God’s will is that which He desires, decrees, or intends to happen. God’s will is not arbitrary; it derives from His holy and loving character and serves to bring about His purposes for the world He created.
The apostle Paul said, “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). God invites you to join Him as He works in and around your life to accomplish His purposes. Scripture affirms that a mark of spiritual maturity is the desire to align your will with God’s purposes.
"20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 13:20-21 CSB
Jesus taught His disciples to pray like this:
"9 Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
your name be honored as holy.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven."Matthew 6:9-10 CSB
God’s will and purposes are expressed in Scripture. Read the passages in the margin and identify God’s purposes.
God desires every believer to have the same character qualities as His Son Jesus.
"29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified."
Romans 8:29-30 CSB
He has good works He has prepared for us to accomplish.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10 CSB
God also intends for every person to one day acknowledge Christ as Lord.
"For it is written,
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to me,
and every tongue will give praise to God."Romans 14:11 CSB
"10 So that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."Philippians 2:10-11 CSB
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9 CSB
God is at work each day, drawing people into His eternal purposes on earth.
"Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also."
John 5:17 CSB
Do you see God at work around you? Do you recognize God’s purposes for your family, co-workers, church, or the people you encounter each day at the gym or grocery store? God’s purposes are not just for individuals but for communities as well.
As God gathers His people into churches, He invites and commissions these communities of believers to be on mission with Him. True flourishing comes when you align your life with God. We often become preoccupied with accomplishing our own goals rather than discovering how God wants to achieve His purposes in and through us. This lifelong pursuit is a journey that will lead you to spiritual maturity.
The greatest example of this was Jesus Himself who, when facing crucifixion, prayed:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42 CSB