Unacknowledged Conformity to God's Will in Human Leaders
Unacknowledged Conformity to God's Will in Human Leaders
Human leaders, whether in the church or in secular society, often act in ways that unwittingly conform to God's will. This phenomenon is rooted in biblical teachings and has been explored by various Christian traditions.
The concept of conformity to God's will is closely tied to the idea of obedience. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, obedience to God is commanded in scripture and is a characteristic of saints [2]. However, the question arises as to whether human leaders can unconsciously fulfill God's purposes. The biblical account suggests that yes, they can. For instance, in Romans 1:28, it is written that God gave people over to a debased mind, indicating that He can work through human decisions, even when they are not intentionally directed towards Him [1].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 5:15, highlights the distinction between the secret will of God and His revealed will. The secret will refers to God's sovereign purposes, which are not always apparent to humans, while the revealed will is expressed through scripture and commands [3]. Human leaders may unwittingly conform to God's secret will, even if they are not obedient to His revealed will.
In the view of Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, God's counsels and decrees are inscrutable, and humans cannot fully comprehend them [4]. This perspective underscores the idea that human leaders may not always be aware of how their actions align with God's will. For example, in Philippians 2:11, it is written that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, indicating a universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, even among those who may not intentionally be submitting to it [5].
The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House's commentary on Mark 10:42, notes that the world's understanding of leadership is often at odds with Jesus' teachings on servanthood [7]. Nevertheless, God's sovereignty can work through human leaders, regardless of their intentions or understanding of their role.
In Isaiah 64:4, it is written that God has prepared things for those who love Him that are beyond human comprehension [6]. This verse highlights the mysterious nature of God's workings and suggests that human leaders may be used to fulfill God's purposes, even if they are not aware of it.
The biblical account also suggests that human leaders can be used by God to accomplish His purposes, even when they are not intentionally obedient to Him. For instance, in Romans 1:19, it is written that there are things that can be known about God through natural revelation, but this knowledge is often suppressed [8].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 1:28 (LEB) — And just as they did not see fit ⌞to recognize God⌟, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- 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, ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 11:34: For who hath known the mind of the Lord? - Who can pretend to penetrate the counsels of God, or fathom the reasons of his conduct? His designs and his counsels are like himself, infinite; and, consequently, inscrutable. It is strange that, with such a scripture as this before their eyes, men should sit down and coolly and positively write about counsels and decrees of God formed from all eternity, of which they speak with as much confidence and decision as if they had formed a part of the council of the Most High, and had been with him in the beginning of his ways!”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 2:11: And that every tongue should confess - That all those before mentioned should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, or absolute governor, and thus glorify God the Father, who has exalted this human nature to this state of ineffable glory, in virtue of its passion, death, resurrection, and the atonement which it has made, by which so many attributes of the Divine nature have become illustrated, the Divine law magnified and made honorable, and an eternal glory provided for man. Others by things in heaven understand the holy angels; by things on earth, human bein”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 64:4: For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear,.... Not only the things unexpected, undesired, and undeserved, had been done for the Lord's people of old; but there were other things, unheard of and unseen, which God, in his secret counsels, had prepared for them; and for which reason his appearance in his providential dispensations was the more to be desired and entreated. The Apostle Paul has cited this passage in Co1 2:9 and applied it to Gospel times, and to evangelical truths, which are not discoverable by the light of nature; h”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:42: 10:42-44 The unbelieving world (the rulers in this world) thinks that leadership means lording it over others. Just as Jesus’ role as Messiah and Son of God meant suffering and death (8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34, 45), being his follower involves serving others, not ruling over them (9:35; John 10:11).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:19: Because that which may be known of God,.... There are some things which could not be known of God by the light of nature; as a trinity of persons in the Godhead; the knowledge of God in Christ as Mediator; the God-man and Mediator Jesus Christ; his incarnation, sufferings, death, and resurrection; the will of God to save sinners by a crucified Jesus; the several peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, particularly the resurrection of the dead, and the manner of worshipping of God with acceptance: but then there are some things which may be known of God, without a revelation”