It seems like my last post struck a nerve! That’s good. I think that God’s Word, and thereby His intentions, are often manipulated to mean things He did not intend. There are many false teachings and myths that are widely believed, and this ends up eroding the faith of people who are seeking truth. After reading the last post, my good friend Bruce Ecker emailed me the following:
“Wise and helpful words, Shawn. This “God’s will” language was part and parcel of my Christian life for many years. I too consider it a “false…unbiblical” teaching that has created much anxiety and confusion for believers. I finally realized that this language portrays a kind of god that we better “please” or he will somehow punish us for straying from his pre-set path for our lives. The punishment, I suppose, would be intended to get us on the “God’s will” path again. This contradicts so many God/human interactions in Scripture because God can use/does use the unintentional negative situations we may find ourselves in or self-destructive behaviors we bring upon ourselves to bring us back to Him. It’s not fun to deal with it and often we deny our own involvement in our crises (think Jonah), but God is not limited by our decisions/attitudes or the behavior of others. In the OT, Joseph showed his deep trust in God when he told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph understood that God used the evil that was imposed on him by his brothers to save many lives. He had the long perspective. And so should we.”
Some scriptures about what God’s will IS:
“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
