B 2 B Lesson 12

The will of God

"God's will is not a magic package; it is not an architect's blueprint; it is not a travel agent's detailed itinerary;  it is more like a scroll  which unrolls little by little, step by step."  --Paul Little

How to know the will of God

Nothing in the whole of life is more important than THE KNOWING and the DOING of the WILL OF GOD (Matt 7:21, Eph 5:17, Colossians 1:9. 1 John 2:17).

However many remain confused and walk around in a spiritual fog.
There are 2 aspects to God's will:

• The aspect which He has already revealed - for example, His desire that all people be saved ( 2 Peter 3:9); His desire that we are to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8); His desire that we are to live holy lives (1 Thess 4:7) etc;
• The aspect which has not been revealed - no clear "thus says the Lord."

In this area there are 2 pre-requisites:

• We need to be obedient to what has been revealed.
• We need to be surrendered to the unknown even before we know what it is.

Sometimes we have the mistaken notion that the choice is between doing what we want to do and being happy or doing what God wants us to do and being miserable.  How wrong we are (Romans 8:32).

1.  Channels through which God reveals His will

• The Word of God    (Psalm 119:105, 107)
• Prayer   (James 1:5)
• Circumstances - open and closed doors (Acts 16:6-7, 8-9)
• Advice of spiritual counselors (Acts 19:30)
• Peace and confidence within   ( 1 John 3:21-22)

The prerequisite to KNOWING is DOING  (John 7:17)

OBEDIENCE needs to be :

• WHOLEHEARTED  (Ephesians 6:6)
• SPONTANEOUS  (Psalm 40:8 )
• PROMPT  (Psalm 119:60)

Delayed obedience is disobedience.

Remember when you are in the wrong place, your right place will be empty.

2.  Some Principles for Knowing God's Will

( trace your left hand here, start with your pinkie  finger, write these words : Stop, Look, Listen, Test, Trust.

• STOP  wanting your own will (Romans 12:1-2). Surrender yourself to the will of God even before you know what it is.
• LOOK  into the Word of God (Psalm 119:105).  About 90 % of what you need to know has already been revealed.
• LISTEN  to the advice of godly counselors and friends (Proverbs 15:22) .  Don't go it alone.  Share your sense of call with friends and counselors and if it is real, God will confirm it through others who know you in ways that you may not know yourself.
• TEST  the way that God seems to be leading you by open and closed doors (Acts 16:6-10).  However, favorable circumstances are not always an infallible guide  - remember Jonah. 
• TRUST  - the ultimate confirmation is peace of mind and peace of heart (Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6).

Remember you are not alone in seeking to know God's will.  God Himself has given you His Holy Spirit to guide you (John 14:26, John 16:13-14).

VERSES TO MEMORISE

• Matthew 7:21
• Proverbs 3:5-6

~ALLAN WEBB