Lesson 1: Introduction
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

There is no phrase more often used in Christian thought and speech than that of "The Will of God." Our familiarity with this phrase has in some measure robbed us of a keen sense of its vital importance. Its meaning is all too little realized, so it has largely become a kind of fetish to be worshipped because it has a sound of piety while the fact that it is the supreme subject of revelation, and the one and only abiding law of life, is forgotten. Ideas that are false in themselves, and, therefore, destructive in their effects, are held concerning it. These are not the result of thought, but rather of the lack of thought. There are many who imagine that the Will of God is something apart from human interests to which men are to be resigned whenever they happen to be brought into contact with it.

The word of God is given to man, not that he may have a correct theory, but that he may have the truth. Truth is a sanctifying force, and a man holds the truth only when he is held by the truth. When truth possesses a man, all its glory and beauty are manifested through his life and character. The truth the Bible reveals is the Will of God for man. Sanctification by truth is the bringing of man into the Will of God.

All prayer lies within the two petitions of the pattern of prayer the Master taught His disciples: "Your kingdom come; Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10). There is no prayer beyond that.


Allow your imagination to carry you back to past ages. Amid the silence of that immeasurable eternity you are conscious of perfect peace, perfect happiness, perfect love. The explanation is to be found in the fact that the Will of God was perfectly done.

Today we hear much on such subjects as the filling of the Spirit, holiness, and power for service. This is cause for gratitude; but, after all, these are only a means to an end – the Will of God. A Spirit-filled man is a most glorious being but he has not reached the goal by that condition; he has only become equipped for fulfilling his life. Holiness is to be sought and found. A holy man is not, however, to rest in his holiness. Power for service is a great blessing, but service in response to the Will of God is the supreme goal.

John declares (1 John 2:17) that the doing of the Will of God is the condition of permanence amid the perishing and passing of the world. We are conscious that all around us is dying; yes, we ourselves pass away. We are also conscious of a passionate desire for permanence. The possessive pronouns are at once a revelation of that desire, and a confession of weakness. "My house," and it is gone! "My child," and it is dead! There is permanence only in the Will of God, and only there can we fully use the possessive pronoun, "My Lord and my God." Therefore, the will of God is the place in which we “live and…have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Question: Why do you think the word of God is given to man?