Your Will Be Done: Knowing and Doing God’s Will

Pastor Richard Blake
26th June 2011

Matthew 6:10b

The Lord gives clear instruction that we are to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Yet to make this petition is to acknowledge that the will of God is not done on earth, or even in our own lives, as it is done it heaven. There, it is done joyfully, immediately, and completely. To make this position with spiritual integrity, we must understand what it is we are asking for. There are sincere questions that Christ-followers have about the will of God.

I. What is the meaning of “The Will of God?”

Biblical terms and concepts provide the basis for a variety of terms used to answer this question. Theologians sometimes speak of the Decretive and the Preceptive will of God in order to clarify. The “decretive will” speaks of God’s decrees that issue from His sovereignty that will be carried out. By this will, God’s desire shall come to pass and nothing can stand in its way. It is a matter of His divine purpose and determination and is inflexible. For example, in Acts 2:23, Luke makes clear that the crucifixion of Jesus was not an accident, nor an unexpected tragedy that God exploited for His purpose; it was a matter of His predetermined plan, of His unalterable will. God has many plans that we do not fully understand, and we’re to avoid trying to pull back the curtain on such mysteries. When we pray for His will to be done in this regard, we affirm the excellence of His plan and express confidence as we await its fulfillment. We’re even to pray for God to hasten the coming of it, as John responded to the promise of the Lord’s return, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” The preceptive will of God is expressed in precepts, in statutes, and commandments found in God’s word. They express what is right and proper for us to do, they are God’s desires for our lives. While the decretive will of God cannot be broken, the preceptive will of God is broken regularly. He commands that we have no other gods before Him; that we do not steal, or lie, or covet, or commit adultery; that we love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet these and many other matters of God’s will are broken by unbelievers and children of God daily. When we pray for God’s preceptive will to be done, we express a desire that we will be continually and completely obedient to every desire and command of God.

II. What is the relationship between the will of God and my decision-making?

We may also want to know the will of God in matters not covered by God’s decrees and commands. How do we make decisions consistent with God’s will? We must recognize that God does have a will for other matters, a will He is not hiding from us. What are the sources of guidance available to us? Of first importance, study God’s word, for it is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). As believers, we have the Holy Spirit within who will guide us, always consistent with Scripture. We can also discover God’s guidance through circumstances He allows into our lives, almost as “road signs” that line up to point the way. Godly people who know our circumstances and us may also give us helpful counsel. God may even speak on occasion through a dream or vision, though we must evaluate such in light of Scripture. Finally, we may consult our own sanctified preferences in matters, trusting that God has shaped our character and personalities in such a way as to dispose us to His will in certain areas. At all times, we must pray over every element in the process. When a decision must be made, we can trust that God will keep us from stumbling (Ps. 37:23-24).

III. Is God’s Will Your Will?

Ultimately, we must answer this question. Some cannot pray for God’s will to be done because they fear it won’t be pleasant to them. Some respond to the will of God with resentment, or resignation, or outright rebellion. Yet only when we have come to the point where we have abandoned our will for the will of God can we hope to really discover His will, one that is good, and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:1-2). Lord, may your will be done on earth—and in my life—even as it is in heaven.