God's Will and Guidance (2)

God’s Will

The Meaning of God’s Will

God’s Sovereign Will

God’s sovereign will involves His ultimate complete control over everything. Nothing happens that is not in God’s plan. History is really the unfolding of God’s purposes, which happen exactly as He planned.

Look up each of the following passages, and write out the key thought about God’s sovereign will.

Isaiah 14:24 NASB95

The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,

Judgment on Assyria The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, (NASB95) What I have planned and stated will be carried out as expected.

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; (NASB95) I am the Lord and from former times to the present time, my will is accomplished.

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; (NASB95)

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; (NASB95)

also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (NASB95). From what the Lord predestined in the past, reigns in the present.

also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (NASB95)

God’s Commanded Will

God’s commanded will is revealed through the Bible as laws or principles. It is the aspect of His will to which men are held accountable.

According to Matthew’s gospel, believers are:

Believers are commanded by the Great Commission to evangelize the lost and instruct them to learn everything Jesus Christ has instructed.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NASB95)

Believers are commanded to love the Lord their God with all of their inner-being, with all of their spiritual intellect, and with all of their spiritual strength.

And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (NASB95)

The Nature and characteristics of God’s Will

God’s sovereign and commanded will are better understood in light of their respective characteristics.

What are the characteristics of God’s will?

The characteristics of God’s sovereign will are:

Secret; known only to God except as where revealed through history or revelation.

Able to be resisted or thwarted

Not encompass with both good and evil (sin)

Comprehensive; it controls all aspect of life, time, and history.

Not commanded to be known or discovered. God has revealed what He wants known of His sovereign will.

The characters of God’s commanded will are:

Completely reveal in Scripture

Not able to be resisted or disobeyed.

Only involved in that which is good and holy.

Specific; and provides excellent principles for godly living.

Excellent and believers are instructed to understand, and obey all that God has revealed about them.

How should We Response to God’s Will?

[Proverbs 3:5-6]

Trust in the Lord with all of your inner-spiritual attributes.

Don’t lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him

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Be willing to suffer according to God’s will

Believe that our creator is faithful

Entrust your soul to the Creator

Always do what is correct in the eyes of the Lord

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Do not live foolishly

Understand what God’s will is for our life

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We are to always

love the Lord our God

keep His charge

keep statutes

keep His ordinances

always keep His commandments

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The secret things of Scripture belongs to the Lord

All revealed Scripture belongs to God’s people forever

That we may observe and obey all the words of Scripture

Guidance

Because of His great love, God has predestined, called, justified, and will glorify all believers. He also guides us.

Meaning of Guidance

Guidance is God’s active role in our lives, accomplishing His purposes.

Note the following words used in the Bible to describe guidance. Write down how the verse conveys the meaning of each word.

Lead (to shepherd; to bear or carry)

But He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the wilderness like a flock; 53 He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies. (NASB95)

And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (NASB95)

Guide (to show; to help understand)

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (NASB95)

With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. (NASB95)

Direct (to establish or prepare; to make straight)

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (NASB95)

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. (NASB95)

The Nature of Guidance

The information below outlines ways that God guides people directly and indirectly.