How do I know...
How Great is God?
God's Will

Hermeneutics
Bible Study

Behind the Scenes
Next Steps
Election & Free Will

Convictions & Standards
Creation v Evolution
Future Events

Jokes
Cartoons
Weird Stuff

copyright © 2001-02

God's Will

God's will: so many questions and discussions arise when this subject is mentioned.

How do I know God's will for my life?

Is there a magical path from which I can slip, losing God's blessing forever?

Are there different levels of His will: a Perfect Will, a Permissive Will, a Substandard Will?

Of course the Bible gives many examples of individuals finding and following God's will. These examples demonstrate that, while God does have detailed plans for our lives, we are not expected to know everything at once. The key to doing God's will is instead based on our obedience to God's commands, a surrendered life, and a conforming to the image of Christ.

An excellent example of following God's will is Paul, miraculously converted on the road to Damascus. He was clearly a believer submitted to God. He spread the gospel throughout the known world. At the end of his life, he could honestly say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." No one could question the fact that he had found and followed God's will.

How did he go about this seemingly elusive task? Did God reveal everything all at once to this great Christian? No! Paul simply obeyed what he knew to do at each stage of his Christian life. Immediately after his conversion, he was commanded to go to the town where he would meet a man prepared by God. He obeyed. The man told him what to do next. Again, Paul simply obeyed. This pattern continues: from his early days as a believer to his final days in Rome, Paul's life is marked by obedience to the commandments he had received. He didn't sit and fret about the future, he simply obeyed today the commands he received.

Other examples would include Joseph, who recognized God's hand in the events he couldn't control. He responded with character and faith, God took care of the rest. Joseph was put in a position of extreme power and was used to save multitudes from famine.

Daniel went into captivity with the conviction to stand in impossible situations. He, too, was led to a position of authority and blessing he couldn't possibly have imagined. Why? Because he obeyed God.

When God gives a command, obedience is clearly His will. Each of these Biblical examples demonstrates obedience to God's commands and therefore a direct following of God's will. Nothing magical. Simple obedience.
Another factor in finding and following God's will is found in Godly desires. The Christian who is in a right relationship with God will naturally desire the things God would intend. Chapter 3 of 1 Timothy hints at this in the statement "if a man desire the office of a bishop (pastor), he desireth a good work." Desire alone is not the proof of it, but it can play a role in God's call.

A third factor is the fact that God is sovereign: He is in control of all things. When He chooses an individual for a purpose, He can open and close doors to lead that person into His will. Again we can look to the lives of the Bible characters previously mentioned. Each one was led at times by events and circumstances into God's intended place. However, too often our focus is on this factor, the miraculous revelation of God's will, instead of the other factors for which God holds us responsible.

But wait, isn't there a miraculous revelation given to those called to the ministry? We always speak of the call of God on a pastor or other leader. While it is true that God has set apart certain individuals for the ministry, we would be wrong to think that we must be struck by lightning or have a spiritual high experience to be called. The call involves the gifts given for the task, the desire and submissiveness of the individual, and the obedience described earlier. God may use other circumstances to lead and confirm the call, but that's His business.