Bible Message/Preaching : The Will of God
For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." (Mk 3:35) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (Jn 1: 12-13)
Much has been said about "the will of God" and we see it in every face of life. Some of the most bizarre situations are explained away by just a simple, "It must be the will of God..." and some of the most disastrous failures in life with the person involved trying to explain their actions with "I thought it was the will of God". Due to its sensitive nature, much has been written, preached and counselled concerning "the will of God". Yet our fascination for God's will mostly lies on our own uncertainty of future! Or to put it in harsh words, we want to know the end from the beginning to be sure that everything will go alright - we're reluctant to walk by faith.
Let's look at what the will of God in general is:
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:3-4)
As we see, PRIMARILY the will of God is salvation of whole mankind & their GROWTH towards being like Jesus Christ! A GROWTH OR PROGRESSION in our knowledge of truth in God, and His purpose and plan for us.
God allows a person, place, thing, or situation, that helps us grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. They are part of God's will for our lives. These things or people or situations come into our lives for a time, or for a season, or some others for a lifetime. Problem happens when we are not willing to let the thing that has fulfilled its purpose to pass on, and in holding on to it; we actually frustrate the purpose (or will) of God for our growth.
We spend countless days and hours trying to find "the will of God for our lives". This happens more in our youth than as a mature adult. And it seems that some of the most critical, life-impacting decisions we will ever make (choices about mates and marriage, careers, education, ministry, etc.) are made in the time of our life when we are most unsuited and unprepared to make those decisions... our Youth!
God's Will versus Divine guidance:
Divine guidance is discovering God's will for our life! His specific will cannot be known apart from the process of discovering it as time unfolds when we walk according to the basic principles! The question we must ask is: Am I allowing God's truth to shape my thinking and planning?
We read in the Scriptures: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor 6:12)
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. (1 Cor 10:23-24)
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Cor 10:32-33)
A quick scan of the situation will be to see if: (i) Is it lawful? (ii) Is it beneficial? (iii) Is it enslaving? (iv) Is it edifying? (v) Is it consistent with Christ's Lordship? Is it consistent with Biblical examples ? Is it for the glory of God?
The Scriptures say: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ( Rom 8:14)
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.(Rom 8:26-27)
Let us look to the scriptures for some understanding. What we 1st need is some basic understanding of what the scripture says is the will of God for ALL OF US. Then we will be able to understand personal specifics based on these basic guidelines.
God's Will in general:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, (Eph 1: 3 -11)
"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thes 5:18)
Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority (Jn 7: 16-17)
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.(Lk. 7:30)
In I Thessalonians 4:3-12 Paul writes very specifically, letting us know what the will of God is in daily living.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1 Thes 4: 3,7)
that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. (1 Thes 4:11 -12)
The Will of God for us is:
- That we live our lives in our sanctification and honour set apart unto God; not in sin and uncleanness: Moral purity
- Honesty in our business dealings - we don't lie, cheat or steal.
- We MUST treat one another right
- We should learn to be quiet, and mind our own business and work with own hands - don't be a sloth!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.(Rom 12: 1-2)
Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, (Rom 2: 17-18)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.(Eph 6: 1-8)
Some questions to ask ourself:
- How willing are we to do the Will of God?
- Have I surrendered whole of my life to God?
- Am I willing to serve Christ where ever that maybe and what ever it may mean?
- Do I really want the kind of guidance that God wants?
- Have I counted the costs in following the guidance?
- Will I deny myself, take up the cross and follow Christ into His perfect will for our life ?
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Col 1: 9-12)
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Heb 2: 3 -4)
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;
as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. (1 Pet 2 : 15-16)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (1 Pet 3:15-18)
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1 Pet 4: 1-2)
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Pet 4: 19)
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet 1: 21)
God's Will in personal matters:
All the above mentioned are concerning God's Will in general. But that's not what we're about when we are normally seeking to know the "will of God". It is at those critical junctures of life, when our decisions could change the course of our lives, that we need some insight. How can we make the right decisions so that we do what is pleasing to Him.
Always remember that discovering the will of God and its accomplishment involves our will- commitment, obedience, knowledge and understanding! Most often the problem is with obedience rather than guidance!! Important point to remember is - Be obedient even when you do not know where obedience may lead you! The following are the guidelines to consider when we look for Divine counsel and guidance:
Commonsense:-
Prayer - Have you prayed about it?/ or even Can we pray about it!!
Scriptures - Is it consistent with the Word of God? - what does the Scripture say about this matter at hand? (2 Tim 3:16)
Witness - Can I do it and be a positive Christian witness? Will the Lord be glorified?
Responsibility - Am i acting responsibly?
Gifts & Abilities - Does a realistic opportunity exists? Is it reasonable? (Jas 1 :17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.)
Conscience :-
WWJD- What would Jesus do? John 1:4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men..."
The still small voice that brings God's presence - 1 Kings 19:9-13 Not every voice! But the one after trying the spirits, that brings His presence near.
Divine Intervention :-
Circumstances - Philippians 4:11 be content with what you've, Acts 16:13-15
Provision - Examples such as Manna, water from the Rock, Abraham, Isaac & ram in the thicket, etc
Casting Lots! - Prov 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD. Prov 18:18, Acts 1: 15-26, Lev 16:8- 10
Special Signs/Miracles - Gideon's fleece Jud 6: 36-40
Prophecy/ Revelation - Acts 13:1-2, Acts 16:5-12 the only caution is to try it carefully with the scriptures.
Affirmation :-
Duty - to do the word and not just hear it! Jn 13:17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Desires - Do I have a sanctified desire? Ps 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Godly Counsel - Are unbiased, spiritually sensitive associates in agreement? Pro 11:14
Peaceful heart - Do I've peace about it? and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) Philippians 3:15 "...let the peace of God rule in your hearts..."
God's timing is the most critical factor involved once we determine what the will of God is... and at that point FAITH and PATIENCE are most needed characters in our life. Trusting on God's timing may be the most frustrating exercise of our lives, but it will be the most effective. And after all we must remember that our primary goal is seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness.
Meditation:
Think about current circumstances that you need to seek God will. Can you see any situation that need a change from God's perspective? What can you do about them?
Delivered 10 May 2010
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