Reading Correctly - God's Will

 

     It was John Piper who opened my eyes to a better understanding of God's Will as he diagramed the first two verses found in Ephesians 1.  First in a lengthy article called, "Are There Two Wills in God?" dated January 1, 1995, then in a short video called "What are the Two Wills of God?" Before I share my new understanding, I will ask a question.  Would you agree that it is always easier to understand a word's meaning if we hear it correctly?  Unfortunately, when we read the Word of God silently to ourselves, we miss the passage's inflection, and we fail to pick up on a subtle difference had we read it aloud or listened to someone else's interruption. For a short time, I was attempting to learn another language.  In this endeavor, it came to my attention that tone mattered.  Depending on the tone of a syllable, I could be saying an entirely different word.  It hadn't dawned on me that the same was true for English; it is something we take for granted.  That is one of the reasons that we can misinterpret text messages.  Sometimes it takes someone to point something out to us, for us actually to see it.  This article isn't necessarily about 'tone';  this article is about understanding an underlying meaning that we may have overlooked.    

     Many words in our English language have multiple definitions.  One need only look at a dictionary to see that this is true.  The fact that some words can be used as either a noun or a verb can also alter our understanding.  Sometimes the same term, pronounced differently, provides insight into whether the word is stated in the past or present tense. (for example, consider the word 'read.')   

     Let's begin by looking at the various definitions for the word 'will.' According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, I have included a table of eight unique uses for this word (see below).     

It is used to express a future event.

It is used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent, or refusal.

It is used to express a command, exhortation, or an injunction.

It is used to express frequency, customary, or habitual action, or natural tendency.

It is used to express probability.

It is used to express inevitability.

It is used to express determination.

It is used to express capability or sufficiency.

 

     Through a short video, Pastor Piper develops the argument that God has two types of Wills:  one he calls a Will of decree, and the other a Will of Command.  I have included a link if you have 12 minutes to gain additional clarity.  (click here to view) 

A Will of Decree versus A Will of Command

 

     God's Will (of decree) is expressed with clarity to the outcome.  It is defined as an inevitable fact.  There is nothing to stand in its way of God's Will turning out exactly as God has stated.  It is declarative.  Sometimes, we may be inclined to exchange the word 'will' with the word' purpose; however, we will also find the phrase, "God's purpose, according to the will of His counsel, (see Ephesians 1:11)" which, I believe, means that God's will supports His purpose.  In Job 42:2 (ESV), we read, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." I have mistakenly transposed the word 'will' for 'purpose,' as I've quoted this verse.  This verse doesn't say that nothing in God's Will can be thwarted.  Of course, this would be true if we were talking about God's Will of decree.

     In comparison, God's Will (of command) allows humanity to decide on how they will respond to what God desires.  If we decide to do as God commands, it is a righteous action; otherwise, it is wrong.  It remains God's Will (or desire) that we respond in a certain way, but God does not insist upon it.  For example, the Civil Code recorded in Exodus chapter twenty expresses God's Will for humanity.  We often refer to this as the Ten Commandments.  This Civil Code is one place where God made His desires known.  We can understand that God gave this code of Law to get "Egypt Out of the Israelites" while getting the Israelites out of Egypt.  They had lived as slaves for 430 years and had learned to do as they were told.  Now God was forming them into a nation.  As a nation, they would be required to make decisions.  Their decision to obey would reveal to other nations that Israel served the One and Only True God.  In many passages, God provides the consequences that would follow lousy decision making.  Doesn't it make sense, because God gave humanity free will, that He would have also created ways for humankind to express his freedom of choice?  God desires that our conduct is in accordance with His Will; however, God doesn't demand it.  The Law provided healthy boundaries for humanity.  If we stay within the boundary, life works in harmony with God's Design. 

     There are many examples in Scriptures where we can easily see that God's Will is expressed as a Will of decree.  For instance, God Willed that Abimelech would not defile Sarah, Abraham's wife, although he had been misled to believe that Sarah was 'only' Abraham's sister (recorded in Genesis 20).  Genesis 20:6 reveals that God prevented Abimelech from touching Sarah.  In other Biblical accounts, God provides man with the reasons behind His unchangeable Will.  For example, in the story of the Exodus, we know that God in His Sovereignty could have changed Pharaoh's heart at any time.  Yet in God's infinite wisdom, He explains to Moses that Pharaoh will refuse to 'Let His People Go.' When looking closely at this account, we read 'Pharaoh's heart was hardened' first, but later we read 'God hardened Pharaoh's heart.' In some instances, God allowed Pharaoh's nature to determine his decision, but ultimately, we can see that God took over to accomplish His purpose.  What started as a Will of Command turned into a Will of Decree.

     Up until now, I had never taken time to consider that the expression "God's Will" could carry different meanings.  With this discovery, I can begin to deepen my understanding of Scripture by analyzing what type of expression of God's Will is represented within the passages I read.  Whether God's Will is a decree or a command, I should wholeheartedly recognize His Will with a desire to obey. God's Sovereignty is not in question.  How fortunate we are to have a God who allows us to make decisions on some things.  As our children grow, we know that allowing them to make decisions is all part of the maturing process.  With this new understanding, I can recognize God's pattern in working with humanity.  God's story will not change, regardless of our decisions, because He has determined exactly how His story will turn out. 

     If you've not yet watched the video link included above, can you determine whether Paul's assignment to be an apostle was God's Will of command or decree found in Ephesians 1?  Hint, you may have to look at the book of Galatians to find your answer.