By The Will of God

(Christ Centered Living Part 2 - Colossians 1:1a – December 5, 2010)

Paul typically describes himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Col. 1:1a; cf. also Eph. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1).

Why Did Paul Identify Himself in this Way?

(1) This was an expression of his entire theological perspective.

(2) He needed to make clear to the Colossians (and to us) that they (and we) are obligated to listen to him.

(3) Paul didn’t aspire to, ask or apply for the job of apostle – it was by divine initiation, preparation, and authentication, which is to say, “by the will of God.”

The “Will of God” in the Bible:

(1)   His will is decretive and nothing can thwart it.

(2)   His will is preceptive and we can obey or disobey it.

(3)   His will is secretive and will accomplish His perfect purposes.

By God’s Will I am:

(1)   A pastor by the will of God.

(2)   Secure in the realization that my life cannot extend beyond God’s grace or capacity to redeem all things for his glory and my good.

(3)   Living for that which will last eternally for Christ.

For Community Group Discussion and Further Study:

1)      What do you think it would have been like to be the ‘Apostle Paul”? All jobs have their “ups” and “downs” - What would have been the pros and cons of “apostleship?” (For further study on the signs of apostleship in the life of Paul see 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, 8-11; 3:2-4:10; 11:1-11, 20-29; 12:1-10).

2)      Theologian John Jefferson Davis defines God’s providence as “the sovereign activity of God whereby He sustains, preserves, and governs all His creatures, and guides all events toward their appointed ends.” Look up the following verses and discuss what difference God’s providence makes in the following three areas:

a) Nature (the moral and spiritual purposes of God are expressed through the secondary causes [laws of nature] over which He is sovereign) – Job 5:10; Psalm 65:9-10; 104:14; 147:8-9; Jer. 10:13; Hag. 2:17; Mt. 6:26: Acts 14:17;

b) World History – Job 12:23-24; Psalm 22:28; Jer. 27:5-6; Dan. 2:21; 4:17; Acts 4:27-28; 17:25-27.

c) Personal circumstances – Gen. 45:8; 50:20; Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16; Mt. 10:29-31; Rom. 8:28.

3)      What is the connection of God’s will and good works in Ephesians 1:11 and 2:10? How does Christianity differ from other religions in this regard?

4)      What has God decreed that you are especially grateful for? (Try to give Biblical support)

5)      What has God hidden from you that you look forward to finding more about when you see Jesus face to face?

6)      The preceptive will of God is found in His law. The precepts, statutes, and commandments that He delivers to His people make up His perceptive will. They express and reveal to us what is right and proper for us to do. Can you express some of the benefits you have personally experienced from keeping God’s precepts? How about also expressing some of the consequences you have experienced from breaking His precepts? Take some time to thank Jesus for giving you His righteousness in exchange for your sin (2 Cor. 5:21).