The Will of God

(Bro. Gene Griffin posted this earlier this week on another mailing list. It is worth sharing!!!)

THE WILL OF GOD is of primary importance to each and every Christian. It is so needful that each believer know how to find God’s will and put His will into practice.

But, what is the will of God?

We determine God’s will to be His purpose and plan, His choice or direction for us. It is basically what He desires for us.

Before we look at how to find the will of God for our daily lives, let us consider several false concepts regarding God’s will.

1. Some feel that God’s will is an unpleasant experience. In other words, they feel that God will ask them to do something or go somewhere that is bad for them. This is a deception of the Devil. The answer to this is that the will of God is good. Rom. 12:2. God always gives his best.

2. Some feel that the will of God is hard to find. In other words, God’s will is difficult to know. The truth is that God wants to show us His will for our lives. The fact that we are still here indicates that God has something He wants us to do. He is anxious to show us His will. The will of God is not hard to find for those who want to know it. There are several reasons why the will of God seems hard to find for some:
(1) Some really don’t want to know the will of God.
(2) Some are double-minded, James 1:5-8.
(3) Some have false concepts that we are dealing with here.

3. Some feel that God’s will is for preachers only. This is obviously very wrong. 1 Cor. 12:18 declares the purpose and function of every member of the body of Christ. In other words, there is a place for each and every member of the human body, so therefore, each member of the body of Christ. If you are saved, God has a will for your life. He has something He wants you to do. You are important to God and not just those in full time Christian service.

4. Some feel that God’s will involves only important things. This is also very wrong. God is interested in small things. For example, He mentions the sparrow (Mt. 10:29; Luke 12:6-7), the hairs of our head being numbered (Mt. 10:30); the widow and her mites (Mk. 12:42-44). Our Lord is interested in the small things of our lives, not just those that we esteem to be important. To Him all things are important.


HOW TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD FOR SERVICE:

1. Dedication, Rom. 12:1-2. The reader should look up and read all Scripture references very carefully, especially this one in Romans 12. Also consider 1 Sam. 3:9 and Acts 9:6. The first step in determining the will of God is that we must be surrendered. We must be yielded to Him. God cannot guide an individual who is not surrendered.

2. Desire, Phil. 2:13. The word "will" here means desire. Where does one get a desire to do anything for God? God gives it! This is God’s call. Then God works in the doing of His will. In other words, God puts a desire upon our hearts to do a certain thing. Our response should be to yield to that will. Then, as we yield ourselves to Him, He works through us in the doing of His will. He puts a desire upon our hearts, then does the work through us as we yield to Him.

This desire comes from a burdened, burning heart that wants to do God’s will above all else, and to honor Him in the process.

3. Destination, Acts 16:9. The next step is: Where does God want us? God is good at steering us in the right direction. This is only possible as we lead a surrendered life day by day. In other words, God guides us as we surrender to Him. Stay surrendered, and God will guide you where He wants you, doing what He wants you to do. It is just that simple. How wonderful our God is!

Put into practice what you have learned here regarding God’s will and how to find it, and you will never want for direction in your life. And you will lead a life of blessedness in His service.

Let us close this chapter by giving some practical observations about the will of God:

1. Be willing to do anything God shows you.
2. Fill yourself with the Word of God.
3. Walk in the Spirit. Lead a surrendered life.
4. Take one step at a time.
5. If uncertain about the next step, keep doing what you are doing presently
until you have clear direction from the Lord.
6. Don’t worry about it.
7. God’s call comes through dedication, desire, and destination.