Determining the Will of God

God has a plan for our lives (see Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 5:15-17 & 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3). In this message I will share how it is possible to determine the will of God for your life.

1. Through the use of Scriptures. A lot of things are covered in the Bible that are part of God's revealed and general will for his people. You do not have to think about things that are specifically covered in the Scriptures. The Bible makes it clear what things we should not do and other things that we ought to do. In addition to these matters, God frequently speaks to us through his Word. An example is the Apostle Peter seeing in two passages from the Psalms that another individual should be selected to replace Judas (Acts 1:20-21). Many times God will make something clear to you through a passage or verse of Scripture--even if the original context is not related. So be sure to spend time in the Word.

2. The casting of lots was a method used to discern the will of God in Old Testament times. The early Church cast lots and the lot fell to Mathias and he was added to the eleven apostles (Acts 1:26). This could be a bit chancy--I would suggest that we use our God-given intelligence to research all of the possibilities and then seek wise advice or counsel before making a decision. Have faith God will guide you.

3. The leading of the Spirit. Since Pentecost the Holy Spirit indwells all believers (Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12:13). Jesus indicated to his disciples that one of the things that the Spirit would do for them is to "guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). Christians should look for the leading of the Spirit which can be ascertained through the presence of peace in our lives or the absence thereof. The Spirit will give you an inner sense or conviction of what you should do.

4. Through Prayer. Speak to God, your heavenly Father, using prayer and ask him to show you what it is that he wants for your life. If you are faced with difficult decisions, speak to him as you would a parent and talk it out with him. When you pray things should crystallize or become clearer. Be sure not to do all the talking--allow time to listen for his voice. This is what I refer to as "two-way prayer." Asking others to pray for you or to pray with you is also beneficial.

5. Open and closed doors. When you are faced with several possibilities, after prayer and counsel, select one that seems best and move forward. If God closes the door, look for another one that is open and attempt to go through it. Frequently when God closes one door he will open another but you have to take initiative and move (see Acts 16:6-10; Colossians 4:3).

Doing these things will help you discover God's will for your life--including big or small matters.

God's Word and the Christian

The Apostle Paul gave a charge to Timothy, "his son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). And among other things he had this to say about the Word of God: "From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

I want to point out first of all that the Scriptures are instrumental in salvation. It was an advantage for Timothy, and any other child, to have had exposure to the Scriptures from early childhood. The reason is that it is ultimately the Word of God and the Spirit of God that brings an individual to repentance and faith. In Paul's letter to the Romans, we read, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). In order for anyone to be saved, he or she has to have heard the Gospel.

Secondly, we notice that the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God. "All Scripture is God-breathed" or inspired -- even those parts that contain long lists of names or seemingly insignificant historical passages. If you study the Scriptures carefully you will find that God will speak to you through them. Peter explains how the process of inspiration occurred. "And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21).

Thirdly, the Bible is useful for equipping the saints. This involves teaching and training as well as rebuking and correcting. These terms are somewhat similar but serve to amplify how useful the Scriptures are to the Christian. In the previous chapter, Paul wrote, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). It is certainly correct to interpret the phrase "man of God" and "workman" as including all Christians.

Fourth, Paul emphasizes the importance of the Scriptures to Timothy when he challenged him with this: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

The leadership of the Church and mature Christians need to take Paul's charge seriously especially since we are living in the last of the last days when there will be an apostasy or falling away from the truth. Of vital concern is what does the individual who stands in the pulpit believe regarding the Scriptures. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).