Yes, God works all things according to his will . . .  

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory 

Ephesians 1:11-12

Today, paganism is common, violence is rampant, and folly is plentiful. Yet, God works all things according to his will. It may seem to some like those two sentences cannot simultaneously be true, but our theology teaches us differently. 

The Bible displays that God has a sovereign will and a moral will. Think of God’s sovereign will as his wise plan for all events throughout all times. It is basically the assertion that God justly accomplishes what he wants. Think of God’s moral will as his law, or commandments. God’s sovereign will can never be violated. However, God’s moral will is violated all the time. Where we find comfort, is in the knowledge that violations of God’s moral will do not contradict God’s sovereign will, but are used by our Creator to accomplish it.

This can be seen clearly in the crucifixion of Jesus. The gospel of John displays the following violations of God’s moral will:

• using the Lord’s name in vain (John 19:3; cf. Exodus. 20:3)

• bearing a false witness/lying (John 19:7; cf. Exodus. 20:7)

• stealing (John 19:23; cf. Exodus. 20:15) 

• murder (John 19:30; Exodus. 20:13)

Despite these heinous violations against our Savior, God’s sovereign will was still accomplished on that glorious day (Isaiah. 53:10). This truth is no provision for sin, but rather motivation to repent and serve a God that still accomplishes his sovereign will for our lives despite our violations of his moral will.

While the differences between an ever-realized sovereign will and often-violated moral will of God are apparent, they are linked together by God’s supreme motivation: his own glory. 

God uses the circumstances and consequences of the myriad violations of his moral will to achieve his sovereign will (Genesis. 50:20). This brings him glory. One day, God will judge every unrepentant violation of his moral will through pouring out his wrath on sinners. This mighty display will also bring him glory. Whether it is through salvation from sin or wrath for sin, God will be glorified.

The first sentence of this work stated, “Today, paganism is common, violence is rampant, and folly is plentiful.” Surely, every biblical author could have made that statement at some point during their time and it would have been true. If you disagree, try it out. Moses, Jeremiah, Nahum, Luke, Peter, and Jude could all have made that statement. Since the Fall, men have violated God’s moral will, but take heart, for there is no amount of paganism, violence, or folly in our world that can prevent God from achieving his sovereign will. As you rest in that knowledge, may the Holy Spirit empower you to continue in obedience of his moral will.

God is faithful.