Understanding God's Will: Decree vs. Command

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding God's Dual Will

The concept of God's will can be divided into two distinct aspects: the will of decree and the will of command. The will of decree refers to God's sovereign plan, which is unchangeable and certain. This includes events like predestination and the unfolding of His divine plan, as seen in passages like Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 9:19. On the other hand, the will of command involves God's instructions and commandments to humanity, which can be obeyed or disobeyed. This distinction is crucial for understanding how God's purposes are fulfilled despite human actions. Recognizing these two aspects of God's will helps us avoid confusion when we encounter situations where God's commands are not followed, yet His sovereign purposes remain unthwarted. [01:09]

"For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's sovereign plan, and how can you begin to surrender those areas to His will today?

Day 2: The Comfort of God's Sovereignty

God's sovereignty in predestination is a profound truth that provides comfort and confidence in His divine purposes. Passages like Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 9:19 highlight that God's plans are established before we exist, demonstrating His ultimate control over all things. This assurance of God's sovereignty means that nothing happens outside of His will, and His purposes will always prevail. Understanding this aspect of God's will invites us to rest in the knowledge that He is in control, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. [02:35]

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How does the knowledge of God's sovereignty change the way you view your current challenges or uncertainties?

Day 3: Trusting in the Irresistibility of God's Will

The will of decree is irresistible, as seen in Romans 9:19. God's plans cannot be thwarted, and His purposes will always come to pass. This understanding reinforces our trust in God's ultimate authority and the certainty of His divine plan. When we recognize that God's will is irresistible, we can find peace in knowing that His purposes will be fulfilled, regardless of human actions or decisions. This invites us to trust in His ultimate control and to align our lives with His sovereign will. [04:07]

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's will, and how can you begin to trust in His irresistible plan today?

Day 4: Living in Obedience to God's Commands

The will of command involves God's instructions to us, such as loving our neighbors and living holy lives. While these commands can be disobeyed, they call us to align our lives with God's revealed desires, fostering a life of obedience and devotion. Understanding the will of command invites us to actively participate in God's plan by living according to His instructions. This requires intentionality and a commitment to following His guidance in our daily lives. [07:34]

"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21, ESV)

Reflection: What specific command of God do you find challenging to obey, and what steps can you take to align your life with His will today?

Day 5: Embracing Paul's Apostolic Authority

Paul's apostleship is rooted in the will of decree, as God sovereignly chose and appointed him. This underscores the authority of his message and invites us to listen and respond to the teachings of an apostle appointed by God's sovereign will. Recognizing the divine authority behind Paul's message encourages us to take his teachings seriously and to apply them to our lives. This understanding invites us to trust in the wisdom and guidance of those whom God has appointed to lead and teach us. [10:06]

"But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone." (Galatians 1:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you better embrace the teachings of Paul and other apostles in your daily walk with Christ, and what changes might this require in your life?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into the profound concept of the "will of God" as mentioned in Ephesians 1:1-2. Understanding this phrase requires distinguishing between two types of divine will: the will of decree and the will of command. The will of decree refers to God's sovereign actions that are unchangeable and certain, such as predestination and the unfolding of His divine plan. This is evident in passages like Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 9:19, where God's will is described as irresistible and all-encompassing. On the other hand, the will of command involves God's instructions and commandments to humanity, which can be obeyed or disobeyed, as seen in texts like John 7:17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

This distinction is crucial for understanding how God operates in the world and in our lives. The will of decree assures us of God's ultimate sovereignty and the certainty of His plans, while the will of command calls us to live in obedience to His revealed desires. In Ephesians 1, when Paul refers to being an apostle "by the will of God," it is the will of decree that is in view. God sovereignly chose and appointed Paul to his role, independent of human decision or action.

Recognizing these two aspects of God's will helps us avoid confusion when we encounter situations where God's commands are not followed, yet His sovereign purposes remain unthwarted. It also underscores the authority of Paul's apostolic message, as it is rooted in God's sovereign choice. This understanding invites us to trust in God's ultimate control and to respond with obedience to His commands, knowing that His purposes will prevail.

Key Takeaways

1. **The Will of Decree vs. The Will of Command:** Understanding the difference between God's will of decree and will of command is essential. The will of decree is God's sovereign plan that is unchangeable and certain, while the will of command involves His instructions to us, which can be obeyed or disobeyed. This distinction helps us comprehend how God's purposes are fulfilled despite human actions. [01:09]
2. God's Sovereignty in Predestination: Passages like Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 9:19 highlight God's sovereign will in predestination. His plans are established before we exist, demonstrating His ultimate control over all things. This assurance of God's sovereignty provides comfort and confidence in His divine purposes. [02:35]
3. The Irresistibility of God's Will: The will of decree is irresistible, as seen in Romans 9:19. God's plans cannot be thwarted, and His purposes will always come to pass. This understanding reinforces our trust in God's ultimate authority and the certainty of His divine plan. [04:07]
4. Obedience to God's Commands: The will of command involves God's instructions to us, such as loving our neighbors and living holy lives. While these commands can be disobeyed, they call us to align our lives with God's revealed desires, fostering a life of obedience and devotion. [07:34]
5. Paul's Apostolic Authority: Paul's apostleship is rooted in the will of decree, as God sovereignly chose and appointed him. This underscores the authority of his message and invites us to listen and respond to the teachings of an apostle appointed by God's sovereign will. [10:06]
** [10:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Introduction to the Will of God
[00:34] - Distinction Between Will of Command and Will of Decree
[01:09] - Biblical Basis for the Will of Decree
[02:16] - Predestination and God's Purpose
[03:05] - God's Sovereign Counsel
[03:54] - Irresistibility of God's Will
[04:39] - Conditionality of Human Plans
[05:28] - The Scope of God's Will
[06:13] - God's Unthwartable Purpose
[07:03] - Will of Command in Scripture
[08:15] - God's Command for Sanctification
[09:10] - Obedience to God's Will
[10:06] - Paul's Apostolic Calling
[11:15] - Importance of Understanding God's Will
[12:07] - Conclusion and Call to Listen

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:1-2
Romans 9:19
1 Thessalonians 4:3

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Observation Questions:

In Ephesians 1:1-2, what does Paul mean when he says he is an apostle "by the will of God"? How does this relate to the concept of the will of decree? [00:34]
According to Romans 9:19, what is the nature of God's will as described in this passage? How does it illustrate the concept of the will of decree? [04:07]
In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, what specific command is given as part of God's will of command? How does this differ from the will of decree? [08:15]
How does the sermon describe the difference between God's will of decree and will of command? Why is this distinction important for understanding God's actions in the world? [11:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding the will of decree provide comfort and assurance in the face of life's uncertainties? What does this reveal about God's sovereignty? [03:54]
In what ways does the will of command challenge believers to live differently? How does this reflect God's desires for our lives? [07:34]
How does Paul's apostleship, as described in Ephesians 1:1-2, demonstrate the authority of his message? Why is it important to recognize this authority in the context of the sermon? [10:06]
How can the distinction between the will of decree and the will of command help believers avoid confusion when God's commands are not followed? [11:15]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand God's will in your life. How might distinguishing between the will of decree and the will of command have provided clarity? [11:15]
In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to obey God's will of command? What steps can you take to align your actions with His revealed desires? [07:34]
How can the assurance of God's sovereign will of decree impact your response to difficult situations or unanswered prayers? [03:54]
Consider the authority of Paul's message as an apostle chosen by God's will of decree. How does this influence your approach to studying and applying his teachings in your life? [10:06]
Identify a specific command from God's will of command that you struggle with. What practical steps can you take this week to work on obeying that command? [08:15]
How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's ultimate control over your life, especially when His commands seem difficult to follow? [11:15]
Think of a situation where God's will of command was not followed, yet His purposes were still fulfilled. How does this reinforce your trust in His sovereignty? [11:15]

Sermon Clips

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 so here the will of god emerges from god's divine intratrinitarian counsel causing him to work all things so this is this is the will of decree god does all things according to the council all things according to the counsel of his will nothing is frustrated in god's will god's will brings about all things that he intends to bring about. [00:03:08]

Why does he still find fault for who can resist his will so in the context god has shown that his will is in fact irresistible in one sense and so this objector is raising the question well why does he still find fault well all i'm pointing out is this is reality there is a will of decree that cannot be successfully resisted. [00:04:00]

Come now you who say to today or tomorrow this is james 4. today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town we will oh yeah we presume we know we're gonna do tomorrow spend a year there trade make a profit you do not know what tomorrow will bring you don't know you can't talk like that only god can talk like that what is your life you're a miss that appears for a little time and then vanishes instead you ought to say so what should you stay instead of saying we're going to go to such a town and spend a year there you ought to say if the lord wills we will live you'll be alive tomorrow morning if the lord wills you'll do this little thing or that little thing tomorrow if the lord wills that's why i say this is such an amazing text because this or that covers everything life is given by god's will doing this or doing that if you do anything god has willed it and that's why you can do it and that's why you should say if before you do anything this is the will of decree there's no question about your disobeying it it's done to you and for you not commanded of you. [00:04:56]

I am god and there is no other i am god and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done saying my counsel shall stand period it's going to stand nobody can stop it and i will accomplish all my purpose you cannot thwart the purpose the council that is the will of god's decree. [00:06:27]

If anyone's will anyone's will yours or mine is to do god's will he will know whether the teaching is from god or whether i'm speaking on my own authority god's will here is god's commands ten commandments and everything else that he told us to do love your neighbors yourself if your will is in sync with god's revealed will let's call this the will of command. [00:07:12]

We know that god does not listen to sinners but if anyone is a worshiper of god and does his will god listens to him that doesn't mean does everything that god plans to happen in the universe that means does what god commands to be done god's will. [00:07:51]

For this is the will of god what is the will of god the first batch of text we looked at said everything is the will of god he does all that he pleases what is it here this is the will of god your sanctification god commands you to be holy that's his will his will of command. [00:08:11]

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of god in christ jesus for you his will his command is that we be thankful if we're not thankful that will doesn't happen that is the command isn't fulfilled. [00:08:42]

Bond servants obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling with a sincere heart as you would christ not by way of eye service as men pleasers but as bond servants of christ doing the will of god from the heart so the command is obey obey do that will of god if they don't do it this will of god doesn't happen the commands are not fulfilled but we're to do the commands of god from the heart. [00:09:02]

Paul an apostle by the will of god is which of these is it is will of god here the will of decree or the will of of command it's not simply that god commanded paul or that jesus christ commanded paul to become an apostle he made him an apostle in a sovereign way here's just one illustration of that sovereign way from galatians 1. when he who had set me apart before i was born he didn't ask paul about that he chose paul he ordained paul he planned paul he willed paul to be an apostle before paul was born and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his son to me in order that i might preach him among the gentiles i did not immediately consult anyone so he he was obedient to the heavenly vision but that was all planned and effected before paul was born it was sure. [00:09:43]

If we don't know the difference between the will of decree and the will of command then every time we see the will of command frustrated in the bible we'll think that the will of god can be frustrated and that he's really not sovereign he's really not in control he really can't bring about his purposes because we haven't made the distinction between the two uses this use can be frustrated by man this use can't this is decree it always comes to pass this is commanded it is sometimes broken if you don't know the difference you'll be endlessly confused when you see certain things absolutely called the will of god and they they cannot feel fail and other things called the will of god which do fail. [00:11:04]

This man who is about to talk to us in six chapters of glorious exalted amazing truth is put in the position of an authoritative apostle by a sovereign work of god and we should bow before the god of this sovereignty and we should listen to his authorized spokesman. [00:12:07]

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Understanding God's Will: Decree vs. Command

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding God's Dual Will

Day 2: The Comfort of God's Sovereignty

Day 3: Trusting in the Irresistibility of God's Will

Day 4: Living in Obedience to God's Commands

Day 5: Embracing Paul's Apostolic Authority

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding God's Will: Decree vs. Command

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