As genuine children of God, we must be single-mindedly committed to God’s prevailing will. Apostle Paul’s determination to fulfill God’s will at all costs, preach the gospel andendure persecution, despite prophetic warnings of impending persecution, is a compelling example. This unwavering commitment to God’s will is essential for every believer.
When we resolve to do God’s will in any area of our lives, we must not be deterred by the opinions or sympathies of others. Our prayer, expectations, hope, love, delight and joy should centre on seeing God’s will prevail in our lives above Satan’s will and far beyond our personal desires. More so, present day personalities like Biblical Pharaoh may labour, Balak and Balaam may conspire together, Joab and Absalom may plot against King David, Nebuchadnezzar may kindle the fire of threat and Herod may kill to contradict God’s will. However, as followers of Christ, we must be committed to letting God’s will take precedence.
Apostle Paul understood this from the time of his conversion. We must be wise, “understanding what the will of the Lord is.” The will of God is to have “a gloriouschurch, not having spot or wrinkle or any of such a thing; but that it should be holyand without blemish.” Furthermore, we are to obey and reverence our leaders, both atwork and in the church, and our parents at home. We must serve Christ, doing the willof God from the heart.
When we prioritise God’s will, it will prevail in our homes, character, behaviour and Christian experience. Even after fulfilling His will, we must learn to be patient to “receive the promise.” Through our goodness, character and Christlikeness, we will “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Suffering for the sake of Christ should bring us joy, knowing we are in the centre of God’s will. Ultimately, we must desist from sinning, preferring instead to live by God’s will, because only those who do “the will of God (will abide with Him) forever.”
There is swift-signal condemnation for those who abandon God’s perfect will in preference for His permissive will. The life of Balaam, a pagan prophet in the Bible, illustrates this. His case demonstrates what happens when a person is not ready to do God’s perfect will, opting instead for God’s permissive will.
God’s permissive will incurs His anger, judgment and destroys the backslider. The NewTestament describes individuals who follow this path as those who “have forsaken theright way, and are gone astray…” (2Peter 2:15). They may claim to have received divineguidance, but if it contradicts God’s word, it is merely permissive will, leading to eternalcondemnation. Those who follow permissive will, like such Bible characters as Cain, Korah and Balaam, are often motivated by personal gain, recognition and wealth. Such people think gain is godliness.
The consequences of following God’s permissive will are severe. Those who abandonGod’s perfect will prioritise their desires, effectively abandoning His plans for theirs. As aresult, God gives them over to their sinful desires and they walk in their own counsel.
The children of Israel lusted in the wilderness and tempted God. So, He “gave them theirrequest; but sent leanness into their soul.” God sends strong delusions, causing suchpeople to believe lies and take pleasure in unrighteousness. Ultimately, this leads tospiritual death and separation from God. “That they all might be damned who believednot the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” If we follow after permissive will,God will abandon us. His desire is to grant us salvation, sanctification and the willingness to abandon our personal will, and follow His chosen path for our lives.
• Further reading (King James Version): Hebrews 10:7,9; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Ephesians 1:4; Luke 2:49; Romans 8:29;Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6; 3:3; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 2:16. Acts 21:10-14; 20:22-24; 22:14,15; Colossians 1:9; Ephesians 5:17,25-27; 6:5,6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7; Hebrews 10:36-39; 1 Peter 2:15; 3:16-18; 4:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17. Numbers 22:12,15-20,22-35; 2 Peter 2:15-17; Jude 11-13; Ezekiel 14:6-10; Jeremiah 18:12;Psalm 81:11,12; 106:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11,12; Romans 1:28,32; Hebrews 10:7,9.
