God's Ability vs. God's Will
I was driving by a church some time ago; and on its exterior wall were huge letters saying GOD CAN. I would pass by this church every day on my way to work, and every day I would see those letters, and every day I would agree with those words… GOD CAN. I doubt anyone would question God’s ability to perform anything. The simple fact that we view God as God we submit ourselves to this truth, usually without question.
However, while we acknowledge God’s power and ability, we must also recognize that power is an attribute of God—and NOT a definition of God. In no place in the Bible does it say, “God is power.” We have thousands of well-meaning Christians who are searching for God through His power, only to come away frustrated because it doesn’t seem to work as advertised. They flock to tent meetings and revivals to see the “power of God” in manifestation, wanting a “touch” from the Lord, and days after the emotion of the experience and the hype of the event wears off, they are back where they started—desperate for another “touch”, or better yet, another “fix” as if it were a drug. Thus begins the cycle of a roller coaster-type existence and relationship with God that eventually manifests itself in ebbs and flows, highs and lows, never reaching a stability that defines the “normal” relationship of which one can be secure and confident. And to make matters worse, we use the religious clichés of being “in the valley” or “in the wilderness” truly believing it to be God’s will for us to have such an unstable existence.
Sad to say but they have been deceived because if one is seeking God through one of His attributes they will not truly know Him. Similarly, you cannot truly know a person by just knowing them through their career, because a career doesn’t define a person—it is simply what they do. I remember a woman who worked with famed serial killer Ted Bundy say, “He seemed to be such a charming man.” You can recognize a person by what he does (fruit), but you cannot truly know him by it. Only through intimate “knowledge” can a person be truly known.
But, the Bible does say, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). God has defined Himself as love; and His love is manifested through His various names: I am the Lord your Healer; I am the Lord your Righteousness; I am the Lord your Provider; I am the Lord your Captain; I am the Lord your Peace; I am the Lord your Shepherd; and I am the Lord who is there.
As with God’s power, these names are only attributes of God that are born from His nature and character, which IS love. God IS love. These names only describe what God CAN do, but love defines what He WILL do. Do you understand the difference?
Therefore, it is not faith in God’s power or ability alone that secures the blessings of God, but faith in His love and willingness to exercise His power on our behalf. So many people I have ministered to have the mindset, “I know God can…” but where they fall short is believing that God will, which is why so few truly see the promises of God come into reality.
Let me give you an example of this… If a man who was a millionaire called a thousand people to meet with him and said, “I am able to give each of you one thousand dollars.” In spite of what the man said, not one person would have any basis of faith of receiving anything. This is because the millionaire only expressed his ability—and NOT his will. Similarly, if he went a step forward and said, “I will give fifty people the sum of $20,000,” still not one person would have any basis of faith of receiving, because how would they know for sure they would be one of the fifty. Yes, each of the thousand would have “hope” they might be chosen to be one of lucky fifty to receive, but still this is not faith because faith is not based on uncertainty.
However, if this man proclaimed, “I am going to give each one of you a thousand dollars” EVERY person would have a strong basis of faith as long as the man’s word was true because there would be no exceptions—none of the thousand would be left out. The man had clearly stated what his will was and knowing his ability, the people would have a strong basis of faith that is based on a promise. And even if there were a shadow of a doubt in a person’s mind, once they saw others before them receive, they would no longer have any doubt—even though they had not physically received the money.
As it relates to God, this is an example of how faith works by love (Galatians 5:6) in that God’s love is NOT manifested through His ability alone, but through His willingness to use His ability for each of us. Although the millionaire never confessed his love for the people, he expressed it through his actions; and the hopeful recipient was encouraged in faith by seeing others before him receive what was promised (Hebrews 12:1).
Consequently, instead of seeking God’s ability, we should be seeking His will. Through the Bible, God has clearly revealed His will regarding many things (reconciliation, healing, deliverance, freedom, holiness, prosperity, success, etc.) however, modern theology has somehow obscured the clarity of God’s will contained in the Scriptures from an absolute certainty to a doubtful possibility, using the faith-killing words, “If it be Your will.” It is as if they need some “special” revelation from God apart from God’s clearly disclosed will as written in the word of God. What an insult to God’s precious word! William Jennings Bryan said, “God said, ‘It is written.’ And even the devil said, ‘It is written.’ So why can’t the preacher say it?”
Additionally, we have circles that acknowledge God’s ability and His willingness to use it, but His willingness is always tied to our performance. “God can heal you, BUT you must do A, B, or C in order for Him to do it. I had one friend tell me that he believed God was withholding His power because He wanted my friend to prove he was sincere. What a perverted way of thinking—that we apply the character of man to our loving God.
This way of thinking needs to be corrected, because as I said, our faith lies in God’s willingness to exercise His power—and this willingness comes through knowing Him and being confident in His promises.
We also have a biblical example of where Jesus—the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3)—corrected a man’s theology concerning God’s willingness to use His power—that He is always willing. We begin in Matthew 8:1-3, When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
This leper did not express any doubt as to Jesus’ ability to help him. Rather, he expressed uncertainty as to His will, which the Lord quickly corrected by saying, I WILL. And once the leper knew what His will was, the power to heal was released and he was healed.
Love is not true love when it boasts of what it CAN do; but love is true love when in light of its ability, it expresses what it WILL do—and then does it.
The apostle John wrote it this way, But whoso has this world’s good and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. [1 John 3:17-18]
John also described how God showed us His love, In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [1 John 4:9-10]
In fact, love is the fuel that activates the dynamic power of God as the Scripture says,
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love. [Galatians 5:6]
If the power of God were a flashlight, faith would be the switch, but the batteries would be love.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the width, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. [Ephesians 3:14-20]
This is teaching that an experiential knowledge of God’s love as revealed through Jesus will result in being filled with all the fullness of God. Then Paul adds this concerning God’s power and its relation to love: Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. It is clearly written that the manifestation of God’s power is linked accordingly to our knowledge of His love. Because His love expresses His willingness to use His power.
For some who are not able to view willing in the correct perspective—with visions of willing as “come kicking and screaming” or with gritted teeth-type of willing. In addition to God being “willing” for you to know Him—and through a revelation in the knowledge of Him, you would know His will (Ephesians 1:17-23), God passionately desires to lavish us with ALL His love and goodness. It blesses Him. It gives Him pleasure. It glorifies Him!
I truly believe that God would rather us doubt His ability than doubt His willingness, because willingness is a reflection of character. I know I would rather hear someone say, “Jeff, I know you would help if you could” than to say, “Jeff, I know you can help, but I doubt your character to do so.”
Truthfully, to doubt God’s willingness is an insult against the nature and character of God.
The Scripture says, For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. [2 Chronicles 16:9]
This means that God is chomping at the bit in His desire to get His blessing and goodness to you. As Jesus said, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [Revelation 3:20]
Jesus also said this, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [Luke 22:15]
The Bible says, Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1:11-12]
Jesus said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [Luke 12:32]
David wrote, Bless the LORD O my soul and all that is within me; bless his holy name. Bless the LORD O my soul; and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. [Psalm 103:1-5]
Seeing His benefits operating in His people actually blesses the Lord. In addition to being blessed, God is also glorified through His promises coming to pass IN and FOR us.
For all the promises of God in him are, Yes, and in him, Amen to glory of God by us. [2 Corinthians 1:20]
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21]
Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believes in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that I WILL DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [John 14:12-13]
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Continue in my love. [John 15:7-9]
But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [Titus 3:4-7]
Oh, what a glorious message that would be on the wall of the church: GOD WILLS!
God wills ALL to be reconciled, healed, delivered, freed, prospered, and blessed with all spiritual blessings and things that pertain to life and godliness! That's great news!
The gospel does not proclaim GOD CAN, but rather the good news is that GOD WILLS and actually that God has already accomplished and finished His work in order to make His blessing available to us by grace through faith.
I find it ironic—and hypocritical at best that the name of this church has CHARITY in its name. Charity, being the English word that is translated from agape, which is Greek for God’s kind of love. Saying, GOD CAN does not fit with true love. As I said before…
Love is not true love when it boasts of what it CAN do; but love is true love when in light of its ability, it expresses what it WILL do—and then does it.
Let us believe and proclaim God’s true message: GOD WILLS! And this is for everyone.
