What Does the Bible Say Is God’s Will? What Did Jesus Say About Salvation in This Context?

 

 

The Bible clearly teaches that God's will is for people to know Him, believe in His Son, live righteously, and receive eternal life. God’s will is rooted in His love, His holiness, and His desire for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Paul wrote:

 

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4, LSB)

 

It is God’s will that none perish, but that all would repent:

 

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, LSB)

 

Jesus Himself spoke often of the Father's will concerning salvation. He declared:

 

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40, LSB)

 

Salvation comes by believing in Jesus Christ—the One sent by the Father. Jesus affirmed:

 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47, LSB)

 

Doing the will of God is essential for entrance into the Kingdom. Jesus warned:

 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21, LSB)

 

The will of God also involves sanctification—living in holiness and obedience:

 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification—that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, LSB)

 

Additionally, giving thanks in all circumstances is part of God's will:

 

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, LSB)

 

Jesus embodied full submission to the Father’s will, even in His suffering. In the garden, He prayed:

 

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39, LSB)

 

Thus, the will of God concerning salvation is that people would repent, believe in Christ, obey His commands, and walk in holiness, thanksgiving, and faithful endurance, ultimately receiving eternal life through Him.

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

1 Timothy 2:3–4, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.”

 

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

 

John 6:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

 

John 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”

 

Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”

 

1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification—that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

Matthew 26:39, “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’”