Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1115 God, purpose of

1115 God, purpose of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1010 God, nature and qualities of » 1015 God » 1115 God, purpose of

God has a plan for his creation which he will certainly accomplish. It is carried out through the control of circumstances and his choice and use of people, and above all in the life, death, resurrection and second coming of Jesus Christ.

God's purpose will be accomplished

Isaiah 46:10-11 See also Psalm 135:6; Proverbs 16:4; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Isaiah 14:24,26-27; Isaiah 25:1; Isaiah 55:11; Ephesians 1:11

God's purpose prevails

It stands for ever

Psalm 33:11 See also Job 42:2; Jeremiah 23:20

It cannot be thwarted by human beings

Proverbs 19:21 See also Job 9:12; Job 23:13; Isaiah 8:10; Daniel 4:35

It cannot be thwarted by evil powers

Revelation 17:17 See also 1 Samuel 16:14 The implication is that evil is subject to God's control and operates within the determined limits of his sovereign purpose; Job 1:12; Job 2:6; 2 Corinthians 12:7

It prevails in people's lives and circumstances

Proverbs 16:9 See also Proverbs 20:24; Proverbs 21:1

It is fulfilled through his choice of individuals

Ephesians 1:11 God's choice of individuals does not invalidate their free will to do or not to do anything, nor remove their answerability to God for their actions. See also Genesis 18:19; Romans 11:5; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Examples of the actions of evil people serving God's purpose

God's purpose is founded on divine wisdom

Ephesians 3:10-11 See also Psalm 104:24; Romans 11:33

God's purpose is determined from eternity

2 Timothy 1:9 See also 2 Kings 19:25; Isaiah 25:1; Isaiah 46:10; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20

God's purpose is for his own glory

Exodus 9:16 See also Romans 9:17; Ezekiel 36:22-23; Ephesians 1:5-6,11-12

God's purpose for his people

God reveals his purpose to his people

Its fulness is beyond human understanding

Romans 11:33 See also Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:4-5

It is good and loving

Romans 8:28 See also Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 1:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:9

God's purpose is revealed through Jesus Christ

In the church

Ephesians 3:10-11

It centres on the cross

Isaiah 53:10 See also Acts 4:27-28; 1 Peter 1:19-20; 1 John 4:10

It is God's purpose to redeem the world through the cross

Matthew 26:18,45 Jesus Christ often speaks of his appointed “hour”. In John's Gospel in particular his “hour” refers to the cross. Jesus Christ refuses to allow anything except the cross to be the climax of his ministry (Jn 12:27). pp Mark 14:41; John 7:6-8; John 12:23; John 13:1; John 17:1

It is God's purpose to exalt and establish Jesus Christ as Lord

Ephesians 1:9-10 See also Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:8-11; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:2-4

Jesus Christ submits to God's purpose

God's ultimate purpose is to save

The salvation of people through Jesus Christ

Specific aspects of God's purpose in salvation

2 Corinthians 5:5 knowing heavenly life; Romans 8:29 being conformed to Jesus Christ; Ephesians 1:4 being holy and blameless; Ephesians 2:15 becoming unified; Ephesians 3:10-11 that the wisdom of God be revealed

God wills that people submit to his purposes

God's people should pray for the fulfilment of his purposes

Matthew 6:9-10 pp Luke 11:2

People can reject God's purposes in their lives

See also

Luke 7:30; Luke 19:41-42; Acts 13:46

Examples of God's purposes being worked out

Genesis 45:5-9 in the life of Joseph

Through Cyrus:

Isaiah 41:2,25; Isaiah 45:1,13; Isaiah 46:11; Isaiah 48:14

In the life of Paul:

Acts 18:21; Acts 21:14; Romans 1:10; Romans 15:32; 1 Corinthians 4:19