In this present dispensation of grace, understanding God's relationship to our circumstances and how He communicates with the Body of Christ requires careful consideration through the lens of right division. The Apostle Paul, our apostle for today, provides crucial insight into these interconnected matters.
The scripture clearly establishes God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:11:
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will"
This verse demonstrates that God has an overarching purpose that He is working out according to His will. However, this must be balanced with other revelations given to Paul regarding how God operates in this present dispensation.
In Time Past, under the prophecy program, God dealt with Israel through:
Direct intervention in circumstances
Direct guidance through pillars of cloud and fire
Immediate judgment for disobedience
Physical blessings and cursings based on covenant obedience
Dreams and visions
Signs and wonders
Direct verbal communication
Angels
Circumstances (weather, military victories/defeats, etc.)
As recorded in Hebrews 1:1: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets"
Rather than controlling external circumstances, Paul emphasizes God's work in the inner man:
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13)
Paul provides this crucial insight in Romans 8:28:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"
Note that the verse doesn't say God causes all things, but that He works them together for good.
When Paul faced his own difficult circumstances (the thorn in the flesh), God's response was not to change the circumstance but to provide sufficient grace:
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Paul declares in Colossians 1:25-26: "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints"
Paul emphasizes that we walk by faith, not by sight: "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Reading circumstances would be walking by sight rather than faith in God's written word.
Our Role as Ambassadors Today The Defined Role
Official representatives: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us" (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)
Clear message given: "And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV)
Speaking in Christ's stead: "We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)
This ambassadorship:
Represents our heavenly citizenship on earth
Carries God's message of grace
Operates within His current written revelation
Functions without miraculous signs
In Paul's early ministry, we see:
Direct revelation from the Lord (Galatians 1:11-12)
Visions and revelations (2 Corinthians 12:1-4)
Miraculous signs and wonders (Romans 15:19)
In Paul's later epistles, we see a clear shift toward the sufficiency and supremacy of scripture:
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:13)
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
Paul warns against those who would emphasize experiences over doctrine:
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth...having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1,3)
In his prison epistles, Paul emphasizes spiritual maturity through knowledge of scripture:
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14)
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man" (Ephesians 4:13)
In Time Past, God spoke directly to people in various ways:
Audible voice to Adam, Noah, Abraham
Dreams to Joseph, Daniel
Signs and wonders to Israel
Angelic appearances
Direct prophecy
Through His Written Word "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16)
Through God-given understanding of Paul's words: "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (2 Timothy 2:7)
Through spiritual wisdom and enlightenment in knowing Christ: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened" (Ephesians 1:17-18)
"God Told Me" Claims of direct divine communication today often conflict with:
The completed revelation given to Paul
The sufficiency of scripture
The walk of faith, not sight
"God Called Me" While God does work in believers' lives, today this occurs through:
The written word
The Spirit giving understanding of that word
Not through audible voices or direct revelations
"God Led Me" Biblical leading today comes through:
Understanding of scripture
Renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2)
Spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)
Completed Revelation "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God" (Colossians 1:25)
Sufficient Scripture "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17)
Faith-Based Walk "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Undermines Scripture's Authority
Places subjective experience above written word
Creates confusion and uncertainty
Leads to doctrinal error
Mimics Time Past Program
Confuses Israel's program with Body of Christ
Fails to rightly divide the word
Mixes law and grace principles
Opens Door to Deception "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
Paul teaches that trials serve specific purposes in this dispensation:
To develop patience and experience (Romans 5:3-4)
To demonstrate God's grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
To prepare us for ministry to others (2 Corinthians 1:4)
While God can and does work providentially, we must be careful not to:
Seek signs in circumstances
Base doctrinal decisions on circumstances
Elevate circumstantial guidance over written scripture
Study Paul's epistles for doctrine and principles
Apply spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)
Make decisions based on scripture rather than circumstances
Trust God's providence while walking by faith
Seeking signs in circumstances
Making decisions based on "open/closed doors"
Reading providence as direct communication from God
Basing doctrine on experiences rather than scripture
Through His Word
The Spirit giving understanding of scripture
Doctrinal understanding
Practical wisdom
Through the Spirit's Inner Working "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13)
Through the Renewed Mind "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2)
While God maintains ultimate sovereignty over His creation, in this present dispensation of grace, He primarily works through His word and Spirit rather than through direct manipulation of circumstances or direct communication. He has given us His completed word through Paul and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to teach us and give us understanding, regardless of our circumstances.
As Paul testifies: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound" (Philippians 4:11-12)
The key is not to seek God's will in circumstances, experiences, or direct communication, but to understand His revealed will in Paul's epistles and to walk by faith, allowing His grace to be sufficient in whatever circumstances we face. As Paul writes: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16)