Reformed Resources on Understanding God's Sovereign Will
Understanding God's Sovereign Will in Reformed Theology
Reformed theology places a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God's will, underscoring its eternal, immutable, and sovereign nature [1]. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's counsels and purposes are described as "great", "wonderful", and "immutable", with Scripture affirming that none can disannul them [1]. This understanding is rooted in various biblical passages, including Psalm 33:11, Proverbs 19:21, and Jeremiah 4:28.
The concept of God's sovereign will is closely tied to the idea of predestination and the foreordaining of events. Scripture indicates that the sufferings and death of Christ were according to God's purpose (Acts 2:23; 4:28) [1]. Similarly, the calling and salvation of saints are also seen as being in accordance with God's sovereign will (Romans 8:28; 2 Timothy 1:9) [1].
In Reformed thought, understanding God's will is not merely about comprehending a set of abstract principles but is deeply connected to the believer's life and actions. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2 about being transformed by the renewing of the mind to test and approve God's good, pleasing, and perfect will [2]. This transformation involves aligning one's life with God's will, which is a recurring theme in Reformed theology.
The Psalmist's prayer, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God" (Psalm 143:10), reflects the heart of Reformed piety, which seeks to understand and follow God's will [3]. This pursuit is not limited to personal piety but extends to understanding God's grand narrative of salvation. The unity of God's will across the old and new covenants is highlighted in the song of Moses and the Lamb in Revelation 15:3-4, signifying God's consistent sovereignty and justice [5].
Reformed resources, such as John Gill's commentary on Ephesians, emphasize the distinction between the secret will of God and the revealed will of God. The secret will refers to God's sovereign purposes, which are not fully comprehensible to humans until they are fulfilled, while the revealed will is understood through Scripture and guides believers in their actions [6].
The practical outworking of understanding God's sovereign will involves living a life that is not conformed to the world but is transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) [2]. It includes repentance from sin, faith in God, and following Jesus, as noted in Mark 3:35 [4]. Believers are encouraged to be wise in understanding the will of the Lord, using their time wisely, and living in a manner that is pleasing to God (Ephesians 5:15-17) [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Counsels and Purposes of God, The — Are great -- Jer 32:19. Are wonderful -- Isa 28:29. Are immutable -- Ps 33:11; Pr 19:21; Jer 4:28; Ro 9:11; Heb 6:17. Are sovereign -- Isa 40:13,14; Da 4:35. Are eternal -- Eph 3:11. Are faithfulness and truth -- Isa 25:1. None can disannul -- Isa 14:27. Shall be performed -- Isa 14:24; 46:11. The sufferings and death of Christ were according to -- Ac 2:23; 4:28. Saints called and save according to -- Ro 8:28; 2Ti 1:9. The union of all saints in Christ, is according to -- Eph 1:9,10. The works of God according to -- Eph 1:11. Shoul”
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (BSB) — Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
- Psalms “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. -- Psalms 143:10”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 3:35: 3:35 Doing God’s will includes repentance from sin, faith in God, and following Jesus (1:15, 18, 20).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 15:3: 15:3-4 The song of Moses and the Lamb signifies that God’s will is united in the old and new covenants. 15:3 The Lord God, the Almighty (see also 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:7; 19:6; 21:22): For persecuted Christians, the message that God is all-powerful provides great comfort and security. • The truth that God is also just and true is the foundation of human integrity in the midst of a confused, unjust, and dishonest world. • God is the supreme, universal King of the nations, not a localized deity attached to one nation or to a human monarch with limited authority.”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:15: Wherefore be ye not unwise,.... No one would be thought to be unwise, but such are, who do not redeem time, and are ignorant of the will of the Lord; believers should not act the unwise part, neither in their talk, nor in their walk and conversation, nor in their use of time: but understanding what the will of the Lord is; or "of God", as read the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions: there is the secret will of God, which is the rule of all his proceedings; and is unknown to men, till facts make it appear; this is always fulfilled, ”