God Wills?

GOD WILLS?

Frequently, we say, “If God wills, we shall be or do whatever?” What is it that God really wills for us? For instance was it His will that I had to be disabled in 1951? For a time, I was led to believe that the accident had to occur so that I was compelled to serve God. A closer look at the Bible suggests six basic things God wills for us.

First and foremost, God wills the good. Everything He created was good (Genesis 1). All good gifts come from God (James 1:17). ). Accidents are due to human errors and if there is a power that wishes us ill then it is the enemy of God (John 8:42-47). All the evil that is befalling the world and life are his doing (Revelation 12: 9). Satan is loose on earth and is creating havoc among the nations (Revelation 20:2, 9-10).

Second, God willed man to be a special creature with the ability to choose, decide, and manage prudently and productively the environment and him self (Genesis 1:26-30). Jesus suggested that we be clever as serpents and without guile like doves (Matthew 10:6). Man can resist the devil (James 4:7; Ephesians 4:27).

Third, God willed the family. It was the fabric of the home, the community and the nation. God joined one man and one woman and has no place for polygamy or promiscuity (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6).

Fourth, God wills that man do prosper as individuals and as a nation. Man can if he lives by God’s rules (Deuteronomy 5:13; 29: 9). God willed that man sweat for his bread (Genesis 3:19). There is no food for the lazy man (II Thessalonians 3:10). When this nation followed God’s Laws, it did prosper and so did those that did not give God credit. He willed the sun to shine on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). Both will either prosper or fail until judgment day (Matthew 13:24-30).

Fifth, God is not willing to let man perish (II Peter 3:9). He is not interested in our demise. That is why He has provided a way to safety in Jesus (John 3:16). This too is man’s choice. Man can follow Jesus back to God or he can follow the devil where he leads.

Sixth, God willed that His Spirit would remain available to man to guide his conscience (Jn.16: 12-15). There are conditions man must meet (John 14:23-26). The Holy Spirit comes to those that invite Him into their lives (Luke 11:13). Without the Spirit of God life becomes chaotic and tragic (Psalm 51:11-12). An example for our nation is the period of the Judges in the Bible. Another was at the time of Jesus when people were doing the devil’s work instead of God’s (John 8:42-47). The Gentiles faced a similar plight (Romans 1).

The Bible insists that God has willed in the act of creation itself everything man needs to make it in this life and the one hereafter. Everything that is still coming to pass that is good has already been created and that includes all the souls still to be born. Even the blessings have been put in place for those that do what is right (Genesis 3:17; Deuteronomy 11:26; Ephesians 1:4). In fact, God is resting. It is His seventh day (Genesis 2:2). For man it is a time to work and make the right choices (Philippians 2:12). God no longer interferes. The devil does, but he is being kept temporarily from destroying God’s handiwork (II Thessalonians 2:6-7; Genesis 1:2).