"UNDERSTANDING GOD’S TWO WILLS." OCTOBER 2021

The will of God in the believer’s life remains a vital part of his very existence, and has a profound effect upon his ability to please God in his daily walk, and in his growth into the very image of Jesus Christ. Needless to say that in certain sections of the Christian growth, there is a "happy go lucky" frame of mind in which the theme seems to follow the trend of the popular songs of a few years back that said: Que Sera Sera whatever will be will be, the future not ours to see, Que Sera Sera. That mindset caters to a loose "carefree mindset" where the will of God is not a factor in our growth or well being as it pertains to spiritual matters.

The two wills of God are known as His perfect will, or as I call it; His predestinated will and his "permissive will." The first is based upon the concept that even before time began, God fore saw, fore knew and fore determined. The word "fore" means before time began, or before we were born. Paul puts it this way: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate (or pre-determined) to be conformed (meaning to be fashioned like unto—patterned after) to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29.

Therefore, we can conclude that every aspect of our daily life is being monitored and judge by the Master against his perfect will. Paul was very serious when he wrote in his pastoral letter to the Romans, saying: "I beseech you therefore brethren (brothers and sisters alike) by the mercies of God (that is what it will take) that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1, 2.

There are two main factors at this early stage for us to consider in this study. The final step is for us to ascertain the perfect will of God. Paul listed the factors and the steps in our quest to find the perfect will of God. First of all, the appropriate step begins with us presenting our bodies a living sacrifice unto God which is our reasonable service. Having done that, we must embark upon the most valuable exercise in meeting the required prerequisite. We must embark upon the renewing of the mind. A renewed mind is required if we are to set ourselves apart from the rudiments of this world. The renewed mind brings us into a more definitive relationship with Christ, and sets our feet upon a more spiritual level, where things of a heavenly nature dwell, as if around the very throne of God. A renewed mind elevates us to the place of total Spirit, and separates us from the hubbub and confusion of the natural world.

What are the nuts and bolts in this scenario? The clarion call that echoes through the corridors of the heavenlies is for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. But how can this be accomplished? It is not by long seasons of fasting and prayers. It is not by asking for a more abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is not be consulting a religious person with unusual talents if spiritual matters. The formula given to us is quite simple and is not expensive to say the least. It is simply by the renewing of the mind. In other words, develop a new mindset; because as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Let this mind be in you, that was in Christ Jesus! We can safely suggest that just about any other effort will no doubt prove to be futile and non-productive. But we need not resort to other efforts or formulas, sine all we need to do, is to produce and live by a mind that conforms to the image of Christ. Thus, we keep our eyes on Christ, "the pattern Son." Along the way, in our quest to be in God’s perfect will, we keep a mindset that endeavors to "learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart." Matthew 11:29.

Let us examine the perfect will of God (that is the predestinated will.) Jesus Christ placed utmost importance upon the will of his Father, and multitudes found out too late, the cost of not acting or serving outside of the Father’s will. One day while reading the scriptures, I came upon this passage that literally put me in a pause and caused me to take a second look at what I just read. Here’s the mindset of Jesus Christ concerning the will of God! "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Obviously, something was wrong in this scenario. There must have been a missing factor that the Lord could not accept or overlook. What was the "fly in the ointment" so to speak? In the previous verse, Jesus outlined his golden rule to which there was no exception. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7: 21-23. This refers emphatically to God’s perfect will! While casually reading the scriptures one day, I came across the passage shown above, and the essence of what Jesus alluded to, caught my attention that perked my interest to delve deeper into the lesson.

As a minister of the gospel, I am counting all the people Jesus referred to as fellow ministers. I picture each one setting out on a good mission, or even great ministries. Their accomplishments were brought to Jesus for his review and the desired rating of their accomplishments. Here are the facts! They prophesied in his name: in his name they actually did cast out devils, and they did many other wonderful works. This sort of accomplishment in ordinary circumstances should have earned them big fat rewards. Instead, the Lord said unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. If, as this suggests, the Lord never knew them, by what power did they do all the works narrated by Christ?

As far as the general practice goes, people of God do things on a whim as the idea pops up in the mind. It is not general practice for us to earnestly seek God’s will for things we do, even big ideas that in many cases have long lasting consequences. We can safely assume that the people mentioned by Jesus in his presentation, did not, at first, seek God’s will before they set out to do the things that bore heavily on their mind. From our vantage point today, the importance of securing the will of God before we act should be evident. Being out of God’s will in small things could come with little or no severe consequences; but we should make it a habit to seek his will in all things.

Let us examine a real-life test case as lived in the life of a true servant of the Lord. God endorsed and accepted his original idea but rejected the final draft of his plan. This case highlights God’s perfect will being put on hold but not rejected by God. There are variations between God’s perfect will and his permissive will. There are also variations in the workings of his perfect will as this next case will prove. Solomon began to remark about his father’s (David) desire to build an house for the name of God. "Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to David my father, For as much as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart. Notwithstanding, thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy lions, he shall build the house for my name." 2^nd Chronicles 6: 7-9.

Let us bring David into our study to hear his personal account of the story. "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people : As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover, I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day." 1^st Chronicles 28:2,3,6,7.

Notice that as far as God’s perfect will was concerned, David’s desire to build a house for the name of the God of Israel to dwell, was a project that God accepted and even thought it to be noble. However, God was willing to put the entire task on hold and in limbo until Solomon was born and grew up into manhood, and then the building that was David’s dream idea was to be done—that was still God’s perfect will. What have we learned here? Just because a project or task is correct and even approved by God, it does not mean that you should be the one to get it done. Even if you are told by prophecy in a live service that God has called you to go to Africa as a missionary, it does not mean that the next day you should buy your ticket to travel. There would be questions for you to ask God for clarification and specifics. What part of Africa God is sending you? When are you supposed to leave? And how are you to start your work once you get there?

Jesus Christ is known in his Body, the Church, as the Pattern Son after whom we all should be fashioned in his labor, and in his obedience to the will of the father. The coming of Christ to earth as Savior was already spoken of in Genesis, as the Seed of the woman that would bruise the serpent’s head. His purpose and ministry on earth was spoken of many hundreds of years before his birth. Here, we read: "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will O God. By saying that, He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Hebrews 10:7-9. As if in a teacup, we are given the full scope of Christ’s earthly ministry.

In his outline of the man Christ Jesus, John gives us a splendid outline. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (The word POWER used here is dynamo) like that used to electrify and power an engine. This is God’s effective working power that grabs the sinner and elevates him or her from the dull drums and murky marshes of sin, to be seated in heavenly places in Christ. But how does the "sonship process" works for us as believers in Christ? Speaking of this particular process, John notes: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12,13. So, as Christ was anointed by the Holy Ghost according to the will of the Father, and put in service in the overall plan of salvation, we were also put in the same service by divine appointment. "Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21.

Jesus Christ was specific in determining his mandate as given to him by the Father.

"For I came down from heaven, not to mine own will, but the will of him that sent me, that of all he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." John 6:38,39.Jesus never stepped aside to put on "a side show" to entertain the curious, and to prove his words one way or another. He did only what he saw of his Father, and was obedient even unto death—the death upon the cross. We will take a look at another real-life story in which we will see both wills of God on display. I will tell the story in my own words to conserve space and time. Back in about the year B.C.1452, king Balak, the son of Zippor was king of Moab. He had heard several accounts of the Israelites and had become sore afraid. He sent

messengers with gifts to Balaam the prophet, inviting him to come and curse the Israelites.

"And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they September 19, 2021, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent them unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to over come them and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them: thou shalt not curse the people. (This is God’s perfect will) for they are blessed. The messengers returned to king Balak with Balaam’s message.

Balak would not take no for an answer, so he sent yet again more princes, and others more honorable than the others. Part of Balak’s message this time, was emphatic: Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming to me. For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me.

Balaam stuck with his resolve not to accede to the request of the king. At this juncture, Balaam went back to God in prayer, asking permission to go to king Balak. This could have been the result of him learning of all that Balak promised him. This time, God said "GO". It would be nice for Balaam to begin his journey to meet with king Balak, bearing in his mind that God did say he could go. What he did not know was the fact that this was God’s permissive will.

God’s perfect will (His predestinated will) comes with his blessings. As far as his second will is concerned, "It comes with consequences." God was still on Balaam’s case! And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled. The ass finally spoke to Balaam saying: What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? Then, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head and fell flat on his face. Listen to God’s version of the entire matter! And the angel of the Lord said unto him. Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee because thy way is perverse before me. Numbers 22: read the entire chapter to get the full story.

We have the saying, "What God has blessed, no man can curse." And the flip side is that what God has cursed, no man can bless. It is obvious that Balaam did not display honorable motives. In fact, as we just noted above, the angel passed a verdict upon the prophet saying, "thy way is perverse before me." Which one of God’s will you’d rather live by? His perfect will should be the one to guide us. It should be the one we pray day and night to abide in. But let us understand that as human beings with personal will and desires, we constantly live in a world that forces us to make choices. Christian teachings differ so much, that more often than not, the child of God is confused in determining between right and wrong. This makes is easy for them to be told by someone else what they must do or not do.

Some pastors and members of the clergy are dominating and have no hesitancy in telling the membership what to do. I visited a church in Ohio some years back, and was surprised to learn that the bishop tells his members who to date, who to marry, and to those who are married (hold on to your hat) the bishop decides what their love lift should be during the week. Are you kidding me? I am telling you the truth! In fact at first I was pondering the idea of fellowshipping with that organization, but what I observed and learned in a week sent me hurrying back home. I have said many times, especially to young people. "If you decide on something important and in your heart, you have made your choice, don’t bother to pray about it. To get the correct result you must be uncommitted to begin with. Seek to remain in God’s "perfect will" not his "permissive will."