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1 John 2:17 – And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (NKJV)
I wanted to wrap up the series on “Knowing the Will of God” by giving you a full summary of the series, along with a couple of closing questions. When trying to determine God’s will:
- First off, does God’s Word contain a plain and direct answer to your question or circumstance?
- You have to diligently and regularly search God’s Word and do the hard work of finding out God’s revealed, written Word (2Tim 2.15; Acts 17.11)
- If you find a direct and clear answer, then it simply boils down to a matter of obedience; simple to understand, frequently not simple to actually do. (1 John 5.2; James 1.22)
- A few examples of this might be:
- Can I lie if it is for a “good” reason? No (Colossians 3:9)
- Can we sleep together if we’re engaged and in love? No (Col 3.5; Heb 13.4)
- Is it okay to gossip for any reason? No (Matt 12.36; Prov 17.9)
- My employer treats me bad, do I still have to work hard? Yes (1Thess 4.11-12; Col 3.17; 1Pet 2.18-19)
- Is it okay to treat some people better than others based on their social status or income? No (James 2.2-4)
- If there is no direct answer in the Bible, how do you know God’s Will for the “gray areas” (those things the Scriptures don’t address plainly or directly)
- This is the idea of “working out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2.12)
- Working hard to know God’s Word, praying for understanding, asking the Spirit for guidance
- Ask yourself “is this really necessary?”
- Meditate on Hebrews 12.1; is there “extra weight” involved that could be thrown off?
- Based on your decision, will it matter in 2 weeks or two months or in eternity? Will you still be suffering consequences in 2 years or 20 years?
- How would Christ respond?
- Walk as Jesus would walk; choose, speak and decide the same way the Lord would in your situation (Col 1.10; 1Thess 2.12)
- Is it worthy of my epitaph?
- Determine how you want your life to end up, will this decision help you reach that result, or hinder you?
- Will others be drawn to Christ or turned away?
- Will you’re family, friends, co-workers and those viewing you’re life be drawn closer to Christ or become less interested in God by your decision? It is important for us to make decisions that will make the use of our time to fulfill God’s purpose (Col 4.5)
- What is the most edifying decision I can make?
- Is any choice edifying? If yes, is one choice better than another and bring more glory to God? (1Cor 10.23)
- Which decision will result in God receiving the most glory?
- Don’t ask “what can I do still not be sinning?”; rather, ask “what can I do to bring God the most glory?” (1Cor 10.31)
- There is no higher motivation for making decisions that making the one that will glorify God the greatest
- This is the idea of “working out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2.12)
Here are a couple more questions to consider:
How will this decision affect any of God’s revealed will?
- Has God already led you to some other decision? How does the current decision play into the already known will of God? Will you be unable to fulfill God’s Will if you pursue a certain course now?
- God has revealed that we should be godly parents, godly employees, godly spouses… will this decision adversely affect your known responsibilities?
Will your ministry suffer based on the decision you are considering?
- Will the ministry work you currently participate in suffer in light of this decision? Will you be unable to fulfill or continue your God-given ministry at church, to other or to your family? Or will the ministry work suffer?
Well the good news is, we can determine God’s Will with confidence by putting some effort into it. The bad news is, we can determine God’s Will with confidence, so we don’t really have an excuse for NOT doing it. The Lord will bless your sincere effort to want to glorify Him through the process of discovering His Will.
Father, thank You for giving us a way to know Your will for our daily lives. Help us to have sincere hearts, a discerning spirit and a heart that wants to glorify You. In Jesus name we ask, Amen.
Contemplation: Do you seek God’s Will in all things? Most things? Some things? When things get bad? Or is finding God’s Will reserved only for the “important” things?
Application: The Lord doesn’t want us to take a “shot in the dark” and “hope for the best”. He has promised to lead us, teach us, instruct us and give us wisdom if we seek it diligently in faith..
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?
(seriesid:26)