THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 1:9
Key Verse:
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” — Ephesians 1:9 KJV
Supporting Texts:
Ephesians 1:10-11; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12; Colossians 1:9-10; Colossians 2:2-3; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:10.
Description:
This message reveals how God makes His will known to His people and calls them to understand, embrace and fulfil His divine purpose in Christ.
INTRODUCTION
God is a God of purpose. Nothing He does is accidental, and nothing He has planned for His children is without meaning. Ephesians 1:9 declares that God has made known to us “the mystery of his will”. This means that God's purposes, which were once hidden, have been revealed to believers through Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is therefore not a journey without direction; it is a life governed by divine purpose.
A mystery in Scripture is not necessarily something that can never be understood. It refers to a divine truth that was previously hidden but has now been revealed by God. The mystery of God's will centres on His eternal purpose in Christ—to bring all things together under the authority of Jesus Christ and to accomplish His redemptive plan for humanity and creation. God does not merely save us; He brings us into His eternal purpose.
Knowing God's will is one of the greatest privileges of the believer. Many people know what they want from God but have not taken time to discover what God wants from them. The mature believer must move beyond asking, “Lord, bless my plans,” to asking, “Lord, what is Your will for my life?” When God's will becomes our priority, our decisions, relationships, ministry and ambitions begin to align with heaven's purpose.
1. GOD'S WILL IS A DIVINE MYSTERY THAT HE REVEALS
The will of God is not discovered merely through human intelligence. God reveals His purposes to those who seek Him. What human wisdom cannot uncover, the Spirit of God can reveal.
God does not reveal everything at once, but He gives sufficient light for every step He requires us to take.
a) GOD HAS A PURPOSE BEHIND HIS WILL [Ephesians 1:9]
Paul says that God made known the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure. God's will is not random. It proceeds from His wisdom, goodness and eternal purpose.
b) GOD REVEALS WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN [1 Corinthians 2:10]
The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to believers. Divine revelation enables us to understand things that natural reasoning alone cannot comprehend.
c) CHRIST IS AT THE CENTRE OF GOD'S REVEALED WILL [Colossians 1:27]
The mystery revealed is centred in Christ. God's ultimate purpose is not simply to make people successful; it is to bring them into Christ and conform their lives to His purposes.
d) GOD EXPECTS US TO SEEK UNDERSTANDING [Proverbs 2:3-6]
Scripture calls us to seek wisdom and understanding as a treasure. God is willing to reveal His will, but we must cultivate a heart that sincerely desires to know Him.
Biblical Example:
Joseph received dreams concerning his future, but he did not immediately understand the complete meaning of God's plan. Through many years of testing, God brought the pieces together until Joseph could see that his experiences were part of a greater divine purpose (Genesis 37:5-11; 50:20).
2. GOD'S WILL IS ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE
Ephesians 1:9 tells us that God revealed His will “according to his good pleasure”. This shows that God's purposes flow from His goodness. His will is not designed to destroy us but to lead us into His best.
Even when God's will takes us through difficult seasons, His ultimate intention remains good.
a) GOD'S WILL FLOWS FROM HIS GOODNESS [Psalm 84:11]
God is good and gives good things to those who walk uprightly. His character is the foundation for trusting His will.
b) GOD'S PURPOSE IS FOR OUR ULTIMATE GOOD [Romans 8:28]
God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even painful experiences can become instruments in His hands.
c) GOD'S PLANS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR PLANS [Isaiah 55:8-9]
God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Sometimes we resist His will because we cannot immediately see what He sees, but faith trusts God's superior wisdom.
d) GOD'S WILL BRINGS FULFILMENT [Psalm 37:4]
As we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires become increasingly aligned with His purposes. True fulfilment comes when our desires are submitted to God's will.
Biblical Example:
Esther may not initially have understood why she had been placed in the palace, but God had a purpose behind her position. At the right time, she understood that she was positioned to save her people (Esther 4:14-16).
3. CHRIST REVEALS THE CENTRE OF GOD'S ETERNAL WILL
The mystery of God's will ultimately points to Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:10 explains that God's purpose is “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ”.
Christ is not a side issue in God's plan. He is the centre, foundation and ultimate goal of God's redemptive purpose.
a) GOD'S WILL IS CENTRED ON CHRIST [Ephesians 1:10]
God's plan is to gather all things together in Christ. Everything finds its proper place under His authority.
b) CHRIST IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER [John 14:6]
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Anyone who wants to understand God's purpose must begin with a relationship with Christ.
c) ALL THINGS WERE CREATED THROUGH CHRIST [Colossians 1:16]
Christ is central to creation itself. Therefore, understanding our purpose begins with understanding our relationship to Him.
d) ALL THINGS WILL ULTIMATELY COME UNDER CHRIST'S AUTHORITY [Philippians 2:9-11]
God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him a name above every name. God's eternal plan will culminate in the universal acknowledgement of Christ's lordship.
Biblical Example:
Saul of Tarsus believed he was serving God, but his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus radically changed his understanding of God's will. He asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). That question marked the beginning of a life surrendered to divine purpose.
4. GOD'S WILL REQUIRES SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
Knowing God's will is more than receiving information; it requires spiritual understanding. A person can have knowledge of Scripture and still fail to understand what God is doing in a particular season.
The Holy Spirit helps believers discern God's direction and apply His Word correctly.
a) THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS GOD'S PURPOSE [1 Corinthians 2:12]
Believers have received the Spirit of God so that they may know the things freely given to them by God. Spiritual understanding comes through the Spirit.
b) THE WORD OF GOD RENEWS OUR MINDS [Romans 12:2]
Paul teaches that transformation through the renewing of the mind enables believers to prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
c) SPIRITUAL MATURITY IMPROVES DISCERNMENT [Hebrews 5:14]
Mature believers develop the ability to discern good and evil. Spiritual maturity helps us distinguish God's direction from human impulse.
d) PRAYER HELPS US DISCERN DIVINE DIRECTION [Colossians 1:9]
Paul prayed that believers would be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Prayer should therefore include a desire to know and obey God's will.
Biblical Example:
Samuel initially misunderstood God's call when the Lord spoke to him at night. Eli eventually helped him recognise that God was calling him. Samuel then responded, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:1-10).
5. GOD'S WILL MUST BE EMBRACED WITH FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Knowing God's will is not enough. We must be willing to obey it. Divine revelation becomes fruitful when it produces divine obedience.
There will be times when God's instruction challenges our comfort, preferences or understanding. Faith says, “If God has spoken, I will obey.”
a) OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE [1 Samuel 15:22]
God values obedience above religious activity. We cannot substitute impressive religious actions for simple obedience to God's instruction.
b) FAITH RESPONDS TO GOD'S WORD [Hebrews 11:8]
Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to a place he did not know. Faith does not require complete knowledge of the future before taking the next step.
c) JESUS IS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SUBMISSION [Luke 22:42]
In Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered His human desire to the Father's will. His example teaches us that God's will must take precedence over personal preference.
d) OBEDIENCE BRINGS FRUITFULNESS [John 15:14]
Jesus connects friendship with Him to obedience. A life that obeys God's will becomes a life that bears lasting spiritual fruit.
Biblical Example:
Noah obeyed God's command to build the ark even when there was no visible evidence of the coming flood. His obedience preserved his household and fulfilled God's purpose for his generation (Genesis 6:13-22).
6. GOD'S WILL GIVES DIRECTION, PURPOSE AND DESTINY
When a believer discovers God's will, life receives divine direction. Instead of being driven by circumstances, opinions or competition, the person begins to walk according to God's purpose.
Knowing God's will does not mean every day will be easy, but it means every season can have meaning.
a) GOD DIRECTS THE STEPS OF HIS PEOPLE [Psalm 37:23]
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. God is interested in the details of our journey and can direct us into His appointed path.
b) GOD HAS PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE [Jeremiah 29:11]
God's thoughts towards His people are thoughts of peace and a future with hope. Your life is not an accident.
c) GOD CAN CLOSE AND OPEN DOORS [Revelation 3:7]
God has authority over opportunities and seasons. A closed door is not always rejection; sometimes it is divine redirection.
d) GOD'S WILL LEADS TO FRUITFULNESS [Colossians 1:10]
Paul prayed that believers would walk worthy of the Lord and be fruitful in every good work. Divine direction should produce divine results.
Biblical Example:
Paul and his companions attempted to preach in certain regions, but the Holy Spirit redirected them. Eventually, Paul received the Macedonian vision and understood where God wanted them to go (Acts 16:6-10).
CONCLUSION
The mystery of God's will has been revealed to us in Christ. God does not desire His children to wander through life without direction. He has a purpose, and He desires us to know that purpose through His Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, spiritual understanding and obedience. The greatest discovery is not merely discovering what God can do for us but discovering what He created us to do for His glory.
Therefore, surrender your plans to God and seek His will above your own desires. Do not be afraid of God's will, because His will flows from His goodness and wisdom. When you walk in His purpose, even your challenges can become instruments of preparation. May your spiritual eyes be opened, your understanding be enlightened and your heart become fully surrendered to the will of God.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, open my spiritual understanding and reveal Your will and purpose for my life, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, remove every confusion and uncertainty that is preventing me from recognising Your direction, in Jesus name.
3. Father, give me grace to trust Your wisdom even when I do not understand Your ways, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, let the Holy Spirit guide me into every decision that is according to Your perfect will, in Jesus name.
5. Father, deliver me from every decision that will take me outside Your divine purpose, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me courage to obey every instruction You give me, even when it is difficult, in Jesus name.
7. Father, let every wrong door that can lead me away from Your purpose be closed, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, open every door that is part of Your divine plan for my life and ministry, in Jesus name.
9. Father, align my desires, ambitions and plans with Your perfect will, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let my life fulfil Your eternal purpose and bring glory to the name of Jesus, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. Your spiritual eyes shall be opened, and you shall clearly understand the will and purpose of God for your life.
2. You shall not wander outside God's plan; your steps shall be ordered by the Lord.
3. Every confusion concerning your next step shall be replaced with divine clarity and spiritual understanding.
4. You shall receive wisdom to recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit and grace to obey His direction.
5. Every wrong door that would take you away from God's purpose shall be shut, and every God-ordained door shall open before you.
6. You shall not miss your divine timing, divine opportunity or divine assignment.
7. Your plans shall increasingly come into alignment with God's purposes, and your decisions shall produce fruitful results.
8. Even the experiences you do not understand now shall work together for the fulfilment of God's purpose in your life.
9. You shall walk in divine direction, spiritual maturity, fruitful service and increasing revelation of God's Word.
10. You shall fulfil God's will for your generation, complete your assignment and finish your course with joy, in Jesus name.
