What Does the Bible Say About the Will of God?
List by Ami Hendrickson
Whoever does God’s will is part of His family
Mark 3:35
For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.
God's will plays a part in the things that benefit me
Romans 1:9-11
For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established.
God’s will is good, pleasing, and perfect
Romans 12:2
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Following Jesus is God’s will
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus.
God’s will includes intercessory prayer
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
God’s will is moral and sanctifies me
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality.
God’s will includes gratitude and thankfulness
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Doing God’s will requires strength and stamina
Hebrews 10:35-36
Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
God’s will is often very different than what I want
1 Peter 4:2
That you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
God’s will may cause me discomfort and distress here on earth, but I trust Him; He is faithful
1 Peter 4:13-16; 19
But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
Doing God’s will nourished, sustained, and empowered Jesus
John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
Jesus came from heaven only to do God’s will
John 6:38-39
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.
God is not willing for anyone to die; He wants every human to repent and come to Him
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
