How to Know What God Wants - Part One

The sign on the back of the trailer read, "If I'm not headed West, stop me and turn me around!"  Not knowing where I'm going is a problem, not caring about it is even worse, and tragically many Christians today are confused or misled about the critical matter of guidance.  Some want a set of printed directions emailed from heaven.  Others want total freedom to do what they like.  Does the Bible offer any guidance?  I believe the Scriptures provide three major markers for knowing what God wants and this blog will cover two of them.

 I.          The Scriptural Precepts

A number of New Testament passages state the will of God for Christians.  Having listed several spiritual and moral obligations when writing to the Ephesians, Paul states, "So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  He goes on to write, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, . . ." (Eph. 5:18).  God's will concerning the Christian's spiritual and moral obligations is clear.  

Even more explicitly, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour".  Later in the same epistle, Paul writes, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18).  Peter writes that submission to properly constituted authority is God's will (1 Peter 2:15).  The apostle Paul also declared that the Jew knew the will of God through having His Law (Rom 2:18).

With respect to the character and conduct of the Christian, God has plainly revealed His will, and we would do well to conform to that will as a priority.  God's purpose is to conform us to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), to be Christ-like.

The foundation of success in fulfilling the will of God starts with being the right kind of person, living according to the precepts of Scripture.  If more Christians were as preoccupied with finding and following God's will in this area, there would be less problems with the will of God for location, vocation, marriage, ministry and so on.  This introduces the subject of finding God's will in matters not directly revealed in Scripture, which seems to be the preoccupation of many Christians today.

II.         The Scriptural Principles

Attitudes always precede actions.  To have the right attitudes is of first importance in discovering the will of God.  I believe there are three primary attitudes that must first characterise the Christian for God's will to be known with certainty.

1.         Unconditional Commitment

The first attitude is a commitment to do God's will unconditionally.  Isaiah responded to God's will by saying, "Here am I.  Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).  He was available.  No conditions, restrictions, contingencies or preferences were added to his response.  Isaiah left the details of God's will to God.  His only concern was to be on deck for the action.  Have you settled this issue of availability?  Why should God reveal His will to someone who will spurn it?  If we are not predisposed to do God's will then we will have great difficulty finding it.

 2.         Unreserved Confidence

The second attitude is a confidence in God's sovereignty (Romans 8:28).  There are so many details in our daily lives that it is impossible to receive a complete listing of specific directions for each item.  Think of the many decisions you make without a second thought concerning the will of God; the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the groceries you buy and the list goes on and on.  You need to be confident that when you are following the revealed will of God as found in the Scriptures, God will overrule your daily decisions and the resulting activities so that they are pleasing to him.  You ought not to fear making a wrong decision and so be indecisive, unless you are deliberately disobeying His revealed will.  You ought rather to have confidence in God's sovereignty to direct your life in the way pleasing to him.  The apostle Paul planned his ministry and confidently pressed forward, but on at least two occasions he was not allowed to continue his direction (Acts 16:6-7).  God redirected him to go to Macedonia and much spiritual blessing resulted.

 3.         Unselfish Concern

The third attitude is a concern for God's glory (1 Cor. 10:31).  Our motivation will either create a barrier or a bridge to the will of God.  If you are concerned for yourself, the benefits and blessings that will come to you, then much of God's will will be hidden from you.  If you are concerned for God's glory, then decisions which may cost you something will not be avoided because your motivation is God-oriented not self-centred.  

These three attitudes provide a platform on which to build the practical elements for finding God's will.  In the next instalment, we will consider those practical elements.  Until then, how well do you know and apply the clear statements of God's will?  Are your attitudes aligned with finding the will of God?  I hope these are growing realities in your walk with God.