How to Know God’s Will
Everybody naturally wants to live well, but what
does that look like? And how do we get there? If we choose “Door #1,” how do we know “Door #2”
wouldn’t have been the better choice?
Life is full of choices. Without knowing the
future, it is often difficult to know what the best decision is. What if we
make a mistake?
God wants us to live well. Thankfully, He knows the
future. He knows the best way for us to experience abundant life in Christ –
and He wants us to know it too!
God doesn’t hide His will or make it difficult to
find. It is readily available to those who want to know and follow Him.
The best life to live is the one lived according to
God’s plan for us, but how do we know what that plan is? What if I have the
best intentions but still miss the mark on following God’s plan for me?
Thankfully, God does not leave us alone to try and figure out how to live life.
Nor does He simply leave it in our hands to hope we get it right in finding His
specific plan for us. We can know God’s will, and as we seek to follow Him, He graciously
provides avenues for us to know and follow His will.
Seeking God. Spiritual transformation occurs as we get to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. Central to that is the ability to discern what He desires to do in us and through us. As we seek Him, He gives us the guidance we need to live in conformity to His will.
This will probably be a two (2) week teaching lesson of the six lessons!
So, START READING...
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
“We think you’re
extremely qualified,” the executive headhunter pronounced. He had told me about
a wonderful job opportunity. But there were complications. My wife and I were
happy in our current life. The job would entail moving to a different state. I
lived close to my aging parents. How would this affect them? How would this
impact my children? Was a move financially prudent? My head was swimming with
questions.
I wanted to do God’s will—but what was it? I didn’t want to make a
mistake with my life! How could I be certain which choice was God’s best for my
future?
Have you been there? Some decisions are
painless, like what we’ll wear or where we’ll go for lunch. But many other decisions
are life-altering. Should I apply to this college or that one? Should I marry this
person? Should I apply for that position? Should I buy this house?
Our life is the sum of
the choices we make. Let’s consider how
involved God desires to be in those decisions—the big ones and the little ones.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
READ Ephesians 1:4-6
4 For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in
his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his
glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
God knew what you would do today. He
has known for a long time. He not only sees everything that is happening at
this moment, but He knows everything that has ever occurred or will take place
in the future. God is actively involved in His creation, working out His
purposes, day by day, year by year, and century by century. Every plan God
has for His creation enjoys the full backing of heaven to ensure its success.
God knew you before the earth was
formed or time began. Meditate upon that!
You are no accident. Not only was He planning for you, He chose you.
- Chosen in Christ. God chose us “in him.” We are not chosen apart
from Christ. We are not chosen by God for anything we have done or would
contribute to His kingdom. Being chosen by God is wrapped up in our
relationship with Christ.
- Chosen to be holy and blameless in love. Christ is holy and
blameless, and because we are in Him, we are holy and blameless. We still
falter and sin, but we are forgiven in Christ.
- Adopted as His sons. God adopted us “for himself,” that is, for a
relationship with Him. God did not choose us simply so we could be religious,
keep commandments, or renounce worldly pleasures. He claimed us so we could
spend an eternity enjoying fellowship with our loving, heavenly Father.
- Chosen according to the pleasure of God’s will. God’s focus is on
ensuring that His good and perfect will comes to pass. When it does, we
experience the full measure of God’s boundless love, and we bring praise and
glory to God. God selected us so our lives would bring glory to Him. A life
that is not glorifying God is missing its eternal purpose.
It’s
breathtaking to consider that almighty God would choose us!
READ Romans 11:33-36
33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of
the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that
God should repay them?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
While the truth that
God chose us to have a relationship with Him in Christ is amazing, it does
raise questions. Does God choose us even if we don’t want Him to? Does God
choose some people but not others? How can we know what God’s will and purposes
are?
In Romans 9–11, Paul went deeper
into the subject of God’s purposes. He presented God’s divine election in terms
of both Israel’s unbelief and God’s mercy to those outside Israel. He raised
the issue of God’s seeming injustice because He shows mercy to some but not to
others. Admittedly, this is a difficult section of God’s Word, and Paul himself
called the topic “this mystery” (Rom.11:25).
Even today, Christians want to fully
understand and explain the relationship between God’s sovereign will and our
own free will. And while it is a worthwhile endeavor to study, keep in mind
that the apostle Paul was a brilliant man. He had received the best education
available; nevertheless, he stood in awe of God’s knowledge and wisdom.
When
it comes to the wisdom of God and the ways He works among us, we must end the
discussion with the same declaration Paul made at the end of Romans 11: “Oh,
the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (v.33).
Paul
didn’t shout this with a voice of resignation, but with a humble awareness of God’s
greatness.
Since
there is an infinite disparity between our knowledge and God’s, how should we mere
mortals relate to our almighty Creator? God has an answer to our most difficult
questions. He knows the future. He knows the purpose for which He created us.
READ Romans 12:1-2
1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true
and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Paul
began this section by saying “therefore.” What he was about to write is based
on all he had written in the first eleven chapters of Romans. Christ saved us
and made us free. God adopted us as His children and made us fellow heirs with
Christ. In light of the magnificent gifts God freely gives us, Paul urged us
“to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.”
The
language Paul used reminds us of an Old Testament sacrifice. The difference is the
sacrifice he called us to make is a “living sacrifice.” Of course, the
challenge of offering a living sacrifice is keeping it on the altar!
Many
Christians struggle with surrender. As with all sacrifices offered to God, the
sacrifice of our lives must be holy and acceptable to Him—and that means not
just any sacrifice will do! We are called to a total surrender of
everything.
Paul
urged us not only to surrender ourselves to God, but to resist the corrupting
influence of sin in our world. Our culture is permeated with ungodly, evil,
self-centered messaging that bombards our hearts and minds. The world
constantly tells us that we deserve to be happy and to do whatever we desire.
Such thinking leads to self-centered, destructive, and immoral living. It
certainly does not glorify God. Therefore, Paul urged us not to allow the world
to shape us into its mold with its values and perspectives. Rather, we are to
allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so we see people as God views them and
we value what God esteems.
It is
tragic that, too often, Christians act and think just like non-Christians. They
approach money, material possessions, politics, and social issues the same way
unbelievers do. This is because, though they may have become Christians, they
have never allowed the Holy Spirit to transform the way they think.
We
must allow our thinking to be transformed and set free by the Holy Spirit who
knows what is good and holy and pleasing to God. It is only when God renews our
minds, enabling us to have the mind of Christ so we think as He does, that we
are able to know, appreciate, and embrace God’s perfect will for our lives.
LIVE IT OUT
When we base our life on
our best thinking, we short-change ourselves. Consider the following
applications.
- Review. Sometimes it’s easier to see the purposes of God by
looking in the rear view mirror. Look back on key moments in your life and
consider how God was at work in each of those situations. Make a list of your
findings as a reminder that God is at work even though you may not fully
understand how.
- Praise. Praise God for His love and mercy. Thank Him for working
in your life to accomplish His will.
- Share. Share with your group or close Christian friends’ ways that
the world is trying to conform your thinking. Pray together that your minds
would be renewed in the ways of God.
Aligning our will to
God’s will is a challenge due to the many distractions and temptations around
us and our own desire for the flesh. But thankfully God has given us His Holy
Spirit to lead us forward in His will.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
I’m not mechanically
inclined. I once bought an assemble-it-yourself bedside table. As I began the
assembly process, I discovered the back panel was too small. Frustrated, I
returned to the store and exchanged it for another. I started the assembly
process again, and to my dismay, the second table also had a back panel that
was too small. My frustration morphed into anger.
I was cramming
everything back into the box and rehearsing the speech I was going to give
customer service about their second-rate product when it dawned on me that
maybe I should glance at the instructions. Lo and behold, the back panel had to
be unfolded. It was bent in two for shipping. When I unfolded it, it fit perfectly!
Oh the grief I could have saved myself if only I had read the instructions!
The Bible is life’s
instruction manual. It teaches us how to live in every major issue we face in
life. It provides a sure guide to success and joy. Unfortunately, too many
people fail to read the instructions! The first step to knowing God’s will is
to read the owner’s manual: His Word.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
READ Psalm 19:7-10
7 The
law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the
heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear
of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and
all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure
gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
In the opening verses of
Psalm 19, the psalmist David described the nature of creation’s witness. “Day
after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They
have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them” (19:2-3).
Though creation delivers a message about the Creator, it does not speak in
detail about what the Creator is like or what He expects of His creatures. For
that, additional revelation is required.
Thankfully, God has
given us that revelation about Himself. The pages of Scripture are God’s
revelation to us about Himself, who we are, and how we are to live in relation
to Him. Psalm 19:7-9 mentions six aspects of God’s Word that provide everything
needed for us to know how to live life to its fullest. These descriptions
reveal the breadth and depth of God’s Word.
- “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” Scripture has been guiding people to have successful, joyful, meaningful lives for over two thousand years. Medical books, encyclopedias, and even weight-loss books have value for a season, but they rapidly become obsolete. The instruction found in the Bible does not grow out of date nor is it any less effective from one generation or culture to another. It continues to have the ability to renew our lives, restore us when we’ve failed, and empower us to face difficulties.
- “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Heeding God’s instruction makes us wise. God offers wise counsel for every major challenge and responsibility of life. You may never have had children before, but the Bible can guide you to make wise parenting decisions. You may never have led before, but the Bible provides wise counsel for leaders of any organization. You may never have dealt with major pressure or temptation before, but the Bible can astutely guide you to overcome any challenge.
- “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” Rather than being a burden, God’s Word brings joy, for it protects us from sin, failure, and guilt. Righteous living leads to joy, not legalism.
- “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” The world compares us to others, leaving us envious. Scripture compares us to Jesus and gives us hope we can be like Him. Incorporating Scripture into our lives makes us come alive!
- “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” Every time we open a Bible, we have the opportunity to encounter Almighty God. That ought to take our breath away! When we approach God’s Word, we come face to face with His unadulterated truth that does not change.
- “The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.” You can stake your life on the Bible! Its instruction is entirely reliable at any time, in any place, for any person. It is righteous, so it will never lead you astray.
The psalmist concluded
by declaring that God’s Word is like gold and honey. Gold is extremely valuable
and represents success for the one who possesses it. Honey brings joy and
pleasure! God’s Word not only leads to success, it also fills us with joy!
READ Psalm 19:11-14
11 By
them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can
discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from
willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great
transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be
pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Most people have
regrets. There are things we wish we had said—or not said. There are actions we
regret taking—or not taking. There may be sins from our past that oppress us
with guilt and shame. The psalmist David certainly had regrets. Yet his most
grievous mistakes were not the result of ignorance, but because he ignored
God’s clear instruction. Had David always
followed God’s directives, he would have avoided most of the mistakes that
plagued his life.
David observed that
God’s Word warned people of danger and offered rewards. For example, Proverbs
16:18 cautions, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a
fall.”
There are rewards that come to those who heed God’s Word. Perhaps you
were offered a new job opportunity. It pays more money than you currently make
and you are eager to accept it, but the next morning you read Proverbs 11:14:
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
You feel convicted that you have not sought counsel from anyone before you make
this major decision, so you call upon three mature Christian friends and ask
their advice. They all point out problems with the job and how it could
adversely affect your family. You heed their counsel and decline the job. Soon
after, you receive an unexpected promotion at work. You realize it would have been
disastrous to accept the earlier offer. Your family is blessed because you
heeded God’s Word.
David noted in verses
12-13 two kinds of sins.
- Unintentional sins. We might not be aware that what we are doing is wrong. In
such cases, Scripture will highlight those areas of our life and show us the
right way.
- Willful sins. We know full well we are sinning and we stubbornly choose
to do so anyway. This reflects a rebellious heart that needs to be transformed.
When we live our lives
by Scripture’s guidance, we can avoid committing either type of transgression.
As a result, we can live a life that is blameless. Being blameless produces a
life that is free from guilt, shame, and regret. It represents the path to
freedom and joy.
The psalmist prayed
that his words and thoughts would be acceptable to God. It is one thing to
guard our words; it is quite another to guard our thoughts! Our thoughts are generally
far more evil and uncontrolled than our actions! Yet God’s Word can do far more
than merely police our actions; it can go deep into our minds, hearts, and
souls, to change the way we think. God’s Word “judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
David concluded by
calling God “my Rock and my Redeemer.” Rocks provide a solid foundation. When a
house is built upon a rock foundation, life’s storms cannot bring it down.
Likewise, a redeemer restores what has been lost; he frees another from
bondage. When we build our lives on God’s Word, we are building a life on the
One who gave us that Word, our Rock. His Word leads us to Christ, our Redeemer,
who sets us free.
How then should you
use God’s Word? As you read it, place your life up against it. Anywhere your
life falls short of God’s standard, repent and ask God to cleanse and change
you. Meditate upon God’s Word. Let its truths soak deep into the depths of your
soul so it conforms you into the image of Christ. Trust that as you read
Scripture, the Holy Spirit will highlight anything that needs to be adjusted in
your life. God wants to guide you daily as He makes you like Jesus.
LIVE IT OUT
How is God seeking to
guide you through His Word this week? Consider the following applications.
- Read. Make Bible reading a daily habit. If this is a new
discipline for you, start with five minutes. As you read a passage, pray for
God to help you understand and apply His truth to your life.
- Meditate. Reflect deeply on what you read daily. It may just
be one verse that grabs you, but meditate on its truth. Journal and write down
your thoughts, reactions, and plans based on what God has said in His Word.
- Pass it on. Let others know how God is growing you through His
Word. Join with others in a Bible study group and discuss His Word. As you
grow, God may be calling you to lead a Bible study group. Help others to grow
through God’s Word even as you have.
It’s mind-boggling that
the Almighty God has given us an instruction manual for life. The next time you
open your Bible, do so prayerfully, submissively, expectantly, and with a pen
in hand; He will surely give you the direction you need!
Even as we read this, we
might struggle to fully agree with Jesus! We are constantly being bombarded
with the world’s values and perspectives while we often spend inadequate time
allowing God to impart His thoughts to our hearts and minds.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
My wife Lisa and I
once led a marriage enrichment weekend. As we walked to the podium to speak on
the first evening, I wiped my nose with a tissue. Somehow, a piece of tissue
came loose and stuck to the end of my nose! Mortified, Lisa tried to alert me
to my ridiculous appearance. She muttered under her breath, “Wipe your nose!”
But I didn’t hear her. She scribbled on my notes, “Wipe your nose!” But I
didn’t notice.
The irony is that we
were teaching on communication in marriage! Standing beside me was someone who
knows and loves me more than anyone, yet she could not get my attention. It was
the last marriage enrichment weekend we ever led.
To
a far greater degree, the Holy Spirit loves us unlike anyone else. He knows all
of God’s plans and purposes for our lives, and He desires for us to know God’s
will. Since we cannot see Him, how does He communicate God’s plan? In the Book
of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke on the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us know
God’s will.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
READ 1 Corinthians 2:6-8
6 We
do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of
this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we
declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for
our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it,
for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Are you ever surprised
or even offended by the opinions of people at your workplace or in the media?
You shouldn’t be. The worldview of a Christian is considerably different from that
of the world.
In His Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus repeatedly said, “You have heard that it was said . . . But I tell
you . . .” (For example, see Matt. 5:21-22.) Jesus was constantly correcting
common assumptions and attitudes of His day.
- People store treasures in this life; Jesus urged us to invest in the next
(6:19-20).
- People assume it is best to be served; Jesus said it is better to serve
(20:26).
- People want to be first; Jesus said it is better to be last (19:30).
Paul said he was
speaking words of wisdom for those who were spiritually mature; however, those
who think like the world would be unable to comprehend what he was saying. The
more mature we are in Christ, the more God’s Word makes sense to us. The writer
of Hebrews compared this process with the difference between drinking milk and eating
meat.
This helps explain why
people respond differently to the same sermon. Some people are worldly minded
and the message is incomprehensible to them. Others are spiritual infants. They
can only digest “milk” truths. Those, however, who are spiritually mature will
eagerly grasp the “meaty” words being shared and will receive significant nourishment
for their souls.
God’s wisdom is a
“hidden wisdom.” This means God’s truth cannot be discovered apart from God
revealing it. God’s truth cannot be understood, unless the Holy Spirit opens our
hearts and minds to comprehend and receive it. That’s why skeptical atheists
can read the Bible a thousand times and yet remain unmoved by it. They can
analyze the Hebrew and Greek text and debate with the most brilliant Bible
scholars on earth, but unless the Holy Spirit opens their understanding to the truths
in God’s Word, it appears as foolishness to them.
God’s ultimate wisdom is
connected to the person and work of Christ. When we understand God’s wisdom, we
see Jesus Christ for who He truly is. This summarizes God’s eternal purposes
and work for humanity.
Even as we embrace God’s
wisdom and walk in the truth of who Jesus is, we should never assume we have
“arrived” spiritually. Those who are spiritually mature never assume such a
position; instead, they humble themselves before God, acknowledge the lordship
of Christ, and surrender themselves to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. By His
wisdom He leads us deeper into spiritual growth.
READ 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
9
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who
love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The
Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a
person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one
knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Some world religions
portray God as a distant, unknowable deity who cannot be approached or
conversed with by mere mortals. Others view Him as a mysterious god who remains
hidden. It’s only Christianity that understands God as a Trinity.
- God the Father, who
plans and purposes His will for all creation.
- God the Son, who
carries out that will and who came down to humanity so people could know what
God is like.
- God the Holy Spirit,
who reveals God’s will and implements into our lives all that the Father
intends and the Son has wrought.
No one can know what’s
in a person’s mind. Only the person’s spirit knows what that individual thinks
or intends to do. Likewise, only the Holy Spirit knows what God thinks and
intends for His creation. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we have
Someone within us who knows all of God’s intentions.
Tragically, many
Christians don’t know what to do with the Holy Spirit who indwells them. Yet Jesus
said the Holy Spirit would work in our lives in the same way the Holy Spirit
related to His twelve disciples. Just as Jesus had to teach His disciples to
have faith, so the Spirit will teach us to trust Him, so we can believe God for
all He wants to give us.
The Spirit reveals the
will of God and seeks to work in our lives. The key is to not resist the Holy
Spirit as He works. He will not force God’s best upon us. We must cooperate
with the Spirit as He reveals and seeks to implement the Father’s will in our lives.
We must learn to recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives and make any
adjustments He calls for.
READ 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
12
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is
what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The
person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit
of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they
are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes
judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human
judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Christians
just don’t make sense to non-Christians oftentimes. There may be times when the
Holy Spirit will lead you to do something that bewilders unbelievers. The Spirit
might convict you to start tithing your income to your church. Giving away ten percent
of your hard-earned money will make no sense to most unbelievers! Or the Spirit
may lead you to spend significant money to go on a mission trip. Your
non-Christian colleagues at work may be bewildered why you would spend your
vacation time ministering to the homeless in Haiti.
Don’t
be surprised when your obedience to God’s promptings causes others to question
you; for if they’re not led by the Spirit themselves, they have no ability to comprehend
spiritual matters in your life.
Paul
concluded this chapter by declaring, “But we have the mind of Christ.” This is
the ultimate spiritual maturity the Holy Spirit is leading us toward: To think
the same way Christ does; to view problems the same way Christ does; and to view
success as well as suffering from Christ’s perspective. Unfortunately, this
does not happen automatically the moment you become a Christian. The work of
the Spirit is to free us from the world’s sinful approach to view life more and
more from Christ’s perspective.
LIVE IT OUT
How can you know what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do next? Choose
one of the following applications.
- Pray. Thank God for the presence of His Holy Spirit in your life.
Express a desire to let Him lead you in what you think and do.
- Evaluate. Take an inventory of your current thinking on
important subjects such as politics, marriage, work, church, family, and social
issues. Evaluate your views in light of what Scripture teaches. Ask God to grow
you in thinking with the mind of Christ in these matters.
- Obey. Act on what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. It is as
simple as that. Delayed obedience is disobedience, so trust God to empower you
in what He leads you to do.
When you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, you have every resource
of heaven at your disposal. Remember, He knows all of God’s plans and purposes
for our lives, and He desires for us to know God’s will.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher's Notes:
Teacher's Notes:
HOW TO KNOW GOD’S WILL
With the title to this
series being “How to Know God’s Will, I want to ask this opening question: Why
would you want to know God’s will?
The title to our first
lesson is God’s Will and My Will. So, right from the beginning we are
told that there are two distinct “wills” at play here – God’s will and My will.
READ Ephesians 1:4-6
For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in
his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious
grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
What is the first thing
we learn here about God’s will?
I. We are chosen
by God’s will.
Our lesson said:
- God knew what
you would do today. He not only sees
everything that is happening at this moment, but He knows everything that has
ever occurred or will take place in the future. God is actively involved in His
creation, working out His purposes, day by day, year by year, and century by
century.
- God knew you
before the earth was formed or time began.
Not only was He planning for you, He chose you.
While the truth that
God chose us to have a relationship with Him in Christ is amazing, it does
raise questions.
Does God choose us even if we don’t
want Him to?
Does God choose some people but not
others?
The
theological term for this is predestination, but what exactly does that
mean?
· Christians have long debated the meaning of predestination; it is taught
in Scripture, as is the idea of our free will. (See John 3:16-18; Romans
10:9-10;13.) So how do we balance these? Do I have any choice, or is every aspect of my life predetermined by God?
For the moment, let’s focus on key phrases Paul used in this passage.
By and large, the recent
worship wars have died off, but they’ve been replaced by a debate over Calvinism
and reformed theology. Calvinism is nothing new. It can be summed up with
these five points:
- Total Depravity. We are completely sinful.
- Unconditional Election. God chooses those who are saved without any thought to their merit or worthiness.
- Limited Atonement. Jesus died only for the elect. His death was sufficient for everyone, but it does not apply to everyone.
- Irresistible Grace. Those whom God calls cannot resist Him. God issues an external call to all people, but He issues an internal call to the elect, and they find His grace and call irresistible.
- Perseverance of the Saints. Those whom God calls cannot lose their salvation.
Whether you consider
yourself a Calvinist or not—whether you call yourself reformed or not—you
likely believe one or more of these tenets to some degree. Why? Because the
heart of Calvinism is the sovereignty of God. And the divisiveness that has
entered the church has to do with how much sovereignty God has at the expense
of our free will. Where we differ is how much we believe God’s sovereignty
controls everything. There is no question God is sovereign over the universe He
created. There is nothing He cannot do if He so chooses. But where does He limit
His sovereign control and allow us to choose freely? Or does He limit His
sovereign control?
What
are some lasting truths from Ephesians 1:4-6?
- Chosen in Christ. Being chosen by God is wrapped up in our relationship with Christ.
- Chosen to be holy and blameless in love. Christ is holy and blameless, and because we are in Him, we are holy and blameless. We still falter and sin, but we are forgiven in Christ.
- Predestined and adoption do not mean God arbitrarily chooses some and rejects others, for God desires everyone to be saved.
- God has acted by His will, according to His purpose, to provide salvation.
READ Romans 12:1-2
1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true
and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Paul
urged us “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” What does that mean to
you? And how does this help you know God’s will?
II. God
reveals what we need to know as we surrender to Him.
- The difference is the
sacrifice he called us to make is a “living sacrifice.” Of course, the
challenge of offering a living sacrifice is keeping it on the altar!
- Many Christians struggle
with surrender. As with all sacrifices offered to God, the sacrifice of our
lives must be holy and acceptable to Him—and that means not just any sacrifice will
do! We are called to a total surrender of everything.
- Paul urged us not only to surrender ourselves to God, but to resist the corrupting influence of sin in our world. Paul urged us not to allow the world to shape us into its mold with its values and perspectives. Rather, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so we see people as God views them and we value what God esteems.
We
must allow our thinking to be transformed and set free by the Holy Spirit who
knows what is good and holy and pleasing to God. It is only when God renews our
minds, enabling us to have the mind of Christ so we think as He does, that we
are able to know, appreciate, and embrace God’s perfect will for our lives. This,
then, is our challenge. We must daily choose to reject the world’s thinking and
values and to allow God to continually transform our thinking until we view
life through His eyes. Surrendering our will to God’s will is not a one-time
decision. When we choose to surrender to God’s will, we will discover just how
“good, pleasing, and perfect” it is!
One way to know God’s
will is to seek to align our will with His.
MAIN POINT: Seek to align your will with God’s will.
At its most basic, the
will of God is to repent of our sin and trust in Christ.
GOD’S WILL and THE BIBLE
The Bible is life’s
instruction manual. It teaches us how to live in every major issue we face in
life. It provides a sure guide to success and joy. Unfortunately, too many
people fail to read the instructions! The first step to knowing God’s will is
to read the owner’s manual: His Word.
READ Psalm 19:7-10
7 The
law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy
to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are
firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than
much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
What do we learn about
God’s Word and God’s Will in these verses?
I. God’s Word can be
fully trusted to reveal God’s will.
- The Lord has revealed Himself through His spoken/written Word.
- His Word is perfect in every way, completely reliable, true and right,
pure and clean.
- His Word brings renewal, refreshment, right-thinking, and rejoicing in the
heart to one who interacts with it.
- His Word is valuable for knowing how to live and satisfying to those
seeking peace of mind and heart, the essence of His will.
READ Psalm 19:11-14
11 By them your servant
is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their
own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful
sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great
transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
What do we learn about
God’s Word and God’s Will in these verses?
II. Obedience to
God’s Word leads to right living.
How does the Bible act
as a spiritual GPS for us?
- Do we have a “spiritual GPS” that will give us accurate, trustworthy
direction? Well, in a sense we do. God has given us directions for living, for understanding
His will, for becoming what He desires us to be. We look to His Word wherein He
makes Himself known to us. As we get to know Him more and more, we learn more
and more about His will for our lives. We can follow His directions all the way
“home.”
MAIN POINT: God gives us direction through His Word.
God
is not trying to hide His will from us; He wants to reveal it. In fact, He has
already given us many, many directions in His Word. We are to “give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We
are to do good works (1 Peter 2:15). And “it is God’s will that you should be
sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Conclusion: At the beginning of
spring each year, I always take the blades off my lawn mower and sharpen them.
I hate doing that job, because the blades are very difficult to remove. I have
a riding mower, so I have to reach underneath it to get to the blades. The bolts
that hold the blades in place are very tight, and it’s always been a struggle
to loosen them. This year it finally dawned on me that maybe I was using the
wrong tool. All of my wrenches are fairly small, and they don’t put much torque
on the bolts. This year I bought a wrench with a longer handle, and it made all
the difference in the world. Now that I was using the right tool, a horribly
difficult task became relatively simple.
Many times, Christians
try to discern God’s will with their own instincts and reasoning. They wonder
why it’s so hard. Maybe they’re using the wrong tools? God has given us the
right tool: His written Word. Make His Word a vital part of your
life, and then you will find it much easier to discern His will in your life.
GOD’S WILL and THE HOLY
SPIRIT
To
a far greater degree, the Holy Spirit loves us unlike anyone else. He knows all
of God’s plans and purposes for our lives, and He desires for us to know God’s
will. Since we cannot see Him, how does He communicate God’s plan? In the Book
of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke on the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us know
God’s will.
READ 1 Corinthians 2:6-8
6 We
do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of
this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we
declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for
our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it,
for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
What do we learn about
the Holy Spirit and God’s Will in these verses?
I. On our own, we can’t
understand God’s wisdom or comprehend His will.
God’s wisdom is a
“hidden wisdom.” This means God’s truth cannot be discovered apart from God
revealing it. God’s truth cannot be understood, unless the Holy Spirit opens
our hearts and minds to comprehend and receive it. That’s why skeptical
atheists can read the Bible a thousand times and yet remain unmoved by it. They
can analyze the Hebrew and Greek text and debate with the most brilliant Bible
scholars on earth, but unless the Holy Spirit opens their understanding to the truths
in God’s Word, it appears as foolishness to them.
READ 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
9
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who
love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The
Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s
thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the
thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
What do we learn about
the Holy Spirit and God’s Will in these verses?
II. The Holy Spirit
reveals the mind of God.
Tragically, many
Christians don’t know what to do with the Holy Spirit who indwells them. Yet Jesus
said the Holy Spirit would work in our lives in the same way the Holy Spirit
related to His twelve disciples.
The Spirit reveals the
will of God and seeks to work in our lives.
The key is to not resist the Holy Spirit as He works. He will not force God’s
best upon us. We must cooperate with the Spirit as He reveals and seeks to
implement the Father’s will in our lives. We must learn to recognize the Holy Spirit’s
guidance in our lives and make any adjustments He calls for.
READ 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
12
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what
we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person
without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God
but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are
discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes
judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human
judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
What do we learn about
the Holy Spirit and God’s Will in these verses?
III. We must depend on
the Holy Spirit in order to distinguish God’s will from human thinking.
Christians
just don’t make sense to non-Christians oftentimes. There may be times when the
Holy Spirit will lead you to do something that bewilders unbelievers. The Spirit
might convict you to start tithing your income to your church. Giving away ten percent
of your hard-earned money will make no sense to most unbelievers! Or the Spirit
may lead you to spend significant money to go on a mission trip. Your
non-Christian colleagues at work may be bewildered why you would spend your
vacation time ministering to the homeless in Haiti.
Don’t
be surprised when your obedience to God’s promptings causes others to question
you; for if they’re not led by the Spirit themselves, they have no ability to comprehend
spiritual matters in your life.
When you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, you have every resource
of heaven at your disposal. Remember, He knows all of God’s plans and purposes
for our lives, and He desires for us to know God’s will.
The message of this session is simple to summarize. On our own, we can’t understand
God’s wisdom or comprehend His will. However, the Holy Spirit knows and reveals
to us the mind of God. Therefore, we must depend on the Holy Spirit in order to
distinguish God’s will from our will and human thinking.
MAIN POINT: The Holy Spirit will guide us in knowing God’s
will.
The better we get to know a person, the more acquainted we become with his
or her desires. For example, a child may look across a busy street at the ball
that bounced away, but he doesn’t run after it, because he knows “my dad
wouldn’t want me to do that.” He doesn’t have to ask his father for advice on
every particular situation; he knows what his father would say because he knows
his father. The same is true in our relationship to God. As we walk with the
Lord, obeying His Word and relying on His Spirit, we find that we are given the
mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We know Him, and that helps us to know His
will.
Conclusion:
If we are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for
our lives, God will place His desires in our hearts. The key is wanting God’s
will, not our own. “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the
desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
