What is the will of God and how can I know it?
Immediately after Saul trusted the Lord Jesus he asked, “Lord, what will thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6) This is a question we each must ask. But how do we find out the answer?
God’s will has two different aspects:
1. What He decrees (e.g. Acts 2:23 Christ’s death -“the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God”). This will happen regardless of men’s actions.
2. What He desires (1 Timothy 2:3-4 “God our Saviour who will have all men to be saved”.) This may or may not happen depending on whether we listen and obey.
Most of God’s will for our lives is written clearly in the Bible. We just need to read it!
Our Salvation (1 Timothy 2:3-4, John 6:40, 2 Peter 3:9) God desires that everyone would be saved and that none should perish. The Lord Jesus has given his life that this could be possible. But only those who believe on the Lord Jesus will be saved. God has decreed they will have everlasting life and will be raised from the dead at the last day! This is a certainty.
Our Sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3) “This is the will of God, even your sanctification!” This word means ‘being made holy,’ or ‘being set apart.’ God wants believers to be different from those who aren’t. In this passage the main point is that we should be living morally pure lives and not be involved in anything that is sexually immoral. (This includes what we look at, what we think about as well as what we do.)
Ultimately God’s will is that we become more like Christ (Eph 4:11-13), marked by holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16), thankfulness (1 Thess 5:18) and goodness (1Pet 2:15).
Our Surrender (Romans 12:1-2) “Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” God wants our all- body and mind. Am I holding back certain things that I am not prepared to give up for Him?
“Be not conformed to this world.” At every stage of life we face pressure to fit the world’s mould and meet its expectations. Standing out is part of Christian life.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is how we can see God’s good will done in our life. We will only think differently if we are regularly reading God’s word and praying.
“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” C.T.Studd.
It can be difficult to know God’s will for specific decisions in our lives. (e.g. subjects, university/college, work, spouse, where to live). Our own desires can often get in the way. Here are some pointers to help you determine what God wants from your life:
1. Surrender your plans to God. (Luke 22:42)
You will not know God’s will until you are prepared to give up your own. Christ is our perfect example: “Not my will, but Thine be done!” You might have big plans for your future. Would you be prepared to abandon them if God has something else for you? His plans are ALWAYS better! (Read Isaiah 55:9, Philippians 2:13)
2. Wait patiently on God (Psalm 27:14)
If you are unsure of God’s will then wait. Don’t proceed. Keep praying and keep reading the scriptures. God has much to teach us while we wait.
3. God’s Spirit will direct you (Acts 16:6-10)
Paul and Silas desired to spread the gospel. Yet time and again God’s Spirit intervened to prevent their original plans. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will use circumstances or other people to direct us down a different path than we intended. Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways - in all the decisions of life. If we do, He will direct our paths.
4. The benefit of hindsight (Genesis 24:27)
Abraham’s servant could look back at the end of the journey and say, “I being in the way, the Lord led me…”
It is often only when we look back on life we see how clearly God has overruled in our circumstances and guided our way. When the decision had to be made, we prayed, and made a choice based on what we believed God would have us do, according to His Word. For each decision, we knew that “the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee,” (Deuteronomy 31:8) and He will not let us go astray.
Comments