The Will of God?

by | May 5, 2021 | Author: Justin Evans, Christian Living

What is the will of God in my life?  How do I know how to find it?

When I hear these questions, I instantly visualize several of my old pastors.  They would draw a circle and place a dot in the center.  Then while pointing to the small dot in the center, they would say, “This is the perfect will of God, and it is our job to find it.”

This terrified me!  My thought was, “Wait, that little tiny dot is the will of God?!? How can I know I hit the target?  What if I live my whole life missing the dot by 3 inches to the left??”

Have you heard teachings like this?  Please don’t hear me wrong, some of these teachings can be helpful.  However, I wanted to write this blog for one simple purpose; to remind us that the will of God is both knowable and doable.  In fact, God intends for us to both know and do his will.  I hope this blog will help you as you think about God’s will for your life.

THE THREE FACETS OF GOD’S WILL

Facet One: Things that are “Plain”

There are certain things in Scripture that are plain.  They are non-negotiables.  They are the things that are universal and timeless.  In other words, these are the things that are true for all people, everywhere, and anytime.  Here are some examples:

  • Exodus 20  God gives his people the ten commandments.  After God reveled this to Moses, Israeli children did not need to wonder if it was God’s will for them to honor their parents.  God said, “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12), and in that moment he revealed his timeless will for the family.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you abstain from sexual Immorality.” It is God’s will for your life to abstain from sexual immorality.
  • Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples” It is God’s will for you be on mission for Christ.  It is God’s will for you to devote your life to making disciples of Jesus.

There are many more scriptures that we could look at, but here is the point of facet one: God’s will is for you to submit to his Word.  We can know with confidence that the things that are clearly and plainly stated in Scripture are God’s will for our lives.

Facet Two: Things that are good

God has a mission to redeem our fallen world, and God’s will is to use us in this mission.  His will for us is to do what is good for his mission.  Here are some examples:

  • 1 Peter 2:15 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”  The will of God in your life is to do what is good as a representation of Christ.
  • Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”  I love this Scripture!  This is God’s will for us; to do good and to be about his mission.

So, here is the point of facet two: God’s will is for you to do good and to be passionate for his mission.  You can be completely confident that God’s will for you is to live a life that exemplifies Micah 6:8.  

Facet Three: Things that Need Discernment and Wisdom

Now for the tough stuff.  There are certain things in our lives that the Scripture do not answer for us.  Should we take a new job?  Should we sell our house?  Should I home-school my middle schooler?  Decisions like these are often the most difficult decisions for us to make.  So let me try to ease your mind and give you some peace.

If the decision that you are making does not violate or contradict the first two facets, if you are living your life in obedience to what God has revealed in his Word, and if you are passionate about God’s mission, then you have the freedom to make your decision along with prayer, reflection, and wise counsel.  Romans instructs us to test so you may discern what is the will of God.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I believe that we are able to “test” our decisions through asking good questions.  What passion has God placed in you? What gifts has God given you?  What do people in your life say?  Have you sought some wise counsel?  What does your church family say?  Let these questions inform and guide your decision through prayer, and by doing that you can help test and discern what is the will of God in your life.  

HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE (If you read nothing else in this post, read this)

It is impossible for a Christian who is submitted to God’s Word, passionate about God’s mission, and connected to God’s people to “miss the will of God.”

How can I say that?  Because God’s will IS for you to be submitted to his Word, to be passionate about his mission, and to be connected to his people.  That IS his perfect will for you, and if you doing these things you are not going to “miss it.”  So take heart.  Relax.  Enjoy the privilege of living a full life for Christ as a child of God.