8.4 God’s Ideal and Remedial Wills
God’s Plan: Freedom and Restoration
Read Ephesians 1:9–11. What does this text say about predestination? Are some people predestined to be saved while others are doomed to perish?
Ephesians 1:9–11 provides valuable insights into God’s plan for humanity and the meaning of predestination. The term “predestined” (Greek proorizō) is often misunderstood as a rigid, deterministic setting in of all events by God. However, the biblical use of this term indicates that God makes His plans in advance, taking into account the free choices of human beings.
God’s Predetermination and Free Will
Paul explains that God works “according to the purpose of His will” (Eph 1:11). At first glance, this might give the impression that God predetermined every detail of human life in advance. Yet, when we consider this verse in the broader context of the Bible, it becomes clear that God respects human free will. This is evident in passages such as Luke 7:30, where it is reported that the Pharisees “rejected the will of God for themselves.” Similarly, in Luke 13:34, Jesus makes it clear that although God desired to save Jerusalem, the people were not ready.
This means that God’s will is not always enforced unchanged, but rather manifests in two dimensions:
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God’s Ideal Will – This is what God desires for His creation. He wants all people to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and to live according to His perfect plan.
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God’s Healing Will – This takes into account the real decisions of people and continues to work out His healing purpose despite their wrong choices. Even if people choose against God’s will, God can incorporate these decisions into His greater plan of salvation.
Ephesians 1:11: An Expression of God’s Healing Will
Ephesians 1:11 refers to the sovereignty of God, but not in the sense of a ruthless determinism. Rather, it describes God’s ability to fulfill His plans even in a fallen world. He does not force anyone to be saved or condemned; instead, He works throughout history to achieve His goal of salvation—while preserving human freedom.
Summary
God’s will is neither mechanistic nor arbitrary. The predestination that Paul speaks of is not an irrevocable determination of an individual’s fate, but an expression of God’s plan, which offers salvation in Christ. In doing so, He takes into account human free will and carries out His healing will so that, despite human decisions, the overarching goal of His love and grace is fulfilled.
God’s foreknowledge of the future is so powerful that even when He knows all human decisions—including the wrong ones—He can still “work all things for good” (Rom 8:28). What comfort can you draw from this truth?
The thought that God can accomplish His plan despite all human decisions—including the bad ones—is a source of deep comfort and assurance. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “all things work together for good for those who love God.”
Comfort from God’s Foreknowledge and Sovereignty
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God Is Never Surprised or Overwhelmed
No mistake, no suffering, and no wrong decision can thwart God’s plan. Even when people go astray or injustice befalls us, God can transform these experiences into something good.
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God Is Active in Our Lives
God’s foreknowledge is not merely a passive knowledge of the future but part of His loving action. He not only sees what will happen, but He accompanies us on our journey, guides us, and opens doors for repentance and healing.
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Our Mistakes Are Not Final
Even if we make poor decisions, it does not mean that our lives are ruined. God can even use our errors to teach us, shape us, and bring us closer to His good plan.
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Suffering Has a Purpose in God’s Plan
Even if we sometimes do not understand why we go through difficult times, we can trust that God incorporates everything into a higher purpose. Pain and challenges are often the means by which God helps us grow and fulfill His plan.
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The Future Is Secure in God’s Hands
Nothing happens outside of God’s knowledge and control. Even if our current situation is difficult, we know that God is capable of bringing everything to good. This gives us hope and peace, even when we do not immediately understand everything.
Summary
This truth teaches us to trust God even when our lives seem chaotic. His knowledge of the future and His ability to direct everything for good give us security and hope. We can rest in the knowledge that our lives are in the hands of a loving God whose plan, in the end, is for our benefit.
The understanding of God’s ideal and healing will is not only a theological truth but also has concrete implications for our daily lives and our faith. It helps us understand God’s actions in our own lives and provides us with guidance, comfort, and hope.
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Trust in God’s Plan – Even in Difficult Times
Sometimes we face challenges that we do not understand. We wonder why certain things happen and whether our lives are on the right track. Yet, Ephesians 1:11 reminds us that God directs all things according to His will—not as a strict dictator, but as a loving Father who integrates our mistakes and difficult situations into His healing plan.
Everyday Application: In tough times, we can find peace knowing that despite our uncertainties, God has a good plan for our lives. -
Our Decisions Matter
God gives us the freedom to choose our path. His ideal will would have us always living in complete alignment with His plan. Yet He respects our decisions and continues to guide us even when we err.
Everyday Application: We should make our decisions consciously and prayerfully, knowing that they play a role in God’s plan. At the same time, we can trust that God will not abandon us even when we make mistakes. -
Faith Means Trust, Not Perfection
We do not have to understand everything to trust God. Romans 8:28 teaches us that even our mistakes and the mistakes of others cannot prevent God’s plan from being fulfilled.
Everyday Application: We can live boldly and trustingly, knowing that God is directing our lives. Rather than being paralyzed by fear, we can start each day with the confidence that God is with us. -
Forgiveness and Reconciliation as Part of God’s Healing Will
God works not only in our individual lives but also in our relationships. Just as He planned the reconciliation of humanity with Himself through Christ, He calls us to seek peace and healing in our own relationships.
Everyday Application: We should not dwell in bitterness or resentment, but actively pursue forgiveness and reconciliation, as God has intended this in His healing will for us. -
Hope for the Future
No matter what happens in our lives, we can be assured: God has the final word. His will will be accomplished, and in the end, He will bring everything to good.
Everyday Application: Instead of being overwhelmed by worries about the future, we can live with the assurance that God’s plan for us is good—even if we do not fully understand it immediately.
Conclusion
God’s ideal and healing will means that we can live in freedom while entrusting ourselves to His love and guidance. Our faith is not defined by perfection, but by the trust that God can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. This understanding helps us live each day with confidence, hope, and forgiveness.
