Expert: Phillip Senn - 5/5/2006

Question
The concept of perfect and permissive will of God. is this biblical and if so, bible references please. What are your own views on this.

Answer
wah,

Certainly there is a perfect will of God. That will of God is actually described with other adjectives in the same verse (Romans 12:2). "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."

There is also a permissive will of God, although it is not described in that manner in Scripture. Certainly we know that it is not God's perfect will that man sin, yet God, as Sovereign of the universe, allows man to make those choices that bring about sin against a Holy God. We also know that the Scriptures are clear in 2 Peter 3:9 that "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." We also know that not all men will be saved, rather many there will be that go the broad way to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

We know that man does the will of God when he trusts in Christ Jesus, the Son of God. That trust (faith) in Christ Jesus is for salvation. There are other things that, after a person comes to faith in Christ, God "wills" for them. The Scripture says that our sanctification is God's will. We certainly have much room before we would consider ourselves to be completely set apart (which is what sanctification is defined as) for God. Much of what we can tangibly see lets us know of God's permissive will. But we are called upon to prove what is that GOOD, and ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT will of God.

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With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn