God's will for you

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: God's will for you

We all have had times (many, probably) in which we've said we wanted to know God's will for our lives. I've heard many varying statements describing how people "know" they have successfully discerned what God's will is for them. Some have said they "feel peace," while others "feel excited, some "hear a voice" inside, while others "get a word of knowledge" from someone else. I confess I don't have one pat answer that will enable a person to always be sure they are hearing God, excepting that the Prophet Isaiah told his people, when speaking about their consulting occult practices, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20) I think that was good advice then, and it's good advice now. Seek out God's Word on the subject. If what you think you are hearing runs counter to what His Word says, you can know you are not hearing Him.

We each "snort" in derision when we hear some murderer or rapist saying "God told me to do it." We know murder and rape goes against God's command. We don't snort quite so loudly, though, when someone follows a temptation we happen to be a little more comfortable with. A brother I once knew had the conviction that gambling was wrong in God's eyes. His wife liked going to Las Vegas. He said they went there because they enjoyed the entertainment and accommodations. On one trip, he said, "God told me to play the slot machines; I won $5000 on the first try." The problem is, I don't believe he asked God for any more "direction" then, or on any subsequent trips. He became quite comfortable with the gambling and thereby lost any credibility he might have had in ministering to those addicted to it. He also lost the conviction he once had as to whether gambling was something the professing believer should be putting their money into. Just because we are comfortable with something doesn't mean it is in God's will.

Just what does God say about His will for us? I believe God trains us on "fundamentals" before HE entrusts us with the more "advanced." A school teacher doesn't attempt to teach calculus or trigonometry to students who have not learned addition, subtraction, and multiplication. We have to know the basics of a subject before we are ready for the advanced. With that thought in mind, let's look at a few verses that speak of God's will for you.

(1) The Holy Spirit is praying it for your life--- And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because HE maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)

(2) That we be with Jesus in Heaven--- His prayer to the Father: Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)

(3) That Jesus doesn't "lose" us--- This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (John 17:39)

So what is His will for me and you?

(1) We're to know what it is--- Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17) We have to study and hear His Word for this to happen.

(2) We're to do it--- Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (Ephesians 6:6)

(3) That we be saved--- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

(5) That we be pure of all sexual immorality, in actions and thoughts (the word translated fornication is porneia, anything outside of God's plan and direction for sex. see Matthew 5:27-28)--- For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

(6) That we live God-fearing lives, not giving the ungodly ammunition to speak against God and His children--- For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15)

(7) That some may suffer a while at the hands of the lost for doing good--- 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 Peter 4:19)

None of these things can be accomplished by our "gritting our spiritual teeth" and trying hard. They each can be accomplished only one way, that is by our daily practice of the following: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Think on these clear statements of God's will for your life, then ask God to help you live them out. As you are obedient in what you do know, you will begin to understand more of His will for you, as that sharpens your spiritual discernment. Jesus said If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)