(Extracts from Francis Turretin, edited into modern English)
When we speak about the will of God, we mean God’s eternal purpose and decision by which He determines all that comes to pass, according to His own wisdom, holiness, and goodness.
God
does not act by impulse or uncertainty.
He does not react to
events as they unfold.
Everything He wills is wise,
intentional, and unchanging.
“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3, ESV)
Turretin insists that we must speak of God’s will carefully, because careless language leads either to:
denying God’s sovereignty, or
blaming God for sin.
First, Turretin teaches that God has one will, not many.
God
is simple (not made of parts).
So His will cannot be divided or
conflicted.
Even when Scripture speaks of God “willing” different things, it is not teaching multiple wills in God, but different ways the one will is revealed or applied.
This protects us from thinking:
God changes His mind, or
God is internally conflicted.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19, ESV)
Turretin explains that Scripture speaks of God’s will in two main senses.
This is what God has eternally decided will actually happen.
It includes:
creation
providence
salvation
judgment
every event in history
This will cannot fail.
Humans do not know this will ahead of time, except where God reveals parts of it in prophecy.
“He works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)
This will is called secret not because it is mysterious in itself, but because God has not revealed it fully to us.
This is what God commands and approves.
It is found in:
God’s law
His commands
His warnings and promises
This will tells us what we ought to do, not what will certainly happen.
“This is the will of God, your sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, ESV)
People often disobey this will, but their disobedience does not overthrow God’s eternal plan.
A
common mistake is to think:
“If
God wills something, it must be approved by Him.”
Turretin strongly denies this.
God
may decree
something
to happen (secret will)
without approving
of
the sin involved (revealed will).
Example:
God forbade murder (revealed will),
yet He ordained the crucifixion of Christ (secret will),
while holding sinners fully responsible.
“This Jesus… you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23, ESV)
God
willed the event for a holy purpose,
but He did not will the
sinfulness
of
the act.
Turretin is very careful here.
God:
does not cause sin
does not approve sin
does not delight in sin
Yet nothing sinful happens outside God’s providence.
How is this possible?
God wills sin:
not as sin,
but as an event He permits and governs for righteous ends.
He
restrains, directs, and limits sin,
so that it never escapes His
control.
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20, ESV)
This keeps us from:
blaming God for evil, or
imagining evil is outside His rule.
God does not will things because:
creation requires it,
humans deserve it,
or circumstances push Him.
God wills freely.
He is not compelled by anything outside Himself.
“Who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” (Romans 11:35, ESV)
This
is why grace is truly grace.
Salvation flows from God’s will,
not human merit.
God never wills blindly or arbitrarily.
His will is always:
wise
holy
just
good
Even when we do not understand His purposes, we are called to trust His character.
“The counsel of the LORD stands forever.” (Psalm 33:11, ESV)
Turretin
reminds us:
ignorance
of God’s reasons does not mean absence of reasons.
We
are not called to guess God’s secret plan.
We are called to
obey
what He has revealed.
“The secret things belong to the LORD… but the things that are revealed belong to us.” (Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)
Faithful obedience is never wasted, even when outcomes are hidden.
When things happen we did not choose or understand:
suffering
trials
losses
We
rest in this truth:
God’s will is not chaotic or cruel.
“All things work together for good, for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28, ESV)
God has one will, not many.
That will is spoken of as secret (what God ordains) and revealed (what God commands).
God’s will never fails, yet humans remain responsible.
God never causes or approves sin, yet He governs all things.
God’s will is free, wise, holy, and good.
Our duty is obedience, trust, and humble submission.
Turretin does not give us this doctrine for speculation, but for reverence.
The will of God:
humbles pride,
comforts the suffering,
strengthens obedience,
and magnifies grace.
Rightly understood, it teaches us to say with confidence:
“Not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42, ESV)