It is recognizing and continually doing
God’s Will
in the course of my life
that determines the outcome of His Will
for my life
Do you ever wonder about “The Will of God for your life” or life circumstances?
I frequently hear people say “I want to know the will of God” when making important or difficult decisions or trying to find their way out of difficult or trying situations.
I often hear people finish their prayers with “IF it be your will” as sort of a polite guess?
Or, as if to say, “I really don’t know Your Will, God, but, here’s what I think” as if we can bring God to our point of view. Sort of imposing our will upon God’s will?
I see some folks wearing a rubber bracelet or sporting a sticker which reads “WWJD?” (What would Jesus do?) I guess that is supposed to make us stop and think about what He would do before we make important decisions or misbehave?
My experience has been that most people, including MOST preachers, are not ready to give a definitive answer to this all important question for their lives: “What is God’s Will for my life” or in this situation?
The phrase “the will of God” and “God’s will” is used a total of twenty-five times in the Bible (that is, if you use the “Authorized version” of the Bible or the New American Standard in conjunction with Strong’s concordance. But, who can really tell with all the versions of the Bible floating around?)
The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us is the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase.
But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.
Here is a novel idea, “why not use the Bible to decide what God says about GOD’S Will and go with that”?
Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:
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1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
-
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
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1Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
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1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Do you want to the see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.
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DO RIGHT.
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RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT
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ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
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IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS
Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?
Think about it.
Also, it is almost impossible to escape from these three ideals in your daily living.
Let’s look at the first requisite for God’s Will in your life: DO RIGHT.
We are constantly faced with the opportunity to DO RIGHT. The choices usually come in the form of a temptation, whether mild or severe.
“Should I clean up my mess before I leave?”
“Should I buy that new car?”
“Should we go to church this Sunday?”
“Should I take the petty cash for my personal use?”
“Should I pay what I owe or spend my money on something I would enjoy?”
“Should I carry on that flirtatious relationship, even though I am married?”
We somehow have the idea that
“God’s Will”
for my life is unique for MY needs or wants.
It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life. (Please, read that again).
God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.
Another way of looking at God’s Will for my life is that I wouldn’t need to ask the question (“what is God’s Will for my life) regarding the various circumstances if I have been doing His Will for my life all along. That is, have I been DOING RIGHT all along?
Here’s another great example: A friend asked me and my wife if she should continue dating a certain man she had met because she wasn’t sure of God’s Will. She says she is looking for a husband.
We asked her to tell us about this man. Turns out this man is married (separated) from a difficult and unfaithful woman with whom he has children.
“So” I said, “he is a married man, fighting with his wife and dating around in front of his children? And you have been dating this man? And you want to know God’s Will regarding this matter?”
In other words, do you want a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING? Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?
To which she replied, “Yes, but, I am lonely”.
Yeah? That can be tough. But, the question isn’t ‘how do you feel today’ but DO YOU WANT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE?
1. (Let’s) DO RIGHT.
(Click here for more on KNOWING and EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE...
Your Brother and Friend in “THE RACE”
Mike Young
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