What Is God's Will for Your Life?

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

-Romans 12:2 ESV

Why Does It Matter?

At some point all of us have wrestled with this question: "What is God's will?" We may have asked the question about relationships, a career, finances, a house, or a church. Maybe we want to be faithful with God's plan for our lives. Or maybe we are trying to make sense of injustice or some form of suffering. What is God's will? How can we know?

All Christians agree that God is sovereign, and his Scriptures are our final authority. However, this is typically viewed as a secondary or tertiary issue since various secondary theological topics may affect how we understand the nuances of this doctrine (e.g., Calvinism vs. Arminianism, charismatic gifts, etc.).

What Is It?

What is God's will? Many times we are faced with this question in our lives. Scripture speaks of God's will in many different ways. The three most common ways are: (1) God's will of decree (hidden); (2) God's will of precept (revealed) and (3) God's will of disposition (attitude). It is common to hear about the first two categories referred to as "the two wills of God." Others, like R. C. Sproul, prefer the three categories listed above.

These three categories will be covered later. First, here are some key Scriptures to study.

Key Scriptures:

John 19:11 | 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."
Romans 9:14-18 | 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Ephesians 1:11 | 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Colossians 1:9-14 | 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 6:13-18 | 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
2 Peter 3:9 | 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 | 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now, the chart below will cover the three categories of God's will mentioned earlier. This chart is adapted from the content from R. C. Sproul, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith: 100 Key Teachings in Plain Language (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1992), 71-73.

God's Will of...	Description
Decree (Hidden, Sovereign)	What happens is from God: Everything that happens is ordained by God (or at least permitted) and therefore in his will. Since God is in complete control of the universe, we can know that everything that happens is in his will. It is hidden in the sense that we don't know what his will is for tomorrow until we experience it. Example: every event that comes to pass
Precept (Revealed)	What is commanded by God: God has revealed what his will is in the sense that we know what he commands. He has given us clear commandments in Scripture. We have the power to break them, but we don't have the right to break them. Example: Ten Commandments
Disposition	What is pleasing to God: Sometimes Scripture is describing God's disposition. In other words, it is describing God's attitude. Example: God doesn't delight in the death of the wicked

Application

Are you facing an important decision? Are you wondering what God's will is for your life? If you are not a Christian, then his will is for you to believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins (John 3:16).

Furthermore, if you are a Christian, then you must learn Scripture. Since the Bible is God's word (2 Tim 3:16-17), all Christians should read Scripture to know what God desires.

Concerning prayer, all Christians should ask God for wisdom, trusting that God will provide it (James 1:5). We should ask to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Undoubtedly those who believe the miraculous spiritual gifts continue will feel more comfortable asking for God to provide some form of experiential guidance (1 Cor. 12-14).

As we grow in holiness, the Lord shapes and purifies our desires. As long as it is not sinful, we can choose what our heart desires, trusting that the Lord put it in our hearts (Ps. 37:4). And we can move forward in confidence, knowing that God is sovereign: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). At that point, in the words of Kevin DeYoung, "Just do something!"

Where Can I Learn More?

Bibliography:

-DeYoung, Kevin. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2009.

-MacArthur, John. Found: God's Will: Find the Direction and Purpose God Wants for Your Life. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 1977.

-Packer, J. I., and Carolyn Nystrom. God's Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008.

-Sproul, R. C. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith: 100 Key Teachings in Plain Language. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1992.

-Articles:

John Piper's article titled, "Are There Two Wills in God?"
Sam Storms' article titled, "Are there Two Wills in God?"