Introd
uction:Is it difficult to find God’s will in our life?Many often times Children of Go
d is troubled to find the perfect will of God in their day to day Christian lives.Is God’s will so esoteric and incomprehensible?If it is esoteric,No one fulfills the will of God in their lives.The will of God is not so hard or unattainable.Almighty God has crystal clearly revealed everything regarding his will in the Bible.In the Bible the Greek word for “WILL” is (thelema).when thelema is used with reference to God’s “will” for the believer (Rom 2;18; Eph 1:1), it refers to the purpose or plan He designed for every believer in eternity past.Throughout the scriptures,believers are continually exhorted to know the will of God.
“ so then do not be foolish,but understand what the will of the Lord is “ ( Eph 5:17)For a natural man being unregenerated it is incomprehensible but for a regenerated man it is revealed through the Holy Spirit of God via His Word.
“ so then do not be foolish,but understand what the will of the Lord is “ ( Eph 5:17)For a natural man being unregenerated it is incomprehensible but for a regenerated man it is revealed through the Holy Spirit of God via His Word.
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the H
oly Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ” ( I Cor 2:10-16).
oly Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ” ( I Cor 2:10-16).The will of God in the Bible is also known as “The Mind of Christ” ,again the Mind (psychology) of Christ is the word of God.Walking worthy of word of God is obeying the will of God.
The Prayer of Jesus regarding God’s Will:
The Prayer of Jesus regarding God’s Will:
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (john 17:17)
In this prayer, Jesus prayed twice that the Father would keep His disciples from evil. Then He reveals the way that God will accomplish this - through His Word, the holy scriptures. Anyone who desires to live for God, reject the devil, and reject the world's system, must know God's Word.We must study the scriptures, for they reveal the will of God for our actions and attitudes. To be filled with the knowledge of God's will, we must be filled with God's Word. God's Word is His will! Those who are ignorant of God's Word (Bible Doctrine+ Divine Viewpoint) will be ignorant of God's will.
Knowledge of God's will is foundational in developing Christian conduct and character. T
here is no way we can fulfill God's will if we don't know what it is. The starting point for any Christian is understanding God's will for his life. How can a person obtain such knowledge? The first step is to desire it. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." People ask the Lord for knowledge of His will but don't receive it because they aren't seeking with ALL THEIR HEART. No one who has ever sought the Lord with all his heart has ever been disappointed.The Holy Spirit is the dispenser of God's wisdom. It is through Him that we know the things God has revealed to us. One of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God's will to us.
There is no way we can walk worthy of the Lord and please Him if we don't know His will (Bible Doctrine). Furthermore, we can't be fruitful without the knowledge of His will (Divine Viewpoint). God has provided all that we need to be successful and victorious in this life. Believe His Word.
There is no way we can walk worthy of the Lord and please Him if we don't know His will (Bible Doctrine). Furthermore, we can't be fruitful without the knowledge of His will (Divine Viewpoint). God has provided all that we need to be successful and victorious in this life. Believe His Word.
Categories of GOD’s Will For the Individual Believer:
The question of the will of God for each individual believer falls into three categories:what does He want me to think? What does He want me to do? Where does He want me to go?
The Viewpoint will of God
What does God want me to think? Obviously, He wants me to think divine viewpoint.Bible doctrine i
n the right lobe is divine viewpoint.Hence,this corresponds with second mandate of divine guidance-know the will of God (Isa 55:7;Prov 23:7;2 Cor 10:5).
Our strength comes from the word of God.In ourselves,we are weak.Bible doctrine is the backbone of the soul that supports our spiritual life.In order to understand the viewpoint will of God we must store up doctrine in the right lobe so that it guides all our decisions.
The Viewpoint will of God
What does God want me to think? Obviously, He wants me to think divine viewpoint.Bible doctrine i
n the right lobe is divine viewpoint.Hence,this corresponds with second mandate of divine guidance-know the will of God (Isa 55:7;Prov 23:7;2 Cor 10:5).Our strength comes from the word of God.In ourselves,we are weak.Bible doctrine is the backbone of the soul that supports our spiritual life.In order to understand the viewpoint will of God we must store up doctrine in the right lobe so that it guides all our decisions.
The Operational will of God:
What does God want me to do? The operational will of God involves everything tha
t a christian should and should not do to glorify God.The list of dos and don’ts includes many wonderful things found in the word of God:rebound,the filling of the Holy Spirit,learning doctrine,the faith-rest technique,occupation with Christ,prayer,witnessing,and many others.The requirements for doing the will of God are the first and second mandates of divine guidance-submit to the will of God and know the will of God.
t a christian should and should not do to glorify God.The list of dos and don’ts includes many wonderful things found in the word of God:rebound,the filling of the Holy Spirit,learning doctrine,the faith-rest technique,occupation with Christ,prayer,witnessing,and many others.The requirements for doing the will of God are the first and second mandates of divine guidance-submit to the will of God and know the will of God.The Geographical will of God:
Where does God want me to be? This category has to do with location.The geographical will of God,h
owever,is never considered apart from the operational will of God.If believers are doing what God wants them to do,then they will eventually wind up in the place where God wants them to be.We all understand that crossing an ocean or going to a foreign country does not make a missionary.The operational will of God must come first. Christians become missionaries by first witnessing in their own locale,in their own circumstances.A believer who will not witness at home will never witness in another country where conditions are much more difficult.The third mandate of divine guidance-grow to maturity-is definetly correlated with the geographical will of God.
owever,is never considered apart from the operational will of God.If believers are doing what God wants them to do,then they will eventually wind up in the place where God wants them to be.We all understand that crossing an ocean or going to a foreign country does not make a missionary.The operational will of God must come first. Christians become missionaries by first witnessing in their own locale,in their own circumstances.A believer who will not witness at home will never witness in another country where conditions are much more difficult.The third mandate of divine guidance-grow to maturity-is definetly correlated with the geographical will of God.An excellent illustration of God’s geographical will is contained in the Book of Jonah.The will of God for Jonah was to go to Nineveh,where he was to declare the Gospel.But instead of going to Nineveh,he took a ship going in the opposite direction.He was finally thrown overboard,swallowed by a great fish, vomited onto dry land,and then reluctantly proceeded to Nineveh.Jonah’s problem was his hatred of the Assyrians,which created an unwillingness to execute the known geographical will of God.
Another dilemma of the geographical will of God was faced by Jacob when he was to go down to Egypt.Jacob thought it was wrong for him to leave the Land, so God said, in effect,”Do not be afraid,Jacob.It is my will for you to go to Egypt at this time.But your family will come back again” (Gen 46:1-4).
Paul, in Acts 16:7,longed to go to Bithynia; but God restrained him because he wanted paul in phillippi and peter in Bithynia.David Livingstone,the great missionary explorer of the last century,planned to go to china but was hindered buy the war between England and china.Since it was God’s will for David Livingstone to be in Africa ,not china,the war in china made it impossible for him to be in that country.The geographical will of God for him was accomplished through this providential circumstance.Adoniram Judson started out for India,but officials would not let him land in Bombay.You see.God wanted him in Burma.What appeared to be a problem of immigration was actually a question of the geographical will of God.
We also in the Book of Ruth we find that the God’s will for Naomi to be in Bethlehem even in crisis but Naomi chose to immigrate Moab and being to Moab she lost her husband and sons.Naomi along with her daughter-in-laws was widowed,her life became pathetic.Only when she realized that it is God’s Geographical will for her to be at Bethlehem and being returned to Bethlehem her later life was blessed by God(Ruth 1-2 chapters).
Even it happened in my life that I had planned to visit to US in the year 2006 by an Invitation of a Houston based Mission Board for the member status.I had no money with me and I received a grace gift of 2000 USD,a Hotel was booked for my stay but my visa is not granted at US consulate at Chennai.Everything was ready but visa is not granted and I was greatly disappointed and wept in the presence of the Lord but the Lord has revealed me that it was not the geographical will of God for me in that manner.My friend sometimes it is very difficult to know and digest the geographical will of God in our lives.His will be different in our lives.Our plans will never workout only his plan and will workout in our lives.The only thing we need to do is submit to his will completely even though situations seems to be tough.His thoughts and ways are different than we think.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8-9).
Seven Directives Declared to be The General will of God:
Seven Directives Declared to be The General will of God:
SALVATION:It is the will of God that every member of the human race be born agai
n.we know from 2 Peter 3:9b that God is “not wishing for any to perish,but for all to come to repentance (a change of mental attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ).” And because God is not wishing for any to perish, He has made provision for eternal life through Jesus Christ.There is only one issue for an unbeliever:What do you think about Christ? Every human being begins to comply with the will of God when he expresses faith alone in Christ alone.
n.we know from 2 Peter 3:9b that God is “not wishing for any to perish,but for all to come to repentance (a change of mental attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ).” And because God is not wishing for any to perish, He has made provision for eternal life through Jesus Christ.There is only one issue for an unbeliever:What do you think about Christ? Every human being begins to comply with the will of God when he expresses faith alone in Christ alone. “And the world is passing away,and also its lusts;but the one who does the will of God abides forever”(I John 2:17)
Doing the will of God in this case is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“For this is the will of my Father,that everyone who beholds the son and believes in Him,may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”(John 6:40).
SANCTIFICATION
It is the will of God that all believers be sanctified.
“For this is the will of God,Your sanctification.” (I Thess 4:3)
“Sanctification” here means to be set apart unto God by being in fellowship with the Lord, so that you will be under His direction,ready to serve Him in anyway,under any circumstances.There are three different kinds of sanctification in the Bible.
“For this is the will of God,Your sanctification.” (I Thess 4:3)
“Sanctification” here means to be set apart unto God by being in fellowship with the Lord, so that you will be under His direction,ready to serve Him in anyway,under any circumstances.There are three different kinds of sanctification in the Bible.
1.Positional Sanctification: signifies that every believer at the moment of salvation acquires the absolute status Quo of being set apart in Christ Jesus ( I Cor 1:2; Heb 10:10; Col 2:10).At the moment a person believes in christ as savior, he is entered into union with Christ; he shares all that Christ has and is; he is a partaker of the divine nature.
2.Experiential sanctification: Is the function of the spiritual life after salvation that involves the believer’s spiritual growth by means of the filling of the Holy Spirit and the grace apparatus for perception ( Eph 5:26).The key to being sanctified in phase two is the proper use of I John 1;9 and learning Bible doctrine.This produces spiritual maturity.
3.Ultimate sanctification:Is the absolute status quo of every believer in his resurrection body in the eternal state ( I cor 15:35-54;Phil 3:21; I John 3:2). We will be set apart unto God for all eternity.We are assured of living in God’s presence forever.
SPIRTUALITY:
SPIRTUALITY:
It is the will of God that we are to be controlled by or filled with the Spirit.
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the spirit” ( Eph 5:18)
The filling of the Spirit excludes human good and provides the basis for producing divine good. No matter what Christian activity we may engage in –praying,giving,attending church, witnessing-if we are out of fellowship, it is human good. It is not the will of God to operate in carnality or human good, for both are repugnant to Him (Prov 6:16-19;Isa 64:6;Rom8:8).
THANKSGIVING
It is the will of God that we give thanks in everything. Thanksgiving is an expression of worship toward God that increases in capacity with the believer’s advance to spiritual maturity.Gratitude is expressed through a moment-by-moment mental attitude arising from doctrine in the right lobe of the soul ( Ps 138:1-2),and through prayer ( Eph 5:20; Phil 4:6;Col 4:2).
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (I Thess 5:1
8).We are to be thankful, no matter what happens in our life,this can be quite a problem since everything that comes into our life is not pleasant.In fact,there is going to be a great deal of suffering,heart-ache,adversity,trial and tribulation.But you need not be concerned,for there is a specific promise for the suffering of believers in supergrace or on the road to supergrace.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His Purpose”.( Rom 8:28).
SUFFERING:
It is the will of God that we suffer.
“For it is b
etter,if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right [for blessing] rather than for doing what is wrong [for discipline or punishment] (I Pet 3:17).
Although there are many factors in this particular concept,when we understand that the purposes of suffering is blessing,then we begin to realize that God has a reason for it all.If it is God’s will for us to suffer,then ultimately you will be blessed in suffering.
“For it is b
etter,if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right [for blessing] rather than for doing what is wrong [for discipline or punishment] (I Pet 3:17).Although there are many factors in this particular concept,when we understand that the purposes of suffering is blessing,then we begin to realize that God has a reason for it all.If it is God’s will for us to suffer,then ultimately you will be blessed in suffering.
“Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God[suffering for blessing in spiritual maturity] entrust their souls to a faithful creator [the Lord Jesus Christ] in doing what is right (I Pet 4:19).
God is always faithful to us even through suffering.Undeserved suffering is one way of directing our attention to the things that are important in life-fellowship,learning the word,growing in grace,etc.Suffering honors Christ by proving the reality of our faith (I Pet 1:7),by developing obedience to His will (Heb 5:8-9) and perseverance and confidence in the spiritual life (Rom 5:3), and by restraining arrogance (2 Cor 12:6-10).
TRUSTING
It is the will of God for every believer to trust the Lord.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart [right lobe of the soul],And do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He will make your paths Straight” (Prov 3:5-6).
We should not depend on the human viewpoint of life,but rather on the divine or biblical viewpoi
nt,trusting the Lord in every situation.Do you want God to guide you? Do you want Him to direct your path,to lead you along the way? Then here is how:”Trust in the Lord with all your heart” or right lobe.The pure thoughts of doctrine,not the deceptive thoughts of man,are the basis for divine guidance.Do not depend on your own understanding; do not depend on human viewpoint; do not depend on the thinking of other people.Think divine viewpoint in everything and He will direct your life.He will always guide you.There will never be a time when He will let you down-not even once!
We should not depend on the human viewpoint of life,but rather on the divine or biblical viewpoi
nt,trusting the Lord in every situation.Do you want God to guide you? Do you want Him to direct your path,to lead you along the way? Then here is how:”Trust in the Lord with all your heart” or right lobe.The pure thoughts of doctrine,not the deceptive thoughts of man,are the basis for divine guidance.Do not depend on your own understanding; do not depend on human viewpoint; do not depend on the thinking of other people.Think divine viewpoint in everything and He will direct your life.He will always guide you.There will never be a time when He will let you down-not even once!GOOD WORKS
It is the will of God for every believer to produce divine good.
“For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignoranceof foolish men”( I pet 2:15).
Here we see that “doing right” or producing divine good,is the will of God.Believer
s are left on this earth to represent and glorify the LORD Jesus Christ.Part of representing Him is to be effective in the realm of production, which is the natural by-product of spiritual maturity.Just as there is no place for human good in the spiritual life.After salvation,God provides the assets whereby we can glorify and serve Him, whereby we can represent Him effectively as ambassadors for Christ.Consequently,it is the will of God for the believer to produce divine good.However,all such production must be in the power and filling of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion :
Knowing and performing the known will of God will make us to fulfill the Perfect will of God for our lives. In Algebra the value of X is equal to unknown factor.The value of X is known only when the known factors are surrounded by it.Suppose If 2x= 10,what is the value of X?here the value of X is eual to 5.The unknown factor of X is known only when the known factors are surrounded by it. Like wise if we know the known will of God and perform it we will be lead to fulfill or will come to know the unknown(Perfect) will of God in our lives. As one man of God stated: “ The safest place in the world is to be with in the Wil of God”.Let us also be encouraged by the following verses.
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, know
ing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”( II Tim 3:14-17).
ing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”( II Tim 3:14-17).
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”(Heb 4:12).“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” ( II Tim 2:15)
Noah-Abraham-Joseph-Moses-David ----Obeyed the will of God!Next Who? It’s YOU!
Selected Bibliography:
1."Divine guidance" by Late Colonel R B Thieme Jr.
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