Understanding God's Will Today

God's Will in the Dispensation of Grace

Key Scripture

"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." - Ephesians 1:8-9

Introduction

In this present Dispensation of Grace, God has fully revealed His will through the Mystery program given to Paul. Some mistakenly use certain passages from Paul's writings to suggest that God's will remains unknowable today. For example, they quote only the first part of 1 Corinthians 2:16, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord?" while ignoring the crucial second half that declares "But we have the mind of Christ."

God's Will for All Mankind

Salvation Available to ALL

• God desires ALL people to be saved without exception (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

• Includes everyone regardless of past or present sins:

  • Murderers

  • Thieves

  • Adulterers

  • All sinners without distinction

• No one is beyond the reach of God's grace

• Paul himself as pattern: "chief of sinners" saved (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Knowledge of the Truth

• God wants all to come unto knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4)

• Mystery program to be preached to everyone

• No difference between Jew and Greek (Romans 10:12)

• All can receive the gospel of grace

The Mystery Revealed

Christ in You

• The mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27)

• Holy Spirit indwelling every believer

• Fellowship of the mystery (Ephesians 3:9)

• Complete union with Christ

Living Christ's Life

• "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20)

• Your life is not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

• Hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

• Walking worthy of the vocation (Ephesians 4:1)

God's Will for Christian Living

Identity in Christ

• Eternally sanctified (set apart) in Christ Jesus by grace through faith (1 Corinthians 1:2)

• Permanently members of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)

• Forever a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• Our daily walk should reflect our secure position (NOT for salvation)

• Salvation is completely by grace, never by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Living According to Position (Not For Salvation)

• Our eternal position is secured by grace through faith alone

• Paul is our pattern, receiving his doctrine directly from Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:16)

• "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1)

• Daily walk as temples of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19)

• Serving as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

• Living epistles known and read of all men (2 Corinthians 3:2)

• Walking worthy is about gratitude and witness, never about maintaining salvation

• Following Paul's pattern shows others Christ's longsuffering and grace (1 Timothy 1:16)

What God's Will Does NOT Include

• Personal career choices

• Business decisions

• Educational goals

• Geographic location

• Material success

• Choice of spouse

The Universal Nature of God's Will

• Same will for every member of the Body of Christ

• Not individualized by preference

• Mystery truths apply equally to all

• Focus on God's purpose in Christ

Supporting Scriptures

• Romans 6:1-2 - New life in Christ

• Galatians 2:20 - Christ living in believer

• Philippians 1:21 - To live is Christ

• Colossians 3:1-4 - Life hid with Christ

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - God's will is sanctification

• Ephesians 3:8-9 - Make all men see fellowship of mystery

#MidActsRightDivision #GraceTeaching #GospelOfGrace #PaulsGospel #BodyOfChrist #MysteryProgram #GraceDispensation #PaulineDoctrine #BibleStudy #RightlyDividing #DispensationalTruth #GodsWill #PaulsDoctrine #PaulEpistles #GraceAndTruth #MysteryRevealed #DispensationOfGrace #RightDivision #Doctrine #Bible