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Key verse: Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Biblical truth: It is the will of God that we submit ourselves as a living sacrifice for God to use as He pleases to glorify Himself. It is the will of God that we should be transformed daily by renewing of the Word of God and that we give ourselves to His will and not our own and that we judge the acceptability of all things from His perspective and not from our own lusts and desires.
Much of God's will is very plainly stated in the Bible. It is not His will that anyone should perish (or that they should die without Christ) but that all men should come to repentance. It is the will of God that all men be saved, that all men be sanctified and that we abstain from sin. It is the will of God that we give thanks in everything. These aspects of the will of God, and more are very plainly stated for us in the Bible. How do I find out more about His specific will for me?
Matthew 6:33 tells us that we should seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God first and all the other things we need will be added unto our lives. This is very plain, but how to do this requires instruction.
Understanding The Will of God
a. People are self-willed by nature. They do what they do because they want to. The Christian's actions however, are not to be driven by self, but by God. (Galatians 2:20)
b. God created you for His glory and pleasure (Revelation 4:11), and therefore, you are not for your own pleasure -- (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)!
c. There are two kinds of wills God has for a person - His general, all-encompassing will for people everywhere; and His specific will for each individual.
i. God will not show you His specific plan until you are submitted to His authority over your life. Every person must want to not only find God's plan, but already be willing to do it no matter what it happens to be! Why try and tell someone specifically what to do with their life, when you know they won't do it?
ii. The key rests in whether you are truly interested in not just knowing the will of God, but more importantly, interested in doing it (Romans 8:5, James 1:22)
d. There are always several stages to the will of God
i. Doing what you know that God says in the Bible -- not the whole Bible, but a general set of clear instructions for every man, woman, boy, and girl! This is where the greatest hindrances are found because we want the big picture and refuse to be faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10)
ii. As you are doing those things, God will show you His perfect will for your life
iii. There may be a delay before you actually experience living in that big, perfect will of God for your life
iv. Finding God's direction for your life---where specifically
God's general will for all mankind
a. His will is that all men be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)
b. His will is that all are filled with the Holy Spirit of God---that means to be totally controlled by Him (Ephesians 5:17-18)
c. Is that we are thankful in all things (Ephesians 5:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
d. Is that we would live a holy or sanctified life (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, 2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
e. His will is that we be conformed to the image of His son (Romans 8:28-29)
f. There are many others in the Bible but this gives you an idea of His will. Never look for a specific will until you are a surrendered and committed Christian---this is where it starts (Romans 12:1)
g. If you will not be faithful in the small that you know why should He give you the big that you do not know
What are some things that are unquestionably the will of God and are plainly stated in the Word of God to be His will?
It is almost certain that you will not find God's specific will for your life if you are not living His general will. The specific will of God does not come in a Western Union telegram, but in doing the abundance of things that are plainly stated in His word, and doing them consistently.
Finding God's specific will and direction for your life
a. His specific will always builds on His general will---and is always in agreement with the Word of God
b. His specific will just like the general will of God requires that you sacrifice your own goals and plans to obey Him (Romans 12:1-2)
c. Steps to get God's direction in your life (Acts 16:1-10)
i. God's direction for your life is not always so clear---you might start doing one thing and find that God puts you to doing something else
You should be attempting to serve God and to obey Him
You should be busy in the Lord's work where you are
Paul wanted Timothy to go with him (Acts 16:3)
The team was busy doing what they knew to do (Acts 16:4-5)
They were working in "church work" (Acts 16:5)
They were forbidden to work where they thought they should (Acts 16:6)
They tried to go into another area and were not allowed to (Acts 16:7)
After many attempts God made it clear (Acts 16:9-10) but even then they only assuredly gathered
ii. Prayer---ask God to direct you, your thoughts, your heart to know His will (James 4:2)
d. Beg God to use you, somewhere, somehow for His honor and glory (Romans 12:1, 6:13, 16)
e. Look for chances to pray with others for the church and the world (Matthew 18:20)
f. Pray that God will send someone into His harvest (Matthew 9:38)
i. Bible reading---Spend time reading and seeking His will (1 Samuel 3:1)
As you read ask Him to use the verses to show you what to think and how to apply them to your life
Keep a journal of what you are learning and the thoughts that He is bringing into your mind
ii. Meditate on the Scriptures and your prayers
Focus your thoughts on Him, His word, His will and His glory (Philippians 2:5-11)
Meditate on the Lord and what He wants done around the world (1 Chronicles 16:24, 31, 2 Chronicles 6:33)
Consider your talents and abilities to see how He may have prepared you for this work (1 Corinthians 15:10, Luke 19:13-26)
Dream---lay awake thinking and planning how your life could be used
iii. Study the Bible and let God speak to you
Listen without a critical or "know it all" attitude to those who are farther along (Proverbs 26:12, 16)
Observe people---watch their faces, the way they deal with their family, put yourself in their place (Ezekiel 3:15)
iv. Believe that God desires to show you His will
Decide to trust even if you do not know where you are going or how you are going to get there (Hebrews 11:6, 8)
See the need. David asked "is there not a cause?" (1 Samuel 17:29)
Be careful of your attitude---you are on holy ground (Exodus 3:5)
v. Be a servant, as Jesus humbled Himself and served His disciples
Be very helpful to the pastor, missionary, church staff and other spiritual leaders (Luke 22:27)
Remember that the way you act and talk may make an eternal difference in their lives one way or the other (2 Corinthians 3:2, Titus 2:5)
g. What to expect if He is calling you
i. He will give you the desire and ability to do it (Philippians 2:13)
ii. You will have inescapable thoughts
iii. You will feel the necessity and woe laid on you (1 Corinthians 9:16-17)
Specific areas that you will need God's will and direction
a. Marriage (2 Corinthians 6:14)
i. Is the person saved?
ii. Are they faithful in seeking God's will, or only self-centered?
iii. Are they mature, or childish?
iv. Have you sought wisdom or counsel about your desires from your parents (God wants us to honor them, and seek their counsel)?
b. Job
c. Ministry
Reading: Finding God's specific will for your life is often the product of the life experiences you have accumulated, the resources, talents and skills you have and finally, what it is you enjoy doing. It is the Lord that puts it in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Often times you find that the specific will of God was right under your nose all along and that you have been wonderfully prepared for it in every step of life.
What are some life experiences that you have had that God can use for a greater purpose?
List the talents and resources and skills you have that God can use for His specific purpose.
What is it that you really like doing that God could use to glorify Himself?