Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 28:76 (Spring 2024)
Article: Knowing And Doing The Will Of God
Author: Steven R. Cook

JODT 28:76 (Spring 2024) p. 33

Knowing And Doing The Will Of God

Steven R. Cook

* Steven R. Cook, M.Div., D.Min., formerly advising professor, Tyndale Theological Seminary & Biblical Institute

Knowing and doing the will of God starts with God. Biblically, there is only one God (Deut 32:39; Isa 45:5–7; 46:9), and He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them (Gen 1:1; Exod 20:11; Neh 9:6; Acts 17:24). Furthermore, God is not silent. He has provided general revelation concerning himself through nature (Ps 19:1–2; Rom 1:20) and special revelation through his Word (2 Tim 3:16–17; 2 Pet 1:20–21),1 and through his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1–3; cf. John 1:1, 14, 18). Today, believers have the written Word of God which provides the clearest revelation of God’s will. Without his Word, one would have no clear understanding of who God is, what He is doing, or what He expects.

God’s will is mentioned several times in the Old Testament (Deut 10:10; 23:5; 2 Chron 21:7) which uses the Hebrew word אָבָה (abah), meaning “to will, [or] be willing.”2 Also, in other passages (Ps 40:8; 143:10), the Hebrew word רָצוֹן (ratson) is used, which refers to “what pleases the Lord.”3 Some passages in the New Testament specifically mention God’s will, where the Greek term θέλημα (theléma) is employed (i.e. Rom 12:2; Eph 6:5–6, Col 4:12; 1 Thess 4:3;