My purpose in this article is to demonstrate that much of what passes for prophetic declarations promises what God has not promised and, in fact, stands at variance with biblical Christianity.

This article is not a rejection of Christian hope, prayer, or encouragement for the year ahead. Rather, it is a critique of the practice of issuing authoritative “prophetic declarations” that promise specific outcomes God has not promised and that sit uneasily with the teaching of Scripture.

The Problem with Prosperity Prophecies

Tellingly, you rarely hear declarations that promise tribulation, suffering, or persecution in the coming year on account of one’s faith.

Consider this snippet from a megachurch’s New Year’s Eve service:

“There shall be no tears on your face all through 2026! Good news! 2026 is your year of laughter only! No breakdown for you all through 2026! 2026 is a sickness-free year for you! Your marital destiny case is open! There shall be no death in your household! All through this year, there shall be no downtime in your spiritual life!“

You may have seen or heard similar ‘declarations’ to the ones above, promising a year of uninterrupted blessings. Scripture, however, never promises a suffering-free Christian life. Jesus prepared His disciples for the opposite:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18-21).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

The apostles taught the same:

“When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (Phil. 1:29)

Paul writes that at one point in Asia, he and his companions were so utterly burdened beyond their strength that they despaired of life itself:

“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

The context of these passages proves that suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life. In stark contrast, the import of the so-called prophetic declarations recycled each year is that if God is with you, it will always be sunny and bright. But Jesus and the Apostles disagree (see further Scriptural evidences here).

Four Fatal Flaws

First, these declarations diminish God by reducing Him to a cosmic vending machine. Biblical Christianity isn’t all about material prosperity. True biblical faith comes to God to get God, not things. Genuine saving faith says: “God is more precious to me than all the gold and silver the world can offer. He is my greatest treasure. Even if I have God and nothing else, that is more than enough” (Psalm 73:25-26). The ‘name-it-and-claim-it’ rhetoric treats God as a genie dispensing wishes. When those wishes don’t materialise, He becomes unattractive to us. This diminishes rather than glorifies God.

Second, suffering reminds us that this world is not our home. Suffering—bodily suffering in the form of sickness included— reminds us that we live in a fallen world; that this world is not our final destination. We are merely passing through, headed for “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:10, 16).

Imagine being on the Titanic after it struck the iceberg. Knowing rescue ships were en route, would you spend your remaining time hoarding luggage other passengers were discarding? We live in a world under judgment (1 John 2:17). Christ calls us to store treasures in heaven—the only treasure that endures (Matthew 6:19-21).

Third, annual declarations disregard God’s sovereignty. It may be God’s will that we suffer bodily for His glory (consider the man born blind in John 9) or remain unmarried. We may lose employment due to faithfulness, or experience seasons of material lack—all within God’s providence. While He may bless us with abundance, He may equally ordain that we glorify Him through scarcity, as Paul testified: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11-12). Even our deaths can glorify God, if He so wills it (John 21:19).

Fourth, and most critically, biblical Christianity never promises instant spiritual growth. Spiritual maturity develops through daily faithfulness, not prophetic declaration. It requires consistent practice of the spiritual disciplines (Philippians 2:12-13).

This, in my opinion, may be the gravest danger of living by annual prophecies: they don’t place a premium on investment in the spiritual disciplines and simply representing Jesus well to others (Philippians 1:27). Rather than prophesying sudden spiritual growth, believers should be taught to seek God daily through His Word and prayer. This is God’s appointed means of conforming us to Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18), and this is how believers throughout history have effectively witnessed (Acts 2:42-47). No amount of ‘prophetic declarations’ can produce instantaneous maturity.

Rosy Christianity is not a potent witness. Joy amid suffering and daily faithfulness is what authenticates genuine faith. Anyone can profess love for God when circumstances favour them. But if money, employment, health, and loved ones were all stripped away—would God still be enough?

Conclusion

Rather than living on declarations, resolve this year to faithfully represent Christ wherever you are, in whatever circumstances you face. Commit to daily growth through disciplined Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with believers. May Habakkuk’s confession be ours, as we face the year ahead, uncertain of what awaits us but trusting in the One who holds the future:

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.“ (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

The post Are New Year’s Declarations Biblical? appeared first on TGN.

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Proverbs 16:4

Introduction

How has God ordained the very fabric of reality? What does it truly mean for God to be God? Is He merely a distant observer, passively watching history unfold? Or is He, as Scripture declares, the sovereign Lord who upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3)?

Far from being aloof or detached, the living God is intimately involved in the moment-by-moment unfolding of time itself. Every atom, every event, every decision, and every heartbeat exist within the bounds of His sovereign decree. To be God is not simply to possess power in potential, but to exercise perfect, purposeful authority over all creation—unceasingly, wisely, and lovingly.

The doctrine of divine sovereignty—God’s absolute rule over all things—strikes at the very heart of who God is. A faithful understanding of this truth deepens our awe, cultivates humble faith, resolves false dilemmas, and offers profound comfort in trials. One of the clearest ways Scripture reveals this sovereignty is through the doctrine of Compatibilism: the teaching that God’s complete sovereignty coexists with genuine human responsibility. God ordains all that comes to pass, including voluntary human decisions, yet without violating our agency or becoming the author of sin.

Agency, in this article, refers to the capacity of a person to make meaningful choices and act according to their own will. It means that we are moral agents—thinking, willing, and acting in ways for which we are genuinely accountable.

Simply put, we act freely as we act in accordance with our desires and nature. Yet, due to the Fall, our desires and nature have been marred by sin. Left to ourselves, we willingly choose what is contrary to God, not because we are forced to, but because we desire it. Thus, we are morally responsible for our sin, even as our choices reveal our corrupted nature.

Scripture teaches that God ordains all that comes to pass—including the voluntary actions of moral agents—while at the same time holding humans genuinely responsible for their choices. Compatibilism helps us grasp how God’s exhaustive sovereignty and human responsibility are not in conflict, but mysteriously and magnificently held together in the reality of divine providence.

This article seeks to unpack this profound truth and invite worshipful reflection on God’s sovereign wisdom.

Scriptural Foundation

Several key passages consistently arise in discussions of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. One of the most profound is found in the life of Joseph, particularly in Genesis 50:20. Joseph’s brothers, driven by jealousy, sold him into slavery and left him for dead. Years later, when famine sweeps across the Middle East, those same brothers unknowingly come before Joseph—now elevated to a position of great authority in Egypt. In that moment, Joseph confronts them not with vengeance, but with theological clarity and grace. He declares:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

This single verse captures the very essence of Compatibilism. Joseph acknowledges the real moral evil his brothers committed—they intended harm. Yet he simultaneously affirms that God was sovereignly at work through their evil intentions, orchestrating it all for a greater redemptive purpose. Evil and good operated simultaneously, but God’s sovereign design was not thwarted—it was fulfilled.

Another striking example appears in the Exodus narrative, particularly in the account of Pharaoh’s hardened heart. God sends Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. But for Pharaoh, releasing Israel meant losing a vast labor force essential to Egypt’s economy and power. His refusal was deeply self-interested—and yet, it became the very stage on which God’s redemptive purposes were displayed. This passage illustrates the dual agency at the heart of Compatibilism.

On the one hand, we read: “The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh.” (Exodus 9:12). And yet, just prior: “When Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” (Exodus 8:15).

Both are true: Pharaoh freely chose to resist God, and God sovereignly ordained that resistance. His will was accomplished through Pharaoh’s willful rebellion. This is not a contradiction, but a mystery. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility operate simultaneously.

The wisdom literature reinforces this same theological tension. Proverbs 21:1 declares: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” And yet human agency is not denied. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

In Pharaoh, we see a man acting freely according to his sinful desires—and a God who is neither passive nor reactive, but directing all of history to magnify His power and glory. God’s hardening of Pharaoh is a judicial act—just, purposeful, and entirely under His control. His sovereignty is exhaustive—ruling over kings and peasants, believers and unbelievers—without destroying human agency.

The Apostle Paul expands this episode’s theological significance in Romans 9:

“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.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (Romans 9:17–18)

Pharaoh’s rise and fall were not accidental but divinely ordained to display God’s glory. Yet Paul makes it clear that God’s hardening is not arbitrary or unjust. In light of Romans 1, it is better understood as a judicial handing over—God withholding restraining grace and allowing Pharaoh to fully act according to his already corrupt desires.

As Paul writes in Romans 1:

“God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)

This shows that humanity, apart from grace, is already hostile to God (Romans 8:7). God’s act of hardening is not the injection of new evil, but the withdrawal of restraint. He gives sinners over to what they already desire.

Far from undermining divine justice, this doctrine magnifies it. God’s mercy is never owed. His justice is never compromised. Through both mercy and hardening, God displays His perfect righteousness, working all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

Compatibilism in Redemptive History

A powerful example of Compatibilism is found in the Book of Job, where the narrative pulls back the curtain on spiritual realities and shows that even Satan operates under divine authority. In Job 1–2, Satan challenges the integrity of Job’s faith, and the Lord responds:

“Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” (Job 1:12; cf. 2:6)

Satan then afflicts Job—destroying his possessions, killing his children, and striking him with loathsome disease. Yet the narrator leaves no room for misunderstanding: these calamities ultimately come by God’s sovereign permission and purpose. For instance, the fire that consumed Job’s flocks is described as “the fire of God” falling from heaven (Job 1:16), and the wind that crushed his children is attributed to God’s control over nature (Job 1:19). In response to these tragedies, Job does not say, “The Lord allowed Satan to take away,” but instead declares: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). The inspired author adds: “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:22).

This confirms that it was not sinful or incorrect for Job to trace his suffering to the hand of God, even though Satan was the immediate agent of harm. God’s sovereignty encompasses even the actions of evil beings, yet He remains pure and just in all His ways. For the believer, Job’s example affirms that suffering never lies outside of God’s Fatherly hand, even when its causes are invisible or painful.

This same pattern of divine governance—even over malevolent actors—appears throughout Scripture. Consider the climactic vision in Revelation 17:17, where God’s sovereign orchestration of evil is once again made explicit. Concerning the beast and the ten kings aligned with him, John writes:

“For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.”

Even in the final outworking of human rebellion and satanic activity, God is not reacting—He is ruling. Every power, every ruler, every evil force is ultimately subordinate to His eternal decree and providential plan. These passages underscore a crucial truth: God is never the author of sin, but He governs even sinful actions for His righteous ends.

Another powerful demonstration of Compatibilism is seen in the lives of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel and Cyrus in Isaiah. Both kings acted freely, yet their decisions were clearly ordained by God to fulfill His purposes.

Nebuchadnezzar, though proud and self-exalting, was used by God to bring judgment on Judah. After being humbled, he confesses concerning God,

“He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35)

He was held accountable for his arrogance, yet his reign unfolded precisely as God had decreed.

Cyrus, a pagan king, is called “My shepherd” and “My anointed” by God (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). Though he did not know the Lord, God raised him up to decree Israel’s return from exile:

“I name you, though you do not know Me… that people may know… there is none besides Me.” (Isaiah 45:4–6)

Both of these kings made real decisions, but their roles were appointed by God—clear illustrations that divine sovereignty and human agency coexist without contradiction. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was used in judgment, so Cyrus was raised up for restoration. In both cases, God’s purposes were accomplished through the free and voluntary actions of men.

God’s Sovereignty in Seeming Chaos

One of the most compelling—and even poetic—demonstrations of God’s absolute sovereignty is found in the account of King Ahab’s death in battle, recorded in 1 Kings 22. After hearing the true prophecy of Micaiah foretelling his demise, Ahab sought to outmaneuver God’s decree by disguising himself on the battlefield. He had King Jehoshaphat remain in royal garments, effectively turning him into a decoy to draw enemy attention. From a human perspective, it appeared that Ahab’s plan might succeed. But Scripture recounts:

“But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.” (1 Kings 22:34)

A “random” arrow—fired without aim, without target, without knowledge—found the single vulnerable gap in the king’s armor. What seemed like chance was, in fact, divine precision. The purposes of God cannot be thwarted by human cunning, disguise, or defiance.

This moment powerfully illustrates that nothing is truly random in God’s world. What appears to be coincidence or luck is often the visible edge of God’s hidden providence. As Proverbs 16:33 declares:

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

Even the roll of the dice, the drawing of lots, or the loosing of an arrow falls under the sovereign direction of God. This story reminds us not only that God’s decrees come to pass, but that they do so with a detail and precision that unveil His infinite wisdom and inescapable control. Ahab tried to avoid the word of the Lord—but the word of the Lord found him.

The Climactic Moment: The Cross of Christ

With all this said, no event captures the profound mystery and power of Compatibilism more vividly than the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the magnum opus of divine sovereignty and human responsibility—where both operate in full force, without contradiction or compromise.

Jesus Himself made clear that His suffering and death were not accidental but divinely ordained. In Mark 8:31 we read:

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He said this plainly.”

This was no unforeseen tragedy. It was the fulfilment of what had long been foretold—most strikingly in Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant is said to be “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities.” Yet even there, the prophet declares:

“It was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief.” (Isaiah 53:10)

Still, the agents of Jesus’ death—Judas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and the Roman soldiers—acted freely and wickedly. Their guilt is real, and yet their actions unfolded precisely as God had ordained. The apostle Peter declares this with clarity in Acts 2:23:

“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

Likewise, the early church prays in Acts 4:27–28:

“For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus… to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”

Here is Compatibilism in its most glorious and sobering form: God ordained the death of His Son for the redemption of sinners, and yet those who carried it out did so willingly—and were rightly held accountable. The cross was not a backup plan; it was the very center of God’s eternal purpose, foretold by the prophets and carried out by the hands of men.

At Calvary, Compatibilism is not a philosophical abstraction but the very heartbeat of redemption—the place where divine sovereignty and human guilt converge to magnify the mercy and wisdom of God.

What Am I Not Saying?

In theology, clarity often requires not only affirming what is true but also stating carefully what we do not mean. Boundaries are essential—especially here. And here is a crucial one: God is not the direct cause of evil. He may never be blamed for sin. As Scripture plainly declares,

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

So let me be clear: Compatibilism is not Determinism—the view that all events, including human choices, are necessitated by prior causes in such a way that true freedom is an illusion. Nor is it Fatalism—the belief that outcomes are fixed no matter what we do, rendering human choices pointless.

Many, upon hearing that “God is sovereign over all things, even our choices,” wrongly assume this must mean:

• That God causes sin directly
• That human freedom is an illusion
• That moral responsibility is meaningless
• That prayer, evangelism, and decision-making are futile

But Scripture teaches none of these things. Compatibilism affirms both God’s complete sovereignty and our genuine moral responsibility. This is not philosophical speculation—it is the plain teaching of the Word of God.

Here are some crucial clarifications:

God Is Not the Author of Sin (James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Habakkuk 1:13)

God never sins, nor does He tempt anyone to sin. His holiness is absolute and untarnished.

Human Choices Are Real and Morally Significant (Romans 2:6; Proverbs 16:9)

We make real decisions for which we are held accountable. Our motives, intentions, and actions matter deeply.

God Ordains Through Secondary Causes (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23)

God works through means—including human decisions—to accomplish His purposes, without overriding our moral agency.

Sovereignty Is Not Fatalism (1 Corinthians 15:58)

God’s control does not nullify human responsibility. Rather, it gives meaning and confidence to our efforts, knowing our labor is not in vain.

Mystery, Not Contradiction (Romans 11:33)

There is real mystery in how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility coexist—but it is not illogical. It reflects the infinite wisdom of God.

We are not puppets. We are image-bearers of the Triune God, fearfully and wonderfully made. Our thoughts, choices, and actions truly matter. And yet, our Creator and Father is enthroned above all, orchestrating all things according to His perfect will— to the praise of His glorious grace.

Why Is This So Hard?

There are several reasons why this doctrine can be difficult to accept. First, we often come to Scripture with deeply ingrained presuppositions—shaped by culture, emotion, and human reason. We expect God to operate according to our categories of logic or fairness. But Compatibilism confronts us with mystery—truths that stretch beyond our intellectual grasp and challenge our assumptions about freedom, responsibility, and divine justice.

We must recognize that we are dealing with the deep things of God. As Moses reminded Israel,

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us…” (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Our hearts long for airtight explanations, but the Bible presents us with glorious truths that surpass our comprehension. As Paul exclaims,

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!” (Romans 11:33)

Another major obstacle is our natural desire for autonomy. We want to be the captains of our own souls. Compatibilism humbles us by reminding us that we are not ultimately in control. Many assume that real responsibility requires total independence. But biblically, freedom is not the absence of God’s sovereignty—it is the ability to act according to our desires, even as those desires are encompassed within God’s providential plan (Proverbs 16:9).

Perhaps the greatest struggle comes when we try to reconcile God’s sovereignty with personal suffering and the existence of evil. It can feel emotionally impossible to believe that God is in control when pain seems purposeless. And yet the Bible does not shy away from this tension. It gently, but firmly, calls us to trust in God’s redemptive purposes—even when they are hidden. As Joseph declared to his brothers,

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

Further Reading

• Augustine of Hippo – On the Free Choice of the Will, The City of God, Enchiridion
• Martin Luther – The Bondage of the Will
• John Calvin – Institutes of the Christian Religion
• Westminster Confession of Faith
• Jonathan Edwards – Freedom of the Will
• R.C. Sproul – Chosen by God, What is Reformed Theology?
• D.A. Carson – Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
• J.I. Packer – Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
• John Piper – The Pleasures of God, Providence

The post Sovereign and Free: Understanding Compatibilism appeared first on TGN.

This article aims to equip Christians with a Biblical understanding of God’s Will and Providence. These two concepts are intricately intertwined yet denote distinct facets of God’s engagement with His creation. If you’ve ever asked, “What is God’s will for my life?” this article is for you.

Providence

The Providence of God refers to the means by which God governs and sustains His Creation. Historically, this has been subdivided into three categories: Preservation, Concurrence, and Government. Let’s consider each briefly:

Preservation: The natural world and all living beings are sustained and maintained through God’s preservation without exception. Scripture says that our Lord Jesus Christ upholds the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). This means that every aspect of creation, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy, is continuously upheld by God’s sustaining power (Colossians 1:17, Acts 17:28).

Concurrence: All things in heaven and on earth unfold under the direct involvement of the Triune God toward His ultimate purpose. God is not distant; rather, He actively guides and directs according to His will (Psalm 33:10-11, Proverbs 16:9, Acts 2:23). This involvement, known as concurrence, indicates that God cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to achieve His purposes.

Government: All of time belongs to God in a very personal sense. He delicately orchestrates the events of history to bring about His divine plan (Daniel 4:35, 1 Timothy 6:15, Matthew 28:18). This governance means that God is sovereign over all events, ensuring that everything aligns with His ultimate plan and purpose.

God is Sovereign in a way that we are unable to comprehend fully. This means we can truly entrust ourselves to the God of the universe as our Good Father. I urge you to grow in dependence on Him in all facets of life. Pray ceaselessly, knowing that He can accomplish far more than we can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). This is also a call for stewardship of what God has given you. Your marriage, career and health are not your own. In times of uncertainty or difficulty, understanding God’s Providence offers hope and assurance. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

The Will of God

Understanding the Will of God can be quite intricate. You may have encountered this concept in your Bible reading and pondered its meaning. What actions should we take in response? How can we ensure alignment with it? These and similar questions may arise in your contemplation. Christians have traditionally understood the Will of God in two ways: God’s will of Decree and God’s will of Command.

God’s will of Decree refers to God’s eternal plan and purpose, which He has determined from before the foundation of the world (Isaiah 46:9-10). It encompasses everything that happens, including both good and evil events, as ultimately being within God’s sovereign control (Isaiah 45:5-7; Amos 3:6; Romans 8:28). This aspect of God’s will is often considered “hidden” because humans cannot fully understand or predict it (Deuteronomy 29:29).

God’s will of Command refers to God’s commandments and instructions given to humanity, as revealed in the Scriptures. It encompasses moral laws and teachings that God expects humans to follow (Exodus 20:1-17). Unlike the will of Decree, humans can know and understand the preceptive will, which guides their behaviour and decision-making (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God’s will is not a target you can somehow miss. You can, or rather, you have the ability to disobey God’s will of Command. But you cannot escape his will of Decree. So, the fact that you disobeyed God at one juncture in no way means you’re confined to a life that’s only God’s second-best. Yes, there are consequences for sin and foolishness—but even they only operate within God’s great, eternal, sovereign will and plan.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:105

So, what am I to do with all these choices?

God is sovereign over all things and He has clearly revealed His will in Scripture. So, how are we to live in light of this reality? As Charles Spurgeon famously said, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly.”  It’s crucial to immerse ourselves in Scripture—to read, sing, see, and pray it. By understanding what God has clearly revealed in His Word, we gain insight into His will even in matters that may seem less clear.

We understand the biblical directive to marry in the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:14) and the teachings regarding female eldership (1 Timothy 2:11-12). However, the Bible may not offer specific directives regarding career choices or purchasing a car. Yet, passages on stewardship and integrity in the workplace remind us to work diligently as unto the Lord. So, how should we navigate life’s decisions in light of these principles?

First, God’s will for your life is that you obey Him. The Lord Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me” (John 14:21). It’s a fundamental principle that God will never lead us to decisions that contradict His Word. This principle may seem straightforward, yet it’s surprising how often Christians find themselves in challenging situations, especially in areas like dating. Despite our best intentions, it’s easy to veer off course when our desires or emotions overshadow Biblical wisdom. This underscores the importance of aligning our choices with God’s commands, particularly in matters as significant as relationships, where the temptation to compromise can be strong. Remember to pursue wisdom. Listen to Job 28:28, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” Obey God in the places you can see clearly, and he will give you the wisdom to discern obedience in places that may be less clear. Conversely, if you refuse to obey commands clearly revealed in Scripture, perhaps you shouldn’t be so surprised that God’s will seems so fuzzy and unclear in other areas that you don’t have specific commands.

Secondly, it’s clear from 1 Thessalonians 4:3 that God’s will for us is holiness: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour…” Now, is Paul illustrating God’s will of Decree or His will of Command here? The answer is both. God commands us to pursue sanctification, aligning with His will for us to obey. However, He also decrees that those in Christ will inevitably be sanctified. Consider Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Will of Command), “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Will of Decree). If you’re truly a Christian, holiness will be evident in your life. While this transformation may not be completed in this life, progress will undoubtedly be made. If you see no evidence of holiness in your life, it’s appropriate to question your faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Ultimately, it is God’s will that our Lord Jesus Christ is exalted in all things. In Ephesians 1:5-10 we read:

“In love, he predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ according to his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

In this passage, we understand that God’s will is manifested foremost in our adoption as sons and daughters, culminating ultimately in His grand purpose of uniting all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. What, then, constitutes God’s will? It is the exaltation of Christ.

Conclusion

Consider this insightful passage from Chapter 8 of Kevin DeYoung’s book “Just Do Something,”¹ which encapsulates the core ideas discussed so far,

Simply put, God’s will is your growth in Christlikeness. God promises to work all things together for our good so that we might be conformed to the image of his Son. And the degree to which this sounds like a lame promise is the degree to which we prefer the stones and scorpions of this world to the true bread from heaven. God never assures us of health, success, or ease. But He promises us something even better: To make us loving, pure and humble like Christ. In short, God’s will is that you and I get happy and holy in Jesus…The only chains God wants us to wear are the chains of righteousness—not the chains of hopeless subjectivism, not the shackles of risk-free living, not the fetters of horoscope decision making—just the chains befitting a bond servant of Christ Jesus. Die to self. Live for Christ. And then do what you want and go where you want, for God’s glory.

Notes

1. Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will

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