Understanding God’s Perfect Will and Permissive Will
In my recent article, God’s Strength in Weakness, I opened the discussion with the saying- “God works His perfect will through imperfect people.”, emphasizing how God’s strength meets us where our own strength ends.
Seeking a Deeper Understanding of God’s Will
As I sought a deeper understanding of God’s perfect will, I found Fr. Mike’s explanation on the Hallow app. He described two expressions of God’s desire for creation: Perfect Will and Permissive Will.
God’s Perfect Will: Salvation and Truth
Perfect Will, also called God’s active will, describes what God directly desires for humanity. For example, God wills the salvation of His people. As 1 Timothy 2:4 teaches, God desires everyone to be saved and to know the truth. Fr. Mike also explained that God stays with us and works for the good of all humanity. This matters because people often blame God for evil, pain, and suffering, asking, “How can a loving God allow this?” That question leads us to God’s Permissive Will.
God’s Permissive Will and Human Free Will
Permissive Will describes what God allows in the world, even when it opposes His active will, such as sin and suffering. God does not cause these things. Because He gives humanity free will, He allows people to choose. Fr. Mike explains that God can use even what He permits to draw us toward a greater good. Through our choices, God invites us to return to Him.
Recovery, Self-Will, and Returning to God
This lesson became meaningful in my own journey through years of alcoholism. I turned away from God and relied on self-will until I reached my bottom. The gift of desperation gave me the willingness to listen to others in recovery and seek a ‘God as I understood Him’. Years later, I returned home to my faith and church.
Trusting God Through Suffering and Choice
God allows suffering because He gives humanity free will. We cannot blame Him for every hardship we face. Instead, honesty invites us to examine ourselves deeply and trust that, no matter what happens, God can use our choices to lead us back to Him.