THE MYSTERY OFGOD'S WILL

Part Three: How Can We Know God’s will?

Probably the second most asked question in Christendom is, “How can we know God’s will?” We have already learned that God’s will for our lives are to preach the Gospel to every living creature and that we conform to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

This week, let’s let God tell us in His own Words what His will is for our lives. Here is a check list for knowing God’s will for our lives.

Salvation
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9].

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

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 [John 1:12, 13].

Surrender
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 [Romans 12:1-2].

Separation
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. . . [1 Thessalonians 4:3a]:

Sincerity
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself [John 7:17].

Search the Scriptures for His will
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths [Proverbs 3:5-6].

Communicate in prayer
  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him [1 John 5:14-15].

Listen to the Holy Spirit leading
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God [Romans 8:14].

Look for God’s guidance in the counsel of others
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety [Proverbs 11:14].

Besides preaching the Gospel, conforming to image of God’s Son, and the previous eight steps to finding the will of God, a person can also know the will of God through His commandments and through other words used to translate the word “will,” one of which is “purpose.”

Here are some commandment Scriptures for you to check if you are interested in the will of God: Deuteronomy 5:7-21; Psalms 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:15, 16; Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 2:13, and etc. These and many more commandments illustrate the will of God.

One word in the Bible translated will is the word “purpose.” Check 2 Timothy 1:9. The word purpose in this Scripture means that God set before Himself a plan and begins to work it out. God has a plan for each of those who He calls to His purpose and will.

Last week, we learned that God has a plan for each of our lives [Jeremiah 29:11]. Next week, in the final installment of “The Mystery of God’s Will,” we will learn of His will for our individual lives. You may be surprised.

. . .The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will [Acts 22:14].