The Purpose of His Will

“He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will....” Verse 5.

Just as a young man chooses a wife in love according to the good pleasure of his will, God has predestined us, according to the good pleasure of His will, to receive adoption as sons by Jesus Christ.

Since God’s election is according to the purpose of His own free will, obedience and growth on our part come about when, according to our own free will, we embrace the counsels of His will. Blessed, therefore, is every one who beholds the perfect law of liberty and continues in it. God elects us according to the good pleasure of His will; and according to our own free will, we accept His election. The confirmation of our calling and election takes place in this same freedom of choice. The purpose of God’s will puts an end to the darkened counsels of our mind. Where the purpose of His will is revealed, difficulties must give way. God’s light shines clearly. In His counsel His will is revealed for our sanctification, and we are born, are nourished, and grow in this purpose of His will to mature manhood in Christ.

The law was not given according to the purpose of His will, but as a necessary consequence of transgression. The law chastens us to Christ, but in Him we live in freedom. Nevertheless, the results we attain to in this liberty in Christ vary. The more we take pains to acquaint ourselves with the purpose of His will, the more we will come to possess His Spirit of counsel and might, and the more wisdom and liberty we will obtain.