Will vs Desire

[NetChaplain]

God “desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4), for He is “not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Pet 3:9). Is God’s will being done in all? Yes! Is God’s desires being done by all? No. Thus His will and desire are being done only in the believer. Though God’s desire is that nobody perishes, His will is that those who “have done evil” are to inherit “the resurrection of damnation,” and those who “have done good” are to inherit “the resurrection of life” (John 5:29).

“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13). This is a work that every individual believer undergoes. Wherefore, if this “work” be not externally evident, it reveals the absence not only of the Father’s work within, but also that of the presence of the Spirit within, in “bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom 8:16).

 

[Curtis]

God “desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4), for He is “not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Pet 3:9). Is God’s will being done in all? Yes! Is God’s desires being done by all? No. Thus His will and desire are being done only in the believer. Though God’s desire is that nobody perishes, His will is that those who “have done evil” are to inherit “the resurrection of damnation,” and those who “have done good” are to inherit “the resurrection of life” (John 5:29).

“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13). This is a work that every individual believer undergoes. Wherefore, if this “work” be not externally evident, it reveals the absence not only of the Father’s work within, but also that of the presence of the Spirit within, in “bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom 8:16).

It is interesting that the word, "desire" also means "appetite". Adam and Eve desired "had a appetite" for something that was not on God's "menu" for them to eat!!
On God's "menu" for man today is to choose salvation. Not until man chooses from God's menu his desire for him, will man experience this salvation.

 

[NetChaplain]

It is interesting that the word, "desire" also means "appetite". Adam and Eve desired "had a appetite" for something that was not on God's "menu" for them to eat!!
On God's "menu" for man today is to choose salvation. Not until man chooses from God's menu his desire for him, will man experience this salvation.

I agree, and thanks for the reply.

 

[RJ]

God “desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4), for He is “not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Pet 3:9). Is God’s will being done in all? Yes! Is God’s desires being done by all? No. Thus His will and desire are being done only in the believer. Though God’s desire is that nobody perishes, His will is that those who “have done evil” are to inherit “the resurrection of damnation,” and those who “have done good” are to inherit “the resurrection of life” (John 5:29).

“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13). This is a work that every individual believer undergoes. Wherefore, if this “work” be not externally evident, it reveals the absence not only of the Father’s work within, but also that of the presence of the Spirit within, in “bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom 8:16).

Very good post!
Without adding some additional scripture, yours are quite adequate, I am confident that God, in his grand and perfect Grace has not only predestined us but still allowed us to chose him. With many a verse I know, but also imagine, that in his great wisdom and power, he does not force us into a decision, but could only by a sovereign plan, perfectly allowing us to exercise our free will to achieve his purpose.

 

[NetChaplain]

Very good post!
Without adding some additional scripture, yours are quite adequate, I am confident that God, in his grand and perfect Grace has not only predestined us but still allowed us to chose him. With many a verse I know, but also imagine, that in his great wisdom and power, he does not force us into a decision, but could only by a sovereign plan, perfectly allowing us to exercise our free will to achieve his purpose.

Hi RJ - Thanks for the reply and comment. How could one determine fairness if it was not about man's choice, which was initiated in the garden by God giving Adam and Eve the first choice concerning the first command.

God's foreknowledge that most will perish (Mat 7:13, 13) does not negate the opportunity of everyone's choice concerning His giving of His Son to the world! It's man's choice to "love darkness rather than light" (Jhn 3:19).