God’s Will
The war in the Middle East escalates. American citizens are being held hostage while protests siding with those who chant 'Death to America' are increasing. Our State Department has issued a 'worldwide caution' alert. What's God's plan moving forward? Are these events racing us to the end times? I don't have the answers to those questions.
However - is there anything specifically you can personally do to change any of it..? Can I say or do anything that will personally end the war between Israel and Hamas..? Can I do anything that will ensure we're not headed towards WWIII? Not really. I can certainly pray - and I encourage all of us to do a lot of that right now – but ultimately, God's Will, on a worldwide level, will play out. And God will steer events, even tragic events, for His Kingdom's purposes.
I guess what I'm suggesting is - rather than me worrying about God's Will on a universal level - maybe it would it be more beneficial for us to focus on God's individual will for us? I can speculate on how God's Will is playing out around the globe - or, I can seek to fulfill God's will for my individual life. I have no control over how things will unfold in the world - but I can control my choices and how they align with God's will.
Over my years in ministry, I've been asked the question, "What is God's will for my life?" I don't fully know, but I do know that the answer to that question shouldn't be posed to just another traveler along the path of life – but directly to God. If we are seeking God's will – doesn't it make sense that maybe we should start our search with Him?
I can't answer everyone's specific 'path' on God's Will per se, but I do want to look at God's word to see what He has to say on the subject. I don't have all the answers, but there are some things that are very clear from scripture. First, I want to look at some misconceptions that some may have concerning God's will. Let's look at what…
I. The will of God is NOT...
In order to figure out what His will is, let's start by looking at what it's not. I've seen situations where a person is praying almost begrudgingly for God's will because they just know God's gonna make them do something they don't want to do. "O Lord, Thy will be done, but please don't make it hurt too bad... Thy will be done - but please don't make it be _____." We need to remember - and I know this for a fact - that God's will for you is not…
A. Bad
God's will for you is not to harm you, but to benefit you in the very best way! Sometimes we look at God's will as if it's some bad tasting medicine that we have to endure. In some situations, almost as a last resort we say, 'Lord your will be done...' and then hope for the best. The Apostle Paul wrote this in Galatians 1:3-5 (NIV)...
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, (4) who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (5) to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The 'will of our God' is to rescue us, not to force His will on us. We don't have to fear that God is going to ask something that will not be in our best interest or will turn sour on us. God's will for you is not bad - it will be the best of all options. I've heard of people spending years 'seeking out' God's will. Now, it may take a lifetime to figure out some specifics along the way – but God's will isn't lost! You really don't have to look that far, just open up the Bible! David wrote this in Psalm 40:8 (NIV)...
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
King David wrote that God's Law is in his heart. How did it get there? How did he know God's will in his heart? - He studied the scriptures! He read them; he thought deeply about them, he practiced them! David made it a priority to know what God has said. Sometimes, when you find yourself seeking God's will, it's because you haven't spent enough time in the Word. If the only time you hear anything from the Bible is when the preacher reads it on Sunday morning, that's a problem.
In the world of fitness - there's a saying, "You can't out train your diet." Meaning, if you eat lots of 'junk food' and skip all the good nutritious stuff - all the training in the world won't be able to make up for your lack of discipline in how you eat. In a spiritual sense - if your 'diet' consists of just about everything the world wants to feed you, but you neglect feeding on God's Word - you won't know God's Will. "You can't out train your diet."
When you spend real time in the Bible, you will learn that God's will for you is good and for your benefit! But another thing that God's will is not - God's will is not…
B. Based on circumstances
You've heard the phrase 'situational ethics'? It's the idea that basically says: it's wrong to steal, however, if you're in a tough spot, maybe out of work and hungry, then it's maybe okay to steal some bread. Would we blame a hungry man for stealing bread? Not many of us would - I wouldn't, but can our particular situation justify stealing, breaking one of God's basic Ten Commandments?
There was a man who went to his friend, a minister, and asked if God would forgive him for what he was about to do. As the friend questioned, it came out that the man had decided to leave his wife of the past 10 years. He stated that he had fallen out of love with her and had found another woman with whom he had more in common. He asked again – would God forgive him for what he was about to do.
The friend said simply – 'no', God would not forgive him. "Why not?" the man responded in frustration! "I thought God could forgive anything?" "Yes, He can", stated the friend – "but why should God be obliged to forgive you when you know good and well that what you're about to do goes against God's will? When you made your vows, it was God's will for the two of you to stay married. The only thing that's changed is your feelings – not God's will."
That's not a popular response in today's culture. Frequently, we hear people say, 'Well I know it's wrong – but…' 'I know I shouldn't do (fill in the blank), but…' God's will is God's will, it doesn't ebb and flow with our particular wants and desires or the whims of modern culture.
Now, of course, I'm not suggesting that divorce is the unforgivable sin - but I am saying that people often choose to ignore God's will even when they know better. There's a big difference between asking for God's forgiveness and asking God for permission to break His commands. And there's a whole lot to be said for a contrite heart and repentance – that goes a long way to showing submission to God. God's will is not based on circumstances, but on what God has revealed to us in His word. And we also need to understand that God's will is not…
C. Contrary to His revealed Word
One young woman, a believer, said, "Well, I prayed about moving in with my boyfriend and I feel that God is okay with my decision." But God's Word says, 'Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure'. Now it's not my intention to judge - but rather to speak truth and lift people up. But would God give an answer to prayer that contradicts what His Word says...?
And many people do this same sort of thing on many subjects that are discussed in scripture. If you are called to be a disciple, you will learn to live a disciplined life. God will not tell you that you can do anything that contradicts what He has already said in the Bible. If you hear a little voice that says 'a little sin isn't a big deal' – it's not God's voice.
So let's now take a look at what God's will IS...
II. The will of God IS...
God's will for your life, the first thing, unequivocally, is that you be…
A. Sanctified
'Sanctified' means 'to be set apart as holy'. That's the starting point that many people miss in God's will. First and foremost, Gods desires that you spend eternity in Heaven with Him! God wants you to be saved! God wants us to avoid the garbage of this world so that we can then serve Him unhindered. Too often, we try to live just like everyone else and fill our minds with everything they do, and then we wonder why God isn't giving us special insight into His will.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; (4) that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, (5) not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; (6) and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. (7) For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (8) Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
God's will for your life is that you be saved and sanctified, and in order to do that - you need to be surrendered to His will. What I'm talking about is a decision, out of strength, to choose to humbly, everyday give your self over to God. It takes a strong person to voluntarily give up their will to serve God's will.
Being a servant is usually not high on the list of preferred vocations, but it is part of God's plan for your life. If you're asking God, "What do you want me to do Lord?" He's probably answering, "Go serve someone".
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (14) The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
And we become sanctified by serving. And here's something else about God's will that many miss. God's will for your life may also be that you…
B. Suffer
I'd prefer to avoid this subject, but it is somehow a part of God's will for you. 'But, I thought you said earlier that God's Will isn't bad? How can you now say that it's God's Will that I suffer...?' The Apostle Peter understood this seeming contradiction and wrote several chapters about it in the book of 1st Peter. Mark this down and maybe read it later - chapters 3 and 4. But I wanted to pull out some key verses, starting with 1 Peter 3:17 (NIV)...
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
In a discussion about living differently from the world - Peter actually suggests it might be God's will for us to suffer. And then he repeats this thought again in 1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)...
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
For most of us, there will be some suffering for God's sake here on earth. Is it that God desires 'bad things' for us? No, God desires that we be saved from this world! But until the time that we're taken home, because there is evil in this world that will oppose good – Christians who serve, who take a stand for Jesus will suffer.
Some of us are suffering, but NOT for doing good, but for violating His commands. That's not the suffering we're talking about, but suffering for doing the right thing. If doing the 'right thing' were easy and painless, everyone would be doing it. Sometimes doing the right thing has to be difficult in order to mold us into the people that God wants us to be. It's part of that whole 'sanctification' process - molding us into effective servants in the image of Jesus...
God's will for your life may include suffering. Now, IF you have a relationship with God, you're a baptized believer, IF you are sanctified, trying to set yourself apart for God's work to serve others, IF you are suffering for doing good - THEN, God's will for your life is…
C. Whatever you desire *
And remember that asterisk there – we'll come back to that...
Years back, my father was looking for a ministry, and he had several options of Churches who were hiring. He prayed about the decision, but didn't feel lead to any particular answer from God. He'd been taking Seminary classes at the time, so he decided to ask his professor - who gave him a rather unexpected answer. His professor said, "What makes you think God cares?" What..?
That didn't sound like a good answer from a very Biblically educated man. But he went on to explain - it's not that God didn't care, but perhaps God didn't have a real preference as long as my father was serving somewhere. Sometimes God does point us in a very specific direction. But other times, because God allows us free will within the preferences He's already built into us - as long as we're serving Him, there are many paths that are within God's Will.
Your gifts, your passions, your desires, your choices - "They can all lead to God's Will' - IF it's your heartfelt desire to serve God.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Remember the asterisk on this one? This verse is not saying that God will give you all the material possessions or things you desire, but in a sense He will give you the "desires" themselves - they will be from GOD. In other words, if you're seeking to please God, He will change your heart to crave what He craves. Then He will pour out His blessings to fulfill those cravings.
If you are truly seeking to please God, what you desire will be completely within God's will for your life. You won't have to wonder from choice to choice - circumstance to circumstance. If something is God's will for your life, AND you are seeking with all your heart to please Him first and foremost, God will continue to bless your choices. And He will give you wisdom to choose what's best - both for you and for His Kingdom!
So What?
I don't know how God's will is going to play out on the world stage. But I do know it's God's will for me to pray for Israel – and I can know God's will for my life. God will never reveal His 'special will' for you, if you're not willing to do His revealed will. In other words, if you aren't doing what God has already told you to do in the Bible – why would He give you any insight into other decisions on which you might seek His advice?
I heard someone once say, "What God has called you to do, He has gifted you to do, and what He has gifted you to do, He has called you to do." Understanding the will of God for your life is much easier when you look at your gifts and abilities. We see that if you are truly seeking God, your desires will lead you in the right direction. The way God 'wired' you, the way He created you, the things you naturally enjoy - those things can point you in the right direction.
Instead of spending so much energy 'looking for God's will' - look where God has gifted you and start using those gifts. Do what God has told you to do in the Bible, find ways to use your gifts to serve others and you will have no problem seeing God's will along the way!