WHEN GOD EXERCISED HIS WILL - PART 3

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023

WHEN GOD EXERCISED HIS WILL - PART 3

The gospel of grace was represented and born under the image of prophetic words from old Testament prophets who spoke according to God's will, ahead of fulfillment. In other words, in their day, they prophesied the will of God which would happen in the near future, just as God desired to exercise it.

Reference: James 1:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB) "In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."

How does God exercise His will? He speaks through His prophets and then brings it to pass at the very appointed time. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV) reads, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." You can see that God designs to express His will, firstly, by prophetic utterances, and then the fulfillment, at the fullness of time. This is exactly what He planned for us in Christ. As we meditate on the Word, declare it, and speak about it, not as ordinary human words, but words backed up with power, we are bound to see the manifestation in our world, in accordance with the emphatic description of our utterances.

Now here is what God did for us in Christ, in line with His perfect will: Ephesians 1:7-11 (AMP) reads, "In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight] He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will." Beloved, if I begin to expatiate or dilate on the full interpretation of this Scriptural composition, I will not conclude "Part 3" today, because the context of the verse-making in relation to our topic is remarkably vast.

Firstly, God made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, with regard to the fulfillment of the times. To simplify this statement, How did He exercise this will? Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) says, "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons." Secondly, God will still exercise His will at the end of history, the climax of the ages - by bringing all things together in Christ, both things in the heavens and things on the earth. Thirdly, our destiny in Christ was as a result of God's will purposed in Christ Jesus, meaning that we were claimed by God as His own, having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to His purpose and He worked it out in agreement with the counsel and design of His will.

Since God exercises everything He plans, according to the purpose of His will, what is expected of us is to also live in conformity with the same purpose of His will. Got it? Zero wonder, Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform 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" (NIV). Stay tuned for Part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 29:11; John 6:38-40; Romans 12:2; 1 Timothy 2:3-4.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I'm grateful for your love which you demonstrated in my life by sending your Son Jesus Christ, at the fullness of time, to die for my sake. By fulfilling your perfect will for me in Christ, I bear an overwhelming testimony that I'm saved and have become your righteousness, as a new creation. Thank you Father, for exercising your will on my behalf, thereby granting me full dominion over the enemy of my soul, and against the bitter expressions of grief and sorrow that are associated with sinful nature. In the same manner, I live to function according to your perfect will for my life, and with much assurance, I exercise my faith in your Word, experiencing divine results, in Jesus' Name, Amen!