God's Will vs God's Desire

[NetChaplain]

Everything that transpires in life is supposed to occur, otherwise it wouldn't happen, because nothing happens without God's foreknowledge and Him allowing it to come to pass!

Everyone does God's will, but most do not to do His desires! Even though it has always been that God “desires all men to be saved” (1Ti 2:4; 2Pe 3:9), His will—or way—is that only those who “choose life . . . “will live” (Deu 30:19). Thus, everyone does God's will, but most choose not to do His desires!

We know that our loving God does everything “according to His good pleasure” (Eph 1:9), and that prior to creation, He knew “many” (that is, most) of mankind would choose “the way that leads to destruction,” and that “few” (in comparison to the many) would choose “the way which leads unto life” (Mat 7:13, 14 – becoming more obvious all the time).

I would think it doubtless to conceive that He knew there would be great worth in gaining the “few,” as evidenced by the “joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents” (Luk 15:10).

 

[NetChaplain]

From the input I’ve received in this thread I realize that I need to better explain what I mean by “Everyone does God's will.” Everyone ends in subjection to God concerning His will for believers and unbelievers. For example, it’s His will (but not His desire) that the latter receive eternal death, and the prior eternal life.

Sorry for not being clear enough and thanks for all who are participating in this thread. It helped me see that I needed to be more explanatory of what I am attempting to share. The articles intent is to reflect on His sovereign control, like He knew man would partake of the “Tree” even when He was commanding not to, because it was obviously the way God desired to begin teaching us.

God bless us everyone, and God be blessed!

 

[JRT]

"God's desire"

The word "desire" sticks out for me because it implies a want or a need. --- a deficiency. Does God have a deficiency? When we conceive of God in an anthropomorphic way we end up with problems like this.

 

[NetChaplain]

"God's desire"

The word "desire" sticks out for me because it implies a want or a need. --- a deficiency. Does God have a deficiency? When we conceive of God in an anthropomorphic way we end up with problems like this.

Thanks for the input! Unless I misunderstanding you, I see no difficulty in seeing how God could desire others to choose salvation, even though He knew they wouldn't.

 

[JRT]

Thanks for the input! Unless I misunderstanding you, I see no difficulty in seeing how God could desire others to choose salvation, even though He knew they wouldn't.

I see the bolded statement above as a contradiction in terms.

 

[NetChaplain]

I see the bolded statement above as a contradiction in terms.

I'll be thinking about your comment here, but don't think we're going to get anywhere with this issue due to different understandings, but that's ok. Thanks for the input and interest.

 

[JRT]

I'll be thinking about your comment here, but don't think we're going to get anywhere with this issue due to different understandings, but that's ok. Thanks for the input and interest.

You are welcome. There are indeed deficiencies in our understandings but also in the deficiencies of the very words we use. I tend to regard God as transcendental or above any capacity to describe or can describe and yet that is precisely what humanity keeps attempting to do. I am guilty too.

 

[NetChaplain]

You are welcome. There are indeed deficiencies in our understandings but also in the deficiencies of the very words we use. I tend to regard God as transcendental or above any capacity to describe or can describe and yet that is precisely what humanity keeps attempting to do. I am guilty too.

Appreciate the kind reply and God bless!