Free Will C (Listen or Read)
God’s Will
Since Bible translators are human, they are naturally inclined to conform the text to their world view. Since the majority have believed in the sovereignty of man’s will, they must weaken the sense of certain phrases such as “to will” and “to purpose” when referring to God. Instead, they use terms like “to desire” and “to wish” relative to God’s intentions. As a corollary to this tendency, God is seen as merely “desiring” things instead of “willing” them into existence.
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have [“desires”–NKJV] all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1Ti. 2:3-6 KJV).
God “will” have all men to be saved. Does this mean God purposes with intent to accomplish His will, or that He merely desires it with no power to make it happen? The Greek word “will” here is thélō, Strong’s #2309. The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament defines thélō at (I) (C) as “To will as the equivalent of to purpose, to be decided upon, seeing one’s desire to its execution…”(V) “Thélō indicates not only willing something, but also pressing on to action.”24 Of more importance than what any lexicographer would say, is how the apostles understood Christ when He used the word.
Jesus said to him, “If I will [thelo] that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “if I will [thelo] that he remain till I come, what is that to you? (Jn. 21:22-23).
The disciples evidently understood Jesus statement, “If I will” as the equivalent of “to purpose,” “to be decided upon,” and to “seeing one’s desire to its execution.” That is why they went out and proclaimed that this disciple would not die. For them to believe such an incredible statement is especially relevant. Did Jesus’ hearers understand the word, “will,” differently than we are to understand it in 1Ti.2:4? I don’t think so. And for the sake of argument, even if it read “desire” instead of “will,” it does not change a thing, for Isaiah says: “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure [“delight”—YLT]” (Is. 46:10).
Tradition has taught us that God will not save a person against his or her will. I agree. However, He has the power to orchestrate whatever circumstances are necessary to effect one’s will to change.
Quillen Hamilton Shinn, a Civil War soldier, teacher, and acclaimed Vermont minister, wrote:
He does not save men by arbitrary force. He saves by their wills, through moral influence. God has resources in his universe, the all conquering agencies of love, to make the unwilling soul willing! He has light enough to make the blind see, and love enough to melt the hardened heart.”25
Pastor and author of The Outcome of Infinite Grace, Loyal F. Hurley, pointed out:
Again and again, when trouble stalks his path, a man turns back to the God he has despised. When his wife dies, or his children go wrong; when loss and disaster fall upon him, again and again he will seek the God he has neglected. That is not because God coerces the man, but because He brings upon him such experiences as change his attitude. And He brings such experiences upon men, not in anger, but in love. For love is the only ultimate power that is not coercive.26
References: See Bibliography page.
