The question is difficult to answer without sounding arrogant. I think the only way to do it right is to use God’s own word, the Bible. Even then the context and the semantics will matter to the point that two honest, Bible believing Christians may differ in their interpretation on some aspects (not to mention the methods to carry out God’s will). I want this understood before we begin so I myself will not sound too arrogant as I attempt to tackle this difficult but important topic.
9“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ – Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, is everything that then happens God’s will? Do we have an active part to play?
Now, let us first establish that some things are in fact the will of God. For instance, according to Colossians 1, Apostle Paul is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. Either Paul is right, or the Bible is wrong. The premise is the Bible is right so no ambivalence here.
Second, we establish that all things are not the will of God. It is not difficult when you trust the Bible. The beginning of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-3 say, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” In Exodus 23:33, God continues to speak to the Israelites regarding the other nations around them: “Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”
What happens is they disobey and serve the false gods to their peril, the sad trajectory of the results of breaking the Commandments being described in Isaiah 3, where the Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of His people, who have ruined His vineyard and plundered from the poor. They paraded their sin like Sodom, bringing disaster on themselves. Yet it will be well with the righteous.
10Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. 11Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. – Isaiah 3:10-11 (NIV)
8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” If we do wrong, we are not in the perfect will of God, and if we continue to do wrong, we may lose the sight of God’s will completely. The details are demanding. I leave you with this word.
3It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)
God bless you, Dear Reader.
Bible Study 