Surrendering to God's Good and Perfect Will in Trials
Surrendering to God's Good and Perfect Will in Trials
Surrendering to God's will is a crucial aspect of Christian theology, particularly in times of trial. The concept is rooted in biblical teachings, where believers are encouraged to submit to God's sovereignty and trust in His goodness. Romans 12:2 instructs believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discern God's good, pleasing, and perfect will [1].
The idea of God's will being "good, pleasing, and perfect" is echoed in various biblical passages. In I Timothy 2:3, Paul describes God's will as "good and acceptable" [2]. Psalm 54:6 expresses a willingness to sacrifice to God with a "free will offering," highlighting the importance of surrendering to God's will with a willing heart [3].
In the face of trials, believers are encouraged to exhibit patience and trust in God's sovereignty. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, patience is a fruit of trials, leading to experience, hope, and a deeper understanding of God's character [4]. The biblical account of Job's suffering serves as an example, where he responds to loss and hardship with resignation, saying, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21).
John Gill's commentary on Psalms 119:2 notes that those who keep God's testimonies are considered blessed, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's will with God's [8]. Similarly, Adam Clarke's commentary on James 1:3 explains that trials test one's faith, producing patience and perseverance [10]. In James 4:7, believers are exhorted to submit to God's will and be content with their circumstances, trusting in His sovereignty [9].
The act of surrendering to God's will involves submission to His sovereignty in all aspects of life, including times of loss, chastisement, and bodily suffering. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights Christ's example of resignation in the face of suffering, citing Matthew 26:39-44 and John 12:27 [5]. This resignation is not limited to personal suffering but also encompasses trust in God's purposes and providence.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentaries, emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice. In his commentary on 2 Peter 2:9, Gill notes that believers are delivered from temptations and trials through God's mercy and justice [6]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentaries, also stresses the need for believers to submit to God's will and trust in His goodness [7].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (BSB) — Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:3 (LEB) — This is good and acceptable before God our Savior,”
- Psalms “With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. -- Psalms 54:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2:9: That "fear him", as the Syriac version renders it; or that "rightly worship", as the Arabic; such as Noah and Lot, men that know God in Christ spiritually and experimentally; that believe in him, love him, fear him, worship him in spirit and truth, and live soberly, righteously, and godly. This verse is a conclusion from the preceding instances and examples, respecting both the mercy and justice of God; the mercy of God in delivering the godly and righteous "out of temptations"; by which are meant, not the temptations of Satan to sin, distrust, and despondency, though”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 10:48: To be baptized in the name of the Lord - That is, in the name of Jesus Christ; which implied their taking upon them the public profession of Christianity, and believing on Christ Jesus as their Savior and Sovereign; for, as they were baptized in his name, they professed thereby to be his disciples and followers. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days - They felt the necessity of farther instruction, and prayed him to continue his ministry a little longer among them; and to this he no doubt consented. This was properly speaking, the commencement of the Christian C”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:2: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,.... The whole word of God, the Scriptures of truth, are his testimonies: they testify of the mind of God, and of his love and grace in the method of salvation by Christ; they testify of Christ, his person, offices, and grace; of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow; and of all the happiness that comes to the people of God thereby. The law is called a testimony, which being put into the ark, that had the name of the ark of the testimony. This is a testimony of the perfections of God, his holiness, justi”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 4:7: To the will of God, with respect to worldly things, and be content with such things as are enjoyed, and be satisfied with the portion that is allotted; it is right and best for the people of God to leave themselves with him, to choose their inheritance for them, since by all their anxious cares, their striving and struggling, their impatient desires, wars and fightings, as they cannot add one cubit to their stature, so nothing to their worldly substance; and it becomes them to submit to God in all afflictive dispensations of his providence, and be still and know that he”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 1:3: The trying of your faith - Trials put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere.”