And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? ...  Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Daniel 4:35, Psalm 115:3

    Among many theologians, and indeed even among many that I have gleaned some wonderful insights into the mind and purpose of God, there exists a doctrine called the "two wills" of God.  And I believe that this doctrine concerning the will of God has been invented in order to explain some of the more seemingly difficult passages one might encounter in Scripture. The two wills theory states that God has elected a limited number of people to salvation in Christ (the first will), but that He also desires that all men would be saved (the "second" will).  In my opinion, this theory is paradoxical and contrary to the word of God.  Man may have more than one "will", but God is so much more than man and not plagued with our limited faculties.

     The logical conclusion of the two wills theory is that God does not always get what He "desires" or "wants". The "two wills" doctrine on one hand portrays an impotent God unable to save an individual out of respect for the 'free agency' of the individual. Yet on the other hand, it also portrays a God at conflict with Himself. What is a person to think about this?

     For me, I reject the two wills theory as false and contrary to Scripture.  I am thankful that Scripture portrays an immutable God who has purposed to glorify Himself through the doing of His will.  Before the foundation of the world, God determined to glorify Himself by the salvation of sinners. He decreed that they would fall in order that His glory would be manifested in their salvation by Christ's sacrificial and substitutionary work on the cross. He also decreed that He would be glorified by the reprobation of many people (Rom 9). Indeed, all the events of history, every particle of dust, all the comings and goings of man were predestined in God's immutable and eternal counsel. Everything occurs because of God's unitary and Sovereign will. May He be praised for His infinite wisdom! Child of God, look around your world and do not worry. Everything in this world, including your circumstances and your difficulties are for your good (Rom 8:28) and ultimately God's magnificent Glory.  God is not at conflict with Himself and He is working everything out according to His pleasure!

"He is in one mind, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth" (Job 23:13)