In his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders Paul said, “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27).

That phrase could also be translated as the “whole counsel of God.” That’s an important phrase. He hasn’t skipped over the uncomfortable parts or the inconvenient parts; he has been thorough.

This is the perpetual temptation—then and now. We focus on forgiveness, but are tempted to skip over repentance or wrath. We focus on love, but are tempted to skip over holiness. We focus on heaven, but are tempted to skip over hell. You get the picture.

Paul has shared the WHOLE counsel of God. And so should we.

One of the reasons we balk at this is because—deep down—we think we actually know better than God. Why else would we base our decisions and lives on what we think is right instead of what he thinks is right?

Today I invite you to ask yourself a simple question, and then to ponder how you answer:

Are you smarter than God?

Since God is God his will and counsel can’t not be good; it can’t not be best; and it can’t not be the way forward in faith, hope and love.

Paul was confident in the whole counsel of God. And so should we.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.