One of the most basic and fundamental questions for all true Christians is in regard to the discernment of God’s will. When a person confesses Jesus as Lord of their life they are in essence stating two things. First, they are expressing a desire to make Jesus their master. Second, they are expressing a desire to live according to His standards. As Lord, Jesus now “owns” them. He is the master and they are His slaves. As such, personal freedoms are removed. Selfish wants, wishes, and desires must now be replaced with those of their new master. Therefore, the true mark of a disciple of Christ is not only an outward expression of ownership but also a heart-felt desire to live according to God’s standards and leadership as Jesus Himself did throughout His life.
The Will of God
In an effort to live according to God’s desires, we must learn how to both listen for and discern such instructions. We must learn to answer the question, “God, what is your will for my life?” However, before addressing specific applications, we must first acknowledge two presuppositions found within the question. First, this question presupposes that God has a will. Second, this question presupposes that His will can be discerned. Scripture confirms that both of these assumptions are true and teaches us much about God’s will.
First, we discover that God has a will and He expects us to do it. In Mark 3, Jesus had been told that His mother and brothers are waiting for Him outside and desiring to speak with Him. Using this opportunity as a teaching moment, Jesus explains who His family members are truly. He states that “whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35). Therefore, in this single statement Jesus declares that God has a will, it can be discerned, and that only those who live according to it are truly apart of Him. Moreover, it clearly states an expectation that all who seek to make Jesus Lord of their life will do the will of the Father.
Second, we discover that God has a general will for all people. His will is good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom 12:2). God’s general will includes a desire that the gospel is preached in order that the spiritually dead would be made alive (1 Pet 4:6). His will also includes that all would repent (2 Cor 7:9-10) and that all would be saved (Jn 3:16; 2 Cor 8:5), sanctified (1 Thess 4:3), and free of sexual immorality (1 Thess 4:3). God desires for us to live according to righteousness or right behavior (1 Pet 2:15). He also desires for us to carry out these actions from the heart (Eph 6:6). Rewards, too, are promised for having completed God’s will throughout one’s lifetime (Heb 10:36) including Eternal Life (1 Jn 2:17). Each of these are in accordance with God’s general will.
Third, we discover that God also a specific will for some people. Paul states that he was made an apostle by the will of God (1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 2 Tim 1:1). As an apostle, Paul recognized that God’s will determined what he would or would not do (Rom 15:32) and prevented him from specifically from doing some things (Rom 1:10). Paul (Acts 9:15-16) and others (1 Pet 4:19) are called to suffer according to the will of God. Peter was called to be an Elder and Shepherd or Pastor according to the will of God and an “example to the flock” (1 Pet 5:3). Also, the work of Paul, Ephapras, and certainly many others was said to be performed in order to help people stand firm within the will of God (Col 4:12).
Discovering God’s Will for Our Lives
The discovery that God both has a will that can be discerned is both a joy and an obligation. It is a joy to know that the God of the Universe has created us “in Christ Jesus, for good works” (Eph 2:10c). It also a joy to discover that these good works were “prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph 2:10d). However, such a discovery also includes an obligation. So, how is it that we can know God’s will for our lives? How can we discern His will in order that we may be obedient to it?
Hannah Whithall Smith, in the book A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life, includes a formula for discovering God’s Will. Her formula should not be considered the only way of discovering God’s Will but nevertheless is instructive for helping to practically examine decisions in life. She states that “Divine Guidance” or “Divine Harmony” is equal to the summation of Scripture, Common Sense, Providential Circumstances, and Inward Impressions.
First of all, we must recognize the importance of Scripture or “what God has spoken”. God desires much for us that has already been recorded in Scripture. He expects us to read and to know His will through it. He also expects us to use the Scriptures to help us in our discerning of individual, daily, decisions in life. Scripture helps us to understand both God’s general and specific will for our lives.
Second, we must recognize the importance of Common Sense or “what God has given”. God has given to us a mind in which He expects us to use in order to help us to know His will. Paul stated that we are “not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” As our mind and reasoning are conformed to God’s own we will be more and more equipped to handle life’s most difficult questions and to do so in accordance to God’s Will.
Third, we must recognize the importance of Providential Circumstances or “what doors God has opened”. God chooses to open and close opportunities in life. Our ability to recognize His hand within our individual circumstances helps us to better discern whether or not He is trying to speak to us regarding these decisions.
Fourth, we must recognize the importance of Inward Impressions or “what convictions God has placed upon us.” God has given to us His Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit which has been given to us as a “promise”, a “pledge of our inheritance”, and a sign of His “possession” (Eph 1:13-14). God’s Spirit places convictions upon us in which we ought to act upon. It is also the Spirit which intercedes for us when we do not know how to ask God for His will regarding a particular question or have doubts on whether or not we have received an answer (Rom 8:27). Therefore, we must remain faithful in prayer, presenting our requests before God, even when we are not sure of what to say.
Conclusion
Discovering God’s will for our lives is both important and necessary as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. It includes acknowledging that He has a will and that it can be discerned. It involves understanding the difference between His general and specific will for our lives. Most importantly, it is discovered through using His Spirit, Word, and the reasoning and common sense that He has given in order to enable us to be obedient. As we learn to use each in order to evaluate both our circumstances and inward impressions we will become more and more like our Master and Lord and more and more pleasing to our Father in Heaven.
Joshua
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