The Preceptive Will of God

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Moses with the tablets of the Ten Commandments...Image via Wikipedia

The preceptive will of God relates to the revealed commandments of God's published law. When God commands us not to steal, this decree does not carry with it the immediate necessity of consequence. Where it was not possible for the light to refuse to shine in creation, it is possible for us to refuse to obey this command. In a word, we steal. 


We must be careful not to make too much of this distinction. We must not be lulled into thinking that the preceptive will of God is divorced form His decretive will. 


It is not as though the preceptive will has no effect or no necessity of consequence. We may have the power to disobey the precept. We do not have the power to disobey it with impunity. Neither can we annul it by our disregard. 


His law remains intact whether we obey or disobey it. 


In one sense, the preceptive will is part of the decretive will. God sovereignly and efficaciously decrees that His Law be established. It is established and nothing can disestablish it. His Law exists as surely as the light by which we read it. 


During the next few days, read Psalm 119, which praises the preceptive will of God as revealed in His written Word.


For Further Study 
Romans 12:2: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
John 1:12-13: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Mark 3:35: "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." 

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