God's Perfect Will

Author: G. Campbell Morgan
Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1978
View: Traditional

This is a reprint of an earlier publication. The topic of guidance for specific decisions is not discussed until the final Epilogue. Up until that point it appears that Morgan is lauding and commending God's wisdom in revealing his moral will to man. At times this discussion seems to expand to God's sovereign will, but he does not make a clear distinction in terms when he changes from moral to sovereign.

Before the Epilogue there are hints that he may discuss the so-called individual will of God. These hints include the idea of God's will only revealed one decision at a time (121-122) and inner desires as part of God's guidance (129).

In the Epilogue he asks, "How may we know the Will of God for to-day, in all the details of the hours as they come and go; and how may we discover it in any crises that may arise?" (154) The prerequisites are a "readiness to obey" and a devotion "that seeks to know and at all cost follows to do" (155).

Morgan then summarizes his teaching exactly like the traditional view. The will of God is learned "From the Word of God. From the immediate illumination of the indwelling Spirit. From the combination of circumstances" (155).

The role of the Word of God follows his earlier discussion giving Scripture authority as God's guidance. "We are regularly, and devotionally, and intelligently, to study, in order that we may discover the revelation of principles" (156-57).

The illumination of the Spirit is not just helping us understand Scripture. "To the individual believer, who is … indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, there is granted the direct impression of the Spirit of God on the spirit of man, imparting the knowledge of His Will in matters of the smallest and greatest importance. This has to be sought and waited for" (157). He recommends that when you are seeking God's will to "pass into some place of utter loneliness, where only the voice of the Spirit is heard. To such waiting, a clear and definite answer must come" (158).

The role of circumstances is based in the fact that God is ruler over "the opening and shutting of doors" (158). Finally, he emphasizes that you must have all three (Scripture, illumination, circumstances) in harmony before making a decision (160-162).

For Morgan the normal topic of guidance is an afterthought hinted at earlier, but expressed only in the Epilogue. His emphasis is on obeying God's revealed moral will in the Scriptures. But in the Epilogue he clearly he has all the features of the traditional view of guidance. Morgan is a wonderful Bible teacher and used by God greatly in pulpit ministry. But on the topic of guidance, don't use him as a guide unless you want the traditional view of guidance.