purposes. It can also denote human will or desire, though it is most often used in the context of divine will. The term emphasizes the intentional and purposeful nature of God's actions and commands.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "will" was often associated with fate or destiny, but in the biblical context, theléma underscores a personal and relational God who actively engages with His creation. The Jewish understanding of God's will was deeply rooted in the Torah, where obedience to God's commandments was seen as aligning with His will. In the New Testament, the concept expands to include the revelation of God's will through Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote in Philippians 2...[emphasis mine]“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  (13)  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 NASB

For the children and the mature sons of God...”God’s will”...is the “Fathers desire” at work in us which is why it is called...”God’s  will.” It is made known to us by the Holy Spirit who indwells our human spirit. We are expected to individually pursue at all cost...to know and understand “God’s will” for our lives which is the purpose for which “He redeemed us.” This is what it means to be continually formed in the image of Christ. “He saves” us so that “He can redeem” us to “His will” for us.

This is to develop “a close personal and loving relationship with our Spirit Father” so that we can learn of “His personal desire for us...directly from Him” and how He would desire for us to “live the life” He is revealing to us...as we grow and mature.

In Ephesians 1 we are told...“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,  (6)  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  (7)  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace  (8)  which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight  (9)  He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him  (10)  with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him  (11)  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,  (12)  to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:5-12 NASB

I have one last passage of scripture to express my understanding of “What is God’s will?”  And granted I am presenting my understanding in an elementary way versus an exhaustive deconstruction...let’s read this...“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB In this we see an “echo” of Ephesians 1:11 “having been predestined according to His purpose...”

The...“which God prepared beforehand”...is very likely referencing His desire for us from before creation was actually in place...He is eternal...He was before creation is. God has in “His will”...what Paul calls “good works” for each of us. And God has this expectation...for those who find Him...and desire to learn about “His will” for them...at all cost...to them...that they would walk out what it is that “God the Father has in His mind...for them." In this we learn to “surrender our will” Indentured Servant...as He shows us how to embrace and live out “His will” in our lives.

It’s not a difficult subject really...but this should suffice for now let me know if you have any questions about what I have posted here.

Tatwo...:)

[TheBlade]

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.

Hmm ever have or own a slave? Man I hope the answer is :) NO that is not your spouse.. but you might feel like their slave :)

Point is were not slaves to God. You know in 64 years from birth till now only once did this love come over me for my wife ..something was happening where it could not get much worse. Its hard so hard to explain this love. Well oh I so wanted to treat her like a queen. No matter what it was...if she was going to act like that treat me like that for the rest of our lifes I didn't care at all for I wanted nothing in return. To love her to do what ever she wanted was like getting the greatest treasure I could have the greatest reward. In this life I don't know about you but 3 word have popped up over our 40+ years together and that is "what about me?" haha. Those words were not there what so ever. 

 Yeah go for it how can only giving be the greatest reward? In that moment I understood its better to give then to receive. I was in my late 40's then and ooh man I so wish He would have shown me this on day one but I got in the way. 

The point I am trying to make is His will? Is something that will give you great joy and happiness but we always think we know better fi we do it our way.  The song playing by Jason Crabb "Just as I am". He loves us...I just wanna say thank you.. Thank you for loving me.. I just wanna say thank you thank you thank you for loving me... 

For me its hard very hard to love someone I don't know never met and He knows that.. but at some point it will happen. Then you understand where He said to them some years later after walking with Him day and night "if you love me you will keep/do my words/commands