PART 4

(Click here to see other posts in this series as they’re posted)

As we’ve already looked at being (1) in the Family of God, (2) in Fellowship with God, and (3) Faithful to God, let’s wrap up this study on the Will of God with this:

Be Sure You’re Following God’s Leadership!

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-22

 

When Jesus called his disciples to follow him, he asked of them something huge… He asked them to forsake what they were comfortable with, to leave it behind, and to follow him. But this forsaking wasn’t in vain. He promised to make them something better. Something greater. Something bigger than they had ever dreamed of. He promised to do a work in them, and through them, to eternally impact others.

In this, our last, in the series on Knowing the Will of God, we need to know that there are many voices and noises in life that can call away our attention from what God wants from us. Job opportunities, girlfriends/boyfriends, friends, education, family, and others are always pulling at us. How do we know what is right? How do we know what to listen to?

1. Realize you were made for something greater

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Do you want to spend the rest of your life doing things that lost people can do? We often hear of the “American Dream” but in reality, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be! What do most people live for? A good education, a good time, a good job, a good family….? They punch a time clock, come home, watch TV, go to bed and do it all again the next day. They exert their effort in getting more riches and “toys” that can never bring true happiness. When is it enough? When does it satisfy? Don’t you want to do something better with your life? Something of eternal impact?

Good. That’s why God made you!! We are his workmanship, his handywork, made for a special purpose. Realize this. Understand this. Give yourself to this.

2. Decide to surrender all

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” Luke 14:27-30

“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. 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

Jesus wants committed disciples. If you want to do God’s will, you need to decide right now that you will not do it “half-way” nor will you get out when it gets tough, but rather that you are in it for the long run. Christ wants to do a work through you, but he cannot do that until you surrender everything to him. Give him total access!

It is a hard step, yet a rewarding step in the life of a believer to say “Jesus, whatever you want for my life, it’s yours!”

3. Watch God open up doors of opportunity

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast beenfaithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

Faithfulness was already mentioned in the last post, but it’s worth bringing up again. If you’re being a good steward of the little things, God will give you opportunities in greater things. Be watching for these opportunities. Don’t expect them if you aren’t faithful now, but if you’re doing what God wants from you today, it just may be that he will open up a door soon for you to have a greater influence and impact. But remember, it’s hard to steer a parked car! Get moving for God. He’ll guide you in His perfect will.

4. Check everything in light of God’s Word & Godly Counsel

“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. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” Proverbs 15:22

There are dangers to stepping out to serve God. Many won’t understand. Many will mock you. Many will tell you to go another route with your life. Another danger is doing something based on emotions. This is why you need the counsel of God’s word and the counsel of Godly leaders in your life. You can’t trust how you “feel” because the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and we can’t know it! (see Jeremiah 17:9).

So, realize that every decision we make ought not to contradict Scripture. That’s why God’s word was given to us; as a roadmap to knowing Him and his Will for our lives. Stay in his Word. Don’t assume you know what his will is because of how you feel. Check it against the Bible.

Second, surround yourself with men and women of God that can help you see things that you may not be able to see. Some call this mentorship. You need a mentor. You need somebody that will be honest with you enough to help you. You need somebody to point out areas in your life that still need improving. You need somebody that has “been there” and can help you avoid common mistakes. This is a biblical model. Jesus mentored the 12 disciples. Paul mentored Timothy, Titus and others. Elijah mentored Elisha. Find somebody to learn from and stick with them like glue.

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So, in conclusion, how do we know the Will of God? Is it something mysterious that can’t be known? No. God WANTS us to know his will, and he WANTS to do a work through our lives. For some this might be “full-time” ministry such as being a missionary, a pastor, a wife of such, etc… but for ALL of us, he wants several things from us. In review:

1. Be in the Family of God

2. Be in Fellowship with God

3. Be Faithful to God

4. Be Following God

You can know His will! He can use your life. If I can personally help you with any of this, please let me know. Email me, call me, whatever is best for you. There’s nothing like living in the middle of God’s will. It isn’t always easy, but it is the most blessed, joyful and fulfilling life we could ever hope to live.