The Decrees of God

The Attributes of God

God is...Purposeful

Definition

The decree of God is His purpose or His determination regarding future events. When we read about the decrees of God in the Bible we read terms like "eternal purpose," or determinate counsel and foreknowledge." The decrees of God govern whatever is done in "time" was foreordained before time began. God purposed according to His will and good pleasure in regards to all creatures and events.

Meaning

Therefore, God did not merely create man, place him on this earth and then withdraw leaving man in an uncontrolled setting. God actually fixed or purposed all the circumstances in the life of His creatures. God also purposed or decreed the events that would take place in history. This means then that God did not simply decree or determine general laws for the operation of creation but God settled the application of those laws to all particular things that God had created. This is why that even events such as the death of a sparrow of the falling of a single strand of human hair are controlled by God.

Scriptural Support

Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." (ESV)

Ephesians 3:11 - "This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,..." (ESV)

Acts 15:18 - "Known unto God are all His works, from the beginning of the world." (KJV)

Acts 2:23 - "this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God..." (ESV)

Ephesians 1:8-11 - "which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth. 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." (ESV)

Conclusion

Give thanks to God for his eternal decrees whereby he has purposed all things. Otherwise we would be subject to chance or blind fate in regards to our well being. Where is the comfort in that? There would be no place to flee to when we are overcome with trials and tribulations. What joy and comfort we have knowing that everything is determined by infinite wisdom, goodness, and love. Because God is a purposeful God we can know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Application

This knowledge leads us then to place our absolute faith and trust in God. We are able to trust God because we know He is in control and not chance. We are able to give praise, glory and honor to God because having this confidence we are able to say "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11"36, KVJ)