Can I Know God's Will?

Crucial Questions #4

by R.C. Sproul

As human beings, we long to know that our lives will unfold in ways that we will find pleasant and rewarding. As Christians, we have a different focus―we want our lives to be pleasing to God. Thus, we ponder His will and worry that we are not doing what He wants us to do. In this Crucial Questions booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul outlines timeless principles for discovering and applying the will of God in day–to–day decisions. He then illustrates how these principles should inform two of the most significant decisions we face in life―the choice of a career and the choice of a spouse. Here is valuable guidance for those who are passionate to follow God.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Faith

102 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1998

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from R.C. Sproul. Lots of truths and things to get you thinking. Really enjoyed the read!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has any question been asked more often or with more earnest desire than the question of how a Christian can understand what is the will of God? This topic matters, and so it was with great anticipation that I began to read volume 4 in R. C. Sproul’s Crucial Questions series. The little book, Can I Know God’s Will addresses a few important and sometimes neglected issues in the discussion of the will of God.

Positives

I love reading R. C. Sproul. He has a style of writing, a scholarly clarity, that many authors of today sadly lack. This book has logical thought, real-life illustrations, humor, and the occasional Latin phrase sprinkled in (one can’t have Sproul without Latin_. Simply put, this is a book that is easy-to-read without being dull or overly simple.

Sproul addresses the topic of God’s will from what I would consider to be a very solid angle. In defining the concept of God’s will, Sproul speaks of God’s will of decree (that which God in his sovereignty makes happen), his will of precept (that which God commands people do), and his will of disposition (that which God desires to happen but will not force). Until those categories are understood, the question “What is Gods’ will?” is a nonsense question. Sproul makes a solid argument for the distinctions between Gods’ will of precept and his will of decree, and shows that we want to know God’s will of precept and disposition while we have little right to attempt to find God’s will of decree.

For many Christians, the breakdown of the different kinds of will of God will be worth the book’s cover price. Far too often we desire to have God tell us the future. We want to know which decision we can make that will make our lives work perfectly without any struggle, difficulty, or pain. In this seeking, we are wanting less to honor God and more to simply have God work for us like a fortune-teller who steers us away from difficulties. However, God has not chosen to reveal the future or his secret decrees to his children, and we ought not think that we can find this “will” through any of our means.

In the other chapters of the book, Sproul addresses the question of God’s will versus man’s will. The author argues that, for God to be sovereign, man’s will cannot supersede God’s will. While mankind is free to choose according to man’s greatest desire, such choosing will never be outside the ultimate decreed will of God. Again, this is a concept that many Christians need to consider.

In the final two chapters, Sproul offers some very practical advice for Christians who are looking into issues of God’s will in career and marriage choices. Since many believers struggle mightily in these areas, Sproul's points could prove to be valuable aids.

Negatives

While I agree with the points that Sproul makes in this work, I found myself disappointed in the overall construction of the book. When a person asks about issues related to determining the will of God, that person is generally trying to examine practical versus mystical means of hearing the voice of God in order to receive God’s guidance. It is good that Sproul makes it clear that the word of God, his preceptive will, is what we must learn in order to do what is right. Sproul makes a point similar to John MacArthur’s point in Found: God’s Will, the key to discerning Gods’ will is to obey God’s commands and then to act with godly freedom. Though Sproul makes this point in general, he makes it more weakly than I would like, and does not address the dangerous false methods that many use to attempt to discern God’s will. So, while Sproul’s point is solid, he fails to thoroughly deal with the questions that I think would be on the hearts of many of his readers.

I also question the 3 category approach of God’s will. While I understand Sproul’s use of the 3 wills, it seems to me to be simpler to refer to God’s will of decree and will of precept and to include God’s will of disposition in the will of precept. I wonder if adding this third category truly advances the discussion, or if it in fact might add a level of confusion for those who read Sproul's work who will then seek to discover a hidden “disposition “that is somehow apart from Scripture. If believers attempt this task, they will then be back at square one, looking for a “will” that they have no way of objectively finding.

The chapters on career and marriage were very wise chapters to insert. However, I wonder if readers who pick those chapters up to read will feel satisfied. Sproul offers some wise questions and wise counsel; however, will readers who are looking for more understand that such wise questions and wise counsel are really what they need? Since Sproul does not deal strongly with the many negative methods that some would attempt to discover the will of God, he might not be able to satisfy readers who find themselves reading chapters 3 and 4.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Though I wish that Sproul had rearranged his work to spend more time on some of the mystical and non-scriptural means that some would suggest for discerning God’s will, I still love that he addresses for Christians to grasp that the will of God is not a secret path that we must stumble upon in order to live a successful life. I would that Sproul spent less time on the discussion of human freedom versus God’s sovereignty and more time on how Christians go about decision-making in general. But with those complaints aside, Christians who need a more philosophical look at the concept of the will of God and the freedom of man can certainly benefit from this work. It is easy to read through in a short time, and the concepts present are certainly solid.

Disclosure

Reformation Trust has given me a free copy of this work for the review that I am submitting.

[Ethan Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too dense while being too short. Obviously, it's not the best combo. 1st Explains "will" in the Bible and the Greek words boule and thelema. This was helpful, but then gets off in the weeds with the 4 states of humanity: able to sin, able not to sin, unable to sin, unable to not sin. After this, there's some fun philosophy, but unnecessary. Then, he talks about marriage and jobs in an unsatisfying way.
Good? Yeah.
Recommend? Probably.
Find better? Definitely.

[Cindy Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pequeño, práctico y útil para comprender el concepto de la voluntad de Dios
en áreas practicas - Trabajo y matrimonio (Los dos últimos capítulos).

El último capítulo sobre el matrimonio es uno que recomendaría
a mis hermanos/as solteros/as.

[Hannah Tekle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of this little book is one of the best expositions I've ever read explaining free-will in light of God's Sovereignty. I love how easily he explains what constantly ends up a complex debate between doctrines.
The second half was an unexpected comfort to a single lady in her mid-twenties. I had no idea there was a random 'marriage' segment in the latter part of this but when I got to it, it kind of felt like what I want to say to my friends every time they confess to deciding which of my male friends at church would make the best husband for me...
Sproul, once more you are my favorite person.

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing God’s will is for many a very difficult proposition. With so many potential roads in life and decisions that have substantial repercussions, deciding how to proceed leaves some paralyzed by fear and others simply trying to go with their gut feelings hoping everything works out. Neither approach is biblical yet both seem to be the route far too many take. Dr. R. C. Sproul, in book 4 of the Crucial Questions series called Can I Know God’s Will, engages the biblical approach to God’s will, focusing specifically on two important decisions, that of marriage and occupation, where discerning God’s will comes into play.

Sproul begins his discussion with a needed explanation of how the bible uses the word will in connection with how God operates noting “the Bible speaks of the will of God in more than one way. This is the key problem that complicates our quest and serves as a warning against simplistic solutions.” He then elaborates on the two Greek words used in the New Testament for “will”, namely boule and thelema, providing salient discussion of what those words mean, the context of their usage, providing the reader with a very clear understanding of the diversity of meaning of those terms in the New Testament.

Building on that foundation, Sproul then outlines the difference between the perceptive and decretive will of God. Admittedly, this will be somewhat foreign territory and terminology for most readers as these terms are rather theologically in-depth. However, it is vital to understand the difference between the perceptive and decretive will of God when discussing the overall concept of God’s will and Sproul does a marvelous job of unpacking difficult theological terminology in a way that will allow the reader to fully grasp what is being discussed. He rightly notes “The practical question of how we know the will of God for our lives cannot be solved with any degree of accuracy unless we have some prior understanding of the will of God in general. Without the distinctions we have made, our pursuit of the will of God can plunge us into hopeless confusion and consternation. When we seek the will of God, we must first ask ourselves which will we are seeking to discover.” Since many overlook this distinction between the perceptive and decretive will of God, it was refreshing to read Sproul’s approach as it provides the basis for knowing how to seek God’s will in the areas of marriage and occupation, the topics that formulate the remainder of this book.

One’s vocation or place of work is something we all identify with. When meeting someone for the first time, it is likely you will ask where they work or perhaps what they do for a living. Thus, finding the right place to work is often something for which people seek God’s will. Sproul notes the very word vocation comes from the Latin word which means calling. Furthermore, God calls everyone to do something in life so understanding God’s calling on your life is indeed quite important. Sproul provides four questions that determining God’s calling finds their roots in: 1) What can I do; 2) What do I like to do; 3) What would I like to be able to do; and 4) What should I do. Each question is crucial to answer in order to determine your occupation. I appreciated Sproul’s statement that “Any vocation that meets the needs of God’s world can be considered a divine calling.” Far too often people feel as if their job is not as important in the divine scheme of things because they have not been called into ministry. In reality, if someone is using their God given talents, they are doing something God has called them to do. Additionally, Sproul aptly declares the need to be mindful that in whatever we do, we should be doing it for the glory of God.

The question of whether to remain single or get married is another valid question people struggle with. In an age where people are increasingly waiting until later in life to get married, knowing God’s purpose and will in your life in this area to include when to get married and whether to raise a family is of great concern. Sproul’s discussion of marriage as a covenant before the Lord was truly outstanding and is something that is being increasingly overlooked not just outside the church, but among church going individuals as well. The idea that a marriage certificate is nothing more than a piece of paper and if two people love each other that should be considered as being sufficient to live together is being embraced by culture at large. In response to this, Sproul reminds the reader “The signing of a marriage certificate is an integral part of what the Bible calls a covenant. A covenant is made publicly before witnesses and with formal legal agreements that are taken seriously by the community.” I also appreciated Sproul’s honest discussion of what one should look for in a mate. Obvious elements include elements of compatibility especially in regards to whether the potential mate is a believer. He also rightly comments on the need for wise counsel, especially from parents. Many parents become rather disengaged at this point in their children’s lives, hoping their kids will simply make the right decision. That is not the biblical model, given the mandate in Scripture for parents to assist their children in this very important decision making process.

God’s will is not some mysterious esoteric “thing” that is impossible to be known by us mere mortals. While God is certainly wholly other than finite humanity and to fully understand God is definitely outside our ability in this life, Scripture provides the means by which we can ascertain whether we are walking on the straight and narrow. Sproul does an excellent job of ensuring the reader understands what God’s “will” means in Scripture, noting the differences and similarities, thus providing a framework firmly rooted in sound biblical doctrine by which one can begin to understand the fact we can know what God desires for us to do. Those who are panic stricken by every potential decision in life can rest assured that God is not only in control, but He also desires for us to know what His will is for us. Can I Know God’s Will is an excellent resource for those struggling to know God’s will or for those who simply want to explore on a deeper basis what God’s will means and how it plays out in life.

[Daniely · Rating 3 out of 5]

No se que decir ni cuantas estrellas ponerle, mas de la mitad del libro se basa en (de manera MUY profunda y teologica) explicar la voluntad decretiva, voluntad preceptiva, voluntad de disposición de Dios, la libertad y el libre albedrío, lo cual no veo mal pero creo que duró demasiado hablando de ese transfondo en vez de dar más consejos prácticos, (muy profundo, demasiado para mi gusto) y en verdad no era lo que esperaba, me quede casi igual.

Lo siento pero para mi es 3/5
🌟🌟🌟

Algunas de mis frases favoritas:

Finalmente, ¿qué espera Dios de nosotros en relación a nuestro trabajo? Como cristianos, hemos sido llamados a ser sal espiritual en un mundo en decadencia, a ser luz espiritual en medio de la oscuridad. Debemos ser sabios administradores de los dones y talentos de Dios. Eso significa esforzarse por ser el trabajador más honesto, paciente, empeñoso y comprometido que podamos ser. Significa no conformarse con nada inferior a la excelencia. Que Dios nos ayude a vivir conforme a su alto llamado para cada uno de nosotros.

En el Antiguo Testamento, Jacob hizo una ardua travesía a su tierra natal para encontrar una novia adecuada. Él no esperó a que Dios le enviara una compañera de vida. Él fue adonde la oportunidad se presentara sola para encontrar una novia. Pero el hecho de que él fuera hombre no implica que ese procedimiento se limite a los varones. En nuestra sociedad, las mujeres tienen exactamente la misma libertad de ir tras un compañero mediante una diligente búsqueda.

[Keidy Sheilyn Reinoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

No es tan simple como parece

Este material, aunque breve si nos llevo por momentos a ciertas cuestiones profundas de la vida y el pensamiento humano para llevarnos a comprender mejor este asunto de la voluntad de Dios.

El las divide en Dos grandes rasgos
La voluntad decretiva
"La voluntad decretiva de Dios no se puede quebrantar o desobedecer. Esta se cumplirá."

La voluntad perceptiva:
"Por otra parte, hay una voluntad que puede ser quebrantada: la “voluntad preceptiva de Dios”. Esta puede ser desobedecida. De hecho, cada día, todos nosotros la quebrantamos y la desobedecemos."

Y de ahí parte para explicar la voluntad del hombre (Que fue mas profundo de lo que esperaba a mi parecer)

Y De forma practica dos rasgos de la vida que son vitales oara conocer la voluntad de Dios:
-El Trabajo
-El Matrimonio.

Así que corto, pero bien sustancioso.

[Wade Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a more senior aged Ttying to decide how and where to serve the Kingdom of Jesus Christ

As a more senior aged man who is trying to decide how and where to serve the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, I found this book useful but not deep enough for my current search. It touched on the core areas that need to be considered and fleshed out for a successful journey, but seems most appropriate for a younger crowd of readers considering career and life choices. I will be suggesting this book to my children. Thank you Dr., RC Sproul and May you Rest In Peace with our Lord and Savior, JESUS.

[Sophie Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t say no to a free kindle book. Short and easy enough read. Sproul says some great things and in the end points you to God in every chapter.
“What happens in our lives is cloaked ultimately in the mystery of God’s will. The joy for us as His children is that the mystery holds no terror—only waiting, appropriate acting on His principles and direction, and the promise that He is with us forever.”

[Timothy Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. I love Sproul’s writing style: no gimmicks or fluff, just straightforward, biblical, and matter-of-fact counsel for the Christian life.

“What happens in our lives is cloaked ultimately in the mystery of God’s will. The joy for us as His children is that the mystery holds no terror—only waiting, appropriate acting on His principles and direction, and the promise that He is with us forever.”

[Chloe Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but full of rich theology! Helpful to think through the decretive will and preceptive will of God. Think I may have more questions about the will of God now than prior to reading- but that was to be expected!

[Perry Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate how straightforward Sproul is. Not afraid to tell it the way it is. His theology is very sound, and learning about the different types of will the Lord has was very insightful. Great book 4.5/5

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these short books by Sproul on different topics.

[María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro que explica de lo general, en cuanto a las diferentes voluntades, hasta las especificidades de la vida del ser humano en cuanto a toma de decisiones.

[Byron Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corto pero lleno de principios valiosos basados en la Biblia

[Brennan Cook]

The beginning of the book is hard to understand, the middle is heat. Absolute heat. The end of book is practical. Overall decent read.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short book from R.C. Sproul’s helpful Crucial Questions series, he looks at the will of God for our lives. He begins by looking at the different ways in which the will of God is addressed in the Bible. First, he addresses the decretive will of God. That is the will by which God decrees things to come to pass according to His supreme sovereignty. He also talks about the preceptive will of God. The precepts, statutes, and commandments that God delivers to His people make up the preceptive will. They express and reveal to us what is right and proper for us to do. The decretive will of God cannot be broken or disobeyed. It will come to pass. On the other hand, there is a will that can be broken, the preceptive will of God. It can be disobeyed. Indeed, it is broken and disobeyed every day by each one of us. Another aspect of the will of God is the will of disposition. It is tied up with the ability of man to disobey God's preceptive will. This aspect of the will of God refers to what is pleasing and agreeable to God.
The author states that there is both a revealed and hidden will of God. The distinction of God's revealed will and hidden will raises a practical problem: the question of whether or not it is possible for a Christian to act in harmony with God's decretive (hidden) will and at the same time work against His preceptive will.
The author writes that the top priority of Jesus is that we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All other things will be added to that.
He writes that perhaps the oldest dilemma of the Christian faith is the apparent contradiction between the sovereignty of God and the freedom of man. He states that our freedom is always constrained by the sovereignty of God and that there is no contradiction between God's sovereignty and man's free will. We were commanded by the Creator not to sin, but chose to sin, though not because God or anyone else forced us to. We chose that out of our own heart. The author states that we must never attribute the cause of our sin to God, or adopt any position that would excuse us from the moral responsibility that Scripture clearly assigns to us.
He looks at the will of God for us in two major areas of our lives: our vocations and our marriages. In discerning our vocational calling, he gives us four important questions to consider:
1. What can I do?
2. What do I like to do?
3. What would I like to be able to do?
4. What should I do?
He writes that any vocation that meets the need of God's world can be considered a divine calling. A vocation is something that we receive from God; He is the one who calls us. Other questions that will be helpful in discerning our vocational calling are:
1. What would I most like to do if I didn't have to please anyone in my family or my circle of friends?
2. What would I like to be doing ten years from now?
In looking at the will of God in marriage, he asks us to consider these questions:
1. Should I Get Married?
2. Do I Want to Get Married?
3. What Do I Want in a Marriage Partner?
4. From Whom Should I Seek Counsel?
5. When Am I Ready to Get Married?
He writes that in order for us to understand the will of God for marriage, it is imperative that we pay attention to God's preceptive will.
This short book is a helpful introduction to the will of God for our lives in the areas of our vocation and marriage.

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, informative read. RC Sproul is an excellent teacher, breaking down complex subjects into understandable descriptions and examples. The first part of the book divides this troublesome question into the different parts of God's will, while the latter part of the book directly addresses choice of career and spouse.

[John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

LEARN HOW TO DETERMINE GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE!
This is the 4th of 17 books covering the fundamentals of Christianity. This book starts by discussing the 3 Types of God’s Will - the Decretive (God’s sovereign will that cannot be thwarted by man or anyone else); the Preceptive (God’s will as expressed in His precepts & laws that are routinely broken by man); & God’s Will of Disposition (God’s will as expressed in the things He says are pleasing & acceptable to Him without commanding them -this type is routinely broken by man as well).
In addition, Sproul talks about two overarching categories of God’s will - His revealed will & His secret will. The former covers the 3 types mentioned above that are revealed by God in The Bible. But there are clearly some things that The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has decided NOT to reveal to us for one reason or another. He offered a warning to some folks who continue to pursue the “unknowable” as a waste of time (you can’t put words into God’s mouth when He’s chosen to remain silent on a subject) & a path that can quite often lead to their ruination.
Then he began a discussion of man’s will showing opposite sides of the debate as to whether it exists at all or whether all things are predetermined by God as some propose. He included a fascinating discussion about how it was possible for man to sin in the garden. Interesting considerations there.
In the final 2 sections, Sproul discusses the 2 primary areas where folks seek God’s will - their career (which “plow” to put your hand to) & marriage (whether or not & who to marry). Both sections were really interesting & informative and had some surprises too. He offers many questions to help us possibly start figuring these things out.
I really enjoyed this book (as much or even more than some of Books 1-3) and I again recommend it very highly. The series has been great so far & really good for all followers of Christ, but especially those new to the faith. And, again, I can hardly wait to read the next in the series - “How Should I Live In This World?”! I hear it’s about ethics! =^D

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, surface-level exploration of God's will and how to follow it in our lives. It starts by explaining the aspects of God's will, then explores human will, then tells how the concept of God's will applies to career and marriage choices. Sproul shares many biblical principles but disappointingly few Bible references. This book helped me think about the concept of vocation.

The book is short and doesn't go deep. It's worth reading, but I found Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung and God's Will by J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom to be more helpful because they're deeper.

Sproul explains why he starts by explaining what the Bible teaches about God's will before diving into how we seek God's will:

The practical question of how we know the will of God for our lives cannot be solved with any degree of accuracy unless we have some prior understanding of the will of God in general. … the secret will of the secret counsel of God is none of our business and is off limits to our speculation … the search for providential guidance must always be subordinate to our study of the revealed will of God."

Notes
The Meaning of God's Will
2 Greek words are translated "will":
Boule: rational and conscious desire; plan based on careful deliberation; most often used to refer to counsel of God; frequently used for providential plan; resolute will of God.
Thelema: what is agreeable, desired, intended, chosen, commanded.

Decretive will: God's sovereign, efficacious will; can't be broken or disobeyed.

God works His plan through means, via the real choices of willing and acting creatures. There are secondary as well as primary causes. … Yet there is a God whose will is greater than ours. His will restricts my will. My will cannot restrict His will.

Preceptive will of God: God's law revealed in Bible; can be (and is) broken and disobeyed.

"It is the will of God that we not sin … The will of God is violated whenever His law is broken."

"The vast majority of matters that concern legislation are … of a decidedly moral character. How a person operates his automobile on the highway is a moral issue since it touches on the well-being of fellow travelers."

"As long as evil exists in the world, the moral restraint of law is necessary."

God's will of disposition: what's pleasing, agreeable to God; expresses God's attitude to creatures. He may allow (but not via moral permission) wicked things to happen, but He's not pleased by them.

2 Pet 3:9 speaks of will of disposition, because it means God isn't inwardly disposed to, or delighted by, people's perishing (Ezek 18:23; 33:11).

God may decree what He doesn't enjoy; He is pleased when justice is maintained, but doesn't take pleasure in application of punishment on wicked.

All things being equal, God does desire that no one should perish. But all things are not equal … sin violates God's holiness and righteousness. God is also not willing that sin should go unpunished. He desires as well that His holiness should be vindicated. It is dangerous to speak of a conflict of interests or a clash of desires within God. Yet, in a certain sense, we must. … The Bible gives no clear answer to this thorny question.

God's secret will is subsumed under His decretive will because it's mostly unknown to us.

God's revealed will is what He has disclosed in Bible.

A person can act in harmony with God's decretive/hidden will while acting against His preceptive will (e.g., those who crucified Christ - Acts 2:23; Joseph's brothers - Gen 50:20).

The Meaning of Man's Will
Augustine said that in Fall, man lost moral liberty but kept free will.

Jonathan Edwards said in Fall man lost moral ability (moral disposition; desire for righteousness) but kept natural ability (think, feel, desire, choose).

Man still has ability to choose what he wants, but lacks desire for true righteousness; he's naturally free but morally enslaved to his wicked desires.

Man freely, self-determinedly chooses according to his strongest desire at the moment.

Man's freedom can never violate or overrule God's sovereign decretive will.

God's Will and Your Job
4 questions to ask about calling:
1. What can I do?
2. What do I like to do?
3. What would I like to be able to do?
4. What should I do?

Ask, "What can I do?" and "What am I equipped to do?" Soberly assess abilities, skills, aptitudes (Rom 12:3).

God took Moses' gifts into consideration, and prepared Aaron for the speaking that had to be done.

We're called to be obedient servants, and sometimes we're called to do things we don't enjoy. "Nevertheless, the overriding consideration is to bring our motivation [what we're motivated to do] into conformity with our call" and vice versa.

"Even within the context of sacrificial service, a consideration of motivation is a vital ingredient in determining our vocation."

"God manages by building us into a body according to our abilities and desires. … Every Christian is gifted of the Lord to fulfill a divine vocation."

Ask, "What should I do?" Do what will use the abilities you're motivated to use, within God's preceptive will.

Jesus spent many of His years as a carpenter, before becoming a teacher and preacher.

"Any vocation that meets the needs of God's world can be considered a divine calling."

Temple was built by craftsmen; David was shepherd; Abraham was trader; Paul was tentmaker; Adam and Eve were originally farmers. All were part of God's plan to redeem world.

God may not call us the way He called Moses. "He usually calls us inwardly and by giving us certain gifts, talents, and aspirations."

Ask, "What would I most like to do if I didn't have to please anyone in my family or my circle of friends?" and "What would I like to be doing ten years from now?"

God's Will in Marriage
Single, celibate life is a legitimate choice (1 Cor 7:25-40).

Bible "does not prohibit marriage. Indeed, it encourages it except in certain cases where one may be brought into conflict with vocation, but even in that dimension, provisions are left for marriage."

[Tim Suffield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really mixed bag. Excellent on the formal theology of free will and free choice, explaining complicated ideas very clearly. Strong on the need to follow God's revealed will in scripture (his commands and precepts) in all cases. Wise on the questions that arise from deciding what job to do generally and who to marry.

However, there are some issues:
1) he treats it like those are the only two questions we could want God's will on.
2) he never actually attempts to answer the question - how do we know God's will? - though he highlights some ways that we can't.
3) he doesn't wrestle with the genuine struggles, heartaches and pain not knowing what to do can cause people.
4) he argues that God's decretive (secret/hidden) will can never be known, without interacting with opposing views that would suggest God sometimes reveals this.
5) he doesn't talk about calling, how churches discern the will of God for them, prophecy or God's response to us in prayer. Any of these would have been helpful topics to mention. I know this was intended to be short, and it was a good length, but as a result of not mentioning them it felt like the book didn't deliver on the promise of the premise.

[Steven Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this rating primarily for the first three chapters. Very encouraging and insightful regarding the will of my LORD. I would recommend this to a Pastor who desires to avoid dead end language re: the will of God and the will of man. Great for a small group that are ready to dig deep into a area that will challenge and therefore strengthen their faith in their Lord and Savior Jesus. The last two chapters are for those seeking their vocation and those who are single and looking for guidance with regards to marriage or celibacy, respectively.

The chapter on vocation/calling/career was particularly helpful after reviewing the first three chapters as I consider multiple options.

[Kristen Stieffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sproul does not dumb down any theological concepts, which is great. I taught this material to a group of ladies who are mature both literally and figuratively, and they struggled with some of the vocabulary and concepts. I wish Sproul had made a greater effort to -- not dumb down, but translate the heavier concepts into terms the average lay person can understand. Nevertheless, he does a good job of answering thorny theological questions in a brief space. I've read many books on the subject, and this is the most concise. Despite its brevity, the theology and practical application are solid.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Sproul approaches thorny questions from a logical perspective. He does a great job of breaking down the finer points in defining will - both God's and man's - and addressing many of the seeming contradictions and conundrums that surround this issue. He then digs down into the nitty-gritty of determining God's will in the specific instances of employment and marriage. Although it would have been nice to have had a few more of the specific chapters there at the end, the book's purpose was fulfilled just in the first half. Definitely worth the read.

[Kenny Pecher · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul is one of the most respected living theologians today. His books are always informative and educational for my mind, and most beneficial in my walk with God.
This particular title really expanded my understanding of God's will in scripture and how it can be defined differently, depending on the text. People often misinterpret verses because of their lack of understanding about he will of God.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is hungry for truth and deeply inlove with our Father.

[C.H.E. Sadaphal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bottom line: An enlightening Biblical and philosophical investigation that provides a map on how to discover the will of God.

In Can I Know God’s Will? R. C. Sproul not only gives readers a clear answer to the question—a resounding yes—but also outlines ageless principles that anyone can use for discerning and applying the will of God to their everyday life.

As the author makes clear, people frequently search for the hidden will of God without ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/can-i-know...

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short ebook began in a promising manner. However, the last portion of it is completely devoted to discovering God's will about a vocation or marriage, two areas of God's will that are pretty much completely settled for me.

Sproul's writings usually offer a bit more spiritual depth and I was less than blessed by this one's divergence into the discussion of vocation and marriage...

Worth reading the first few chapters for me, the rest, a bit of a waste, and I didn't fully agree with his assessment of discovering God's will for vocation.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul does a fantastic job of differentiating between God's secret will and His prescriptive will, and explaining how once we know the difference, we can with the aid of the Holy Spirit, figure out the answer to this question.

[Tosh Demsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a concise and insightful discussion of four important topics: God's will, the free will of the individual, discovering your vocation, and marriage. R.C. Sproul delivers a lot of wisdom and thought-provoking ideas with brevity and clarity. I definitely learned a lot, especially about God's will. I would highly recommend reading the 3rd chapter on God's calling in terms of career to anyone who is unsure if they are pursuing the right vocation that fits both their gifts and interests.