THE FOURFOLD WILL OF THE SOVEREIGN GOD Does God make all decisions?

Questions about the Will of God Can an individual know the will of God? Can the will of God be defeated? Are such things as tragic accidents and deformed infants the will of God? The answer to these questions depends on what one means by "the will of God." Three separate and distinct ideas are used in scripture to express God’s will in its various aspects. These ideas are desire, permission and purpose.

THE IDEAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires man to be and/or do as the ideal. B. For example, God desires that no human being ever sin, even one time.

Genesis 2:15-17 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

THE IDEAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires man to be and/or do as the ideal. B. For example, God desires that no human being ever sin, even one time. C. God desires that all men believe in, love and obey Him always. D. This is why man was created.

Genesis 1:27-31 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

Genesis 1:27-31 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Ecclesiastes 7:27-29 "Here is what I have found," says the Preacher, " ... Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (KJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. (NKJ) The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

THE IDEAL WILL OF GOD E. To deny that this is the ideal will of God is to impugn the holiness of God. F. Man can—and does—defeat the ideal will of God.

Romans 3:19-22 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 3:23-26 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God permits, as incidental to His "ideal" will. B. God permits man to exercise free choice. That is, He expresses His desire, and allows man to choose whether or not to comply. C. God permits men to sin, though He neither causes nor approves of sin.

Genesis 2:15-17 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Genesis 6:5-6 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God permits, as incidental to His "ideal" will. B. God permits man to exercise free choice. That is, He expresses His desire, and allows man to choose whether or not to comply. C. God permits men to sin, though He neither causes nor approves of sin. D. God wills the circumstances to exist that make sin possible but He is not responsible for the sin that occurs.

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD Man is free to sin or not to sin, as he chooses; to deny this is to deny the free moral agency of man. To deny the free moral agency of man is to imply that God shows partiality, in punishing some and rewarding others.

Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him."

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD Man is free to sin or not to sin, as he chooses; to deny this is to deny the free moral agency of man. To deny the free moral agency of man is to imply that God shows partiality, in punishing some and rewarding others. If God’s ideal will is realistic, then man can choose not to sin. If man cannot choose not to sin, then God’s ideal will is unrealistic.

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD God also allows but does not necessarily cause physical, psychological and emotional suffering. God permits such for man's benefit.

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD God also allows but does not necessarily cause physical, psychological and emotional suffering. God permits such for man's benefit. Man cannot defeat the incidental will of God, for whatever occurs is allowed by God to occur.

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires of man, given the circumstance of man having sinned. B. Man having sinned, God desires repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 17:30-31 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires of man, given the circumstance of man having sinned. B. Man having sinned, God desires repentance. C. Even though sinners deserve death (spiritual death; eternal separation from God), it is God’s desire that man, while living on earth, would—in loving faith and obedience—accept God’s merciful offer of salvation through the gift of His Son.

Romans 6:23 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires of man, given the circumstance of man having sinned. B. Man having sinned, God desires repentance. C. Even though sinners deserve death (spiritual death; eternal separation from God), it is God’s desire that man, while living on earth, would—in loving faith and obedience—accept God’s merciful offer of salvation through the gift of His Son. D. Man can—and does—defeat the circumstantial will of God.

Acts 24:25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Acts 26:27-28 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD 1. If God’s grace is irresistible, then all will be saved.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD 1. If God’s grace is irresistible, then all will be saved. 2. Some will not be saved.

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD 1. If God’s grace is irresistible, then all will be saved. 2. Some will not be saved. 3. If God is not willing to save all, He shows partiality. 4. God does not show partiality.

Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him."

THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD 1. If God’s grace is irresistible, then all will be saved. 2. Some will not be saved. 3. If God is not willing to save all, He shows partiality. 4. God does not show partiality. 5. Therefore, God is willing to save all, but some will not be saved.

THE ULTIMATE WILL OF GOD This is what God purposes to do ultimately and eternally. It is God’s purpose to eternally bless the righteous and to eternally punish the wicked.

Matthew 25:34, 41, 46 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:'" "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:'" "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Revelation 20:10-15 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.

Revelation 20:10-15 And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Romans 11:22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 ...since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power....

John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."

THE ULTIMATE WILL OF GOD This is what God purposes to do ultimately and eternally. It is God’s purpose to eternally bless the righteous and to eternally punish the wicked. Thus, we will all be judged on how we exercised our free will.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

THE ULTIMATE WILL OF GOD This is what God purposes to do ultimately and eternally. It is God’s purpose to eternally bless the righteous and to eternally punish the wicked. Thus, we will all be judged on how we exercised our free will. Man cannot defeat the ultimate will of God! Man can choose his actions, but he cannot choose the consequences of his actions. God has predetermined the consequences.

CONCLUSIONS Thus, whatever happens in this life is the incidental will of God, in that He permits but does not necessarily desire it to occur. And only that which will happen in eternity is the ultimate will of God. Some aspects of His will can be defeated, but His ultimate will cannot.