Ephesians 1:5 KJV – Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will
Ephesians 1:9 KJV – Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself
For purposes of truly understanding what a Last Will and Testament is, it is important to understand in what manner one should create and execute a Last Will and Testament. If we are to emulate the mind of Christ, then an appropriate place to find revelation on this is in Chapter One of Ephesians in verses 5 and 9. In both verses, Paul describes God’s will as being in accordance with and purposed according to his good pleasure.
At first inspection, good pleasure does not typify the manner in which most people think about and make decisions for their Last Will and Testament or their Estate Planning.
Most of the time, there is more of a negative hook that draws them into the process of planning. For example, people plan because they feel they are getting older and need to do it, they want to make sure they plan to avoid estate tax, or they have declining health. Sometimes, people even plan out of anger towards another person. For example, they want to make sure that they can intentionally disinherit another person. All of these reasons are actually valid concerns, but are not according to the good pleasure of the individual. How much more of a rewarding process for everyone would it be if we planned according to our good pleasure?
God has planned and executed his own will for us – according to his good pleasure. Good pleasure to me means for his enjoyment or for his happiness. Also, to me it means for my pleasure as well because his will is done for my benefit and enjoyment as well. The word “good” is really a definition of what God is. God is good according to Psalms 118:1. God equals good. The verses really then are saying that his will is done according to the good that is the very equivalent of God and is the good-est or most absolute pure form of good that there is. This good is the kind of pleasure that exists when his will is planned and executed.
Good can be defined in various ways including free from defects, beautiful, morally excellent, something that is worthy of admiration, something that is useful, profitable, serviceable, kindness or goodness of heart. These meanings are all apparent in how we are to see and experience God’s good pleasure. God himself is the most perfect and flawless form of Good there is. He is Absolute Good.
What then is pleasure? Pleasure to me has a meaning that is more than just my bare needs and necessities. Pleasure is derived from having my most basic needs met, but pleasure really becomes apparent when my desires and fanciful whims become a reality.
Webster’s dictionary reveals that pleasure is from the same source as “to please”. It means desire, inclination, a state of gratification, source of delight or joy. All of our pleasures are really what makes us different from each other. If really adds our defining characteristics.
God’s will, then, is for us, his beneficiaries, according to his most perfect Good and his pleasure are his desires and fanciful whims for us. He takes pleasure from seeing us prosperous. It is his will for us to be prosperous and successful.
God’s original will for mankind was originally revealed in the Garden of Eden. Everything was provided for man there. Adam was able to walk with God in the cool of the evening and talk with him face to face. He had no burdens or cares. There was no sickness or poverty. There was no death. God had created Perfectness for man. The Garden of Eden was created for and provided according to the good pleasure of God for man. This has always been the will of God for us.
Interestingly, the word Eden means pleasure or delight. This is a perfect plan. The Garden of Pleasure is God’s will for us. If we look at the verses again, then it becomes quite clear that this is true. God’s will is the Garden of Eden for us.
Applying this mindset to Estate Planning, we then, should plan according our good pleasure for our beneficiaries and those we love. The result of our planning should be the creation of our own Gardens of Eden or Gardens of Pleasure – providing for and caring for those we love according to our good pleasure. BASED ON FAITH.