Understanding what the will of the LORD is- it is written in the volume of the books of me- eph. 5:16-17

1. God is Sovereign above all (Psalm 135:6)

But even knowing the future, he censors some events that He himself originates and orders events that He disapproves of, according to His purpose.

It is his Decree or Sovereign Will, which exists from eternity and is fulfilled, whether we want to or not (Daniel 4:35). 

2. The perceptive will or obedience to His commandments

It is what He commands us to do (Matthew 7:21). This will can be disobeyed daily, believe in it or not(John 7:17).

Both wills go hand in hand from eternity 🤝.

The sovereign will that God reveals, when accepted as it really is, catalyzes our longing and seeking fulfillment in our lives of God's perceptual will why? 

The theologies explain that it responds to our need when we go through difficulties: to know that God allows certain events (good or bad) and is always in control of everything, and at the same time, that God identifies with us and does not revel in our disobedience.

B. How does it manifest itself?

Sometimes God reveals his will very clearly (Micah 6:8). 

But that's not always the case. Since ancient times, God has revealed his plan and purpose to the human being.

We read it all over the Scripture. 

His Word reveals everything we need to know.

And his will that remains secret does not contradict what was already revealed in the scriptures, for God is neither a liar nor we are in condition or ability to know everything (John 16:12).

Other times it is the Holy Spirit who helps us to properly understand and interpret His will (Romans 8:26-27). 

✝ He was sent to guide us to the truth of God and as such. 

Let us not forget that God manifests himself in many different ways; to listen to it, we need spiritual discipline such as prayer, fasting, worship, and deep biblical meditation.

C. Why is it so important?

God wants us to know His will and its purpose for our lives, that we may live with joy (Ephesians 1:5). 

Sometimes our lifestyle, hard work, and lack of intimacy in our communication with God hinder the process (Matthew 13:22).

There are those who spend money on books related to the subject, others come with "prophets or teachers" to tell them the future, and others believe that by following certain religious practices they are doing His will. 

We focus more on knowing God's secrets than on obeying Him. 

Instead of asking us What is His will for my life? We should ask ourselves, am I doing His will?

Ephesians 5:17 exhorts us to know His will, for this eliminates false religion, helps us to make sense of the Word, and to hold on to God when the trials come.

Everything that exists, even our lives, revolves around His will, whether decreed or perceptive. Disobeying it will always lead us to failure, suffering and death.

2) How Do I Do The Will Of God?

The Word reveals that God has a plan for each of us. 

His Will is revealed only to believers who have been born again (What is a born again Christian?) (Romans 12:2), for the carnal mind is not able to understand the things of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).

The renewed mind is left to be governed by God and subject to His will. 

Only through Christ can we transform our minds to have a good relationship with God and know His plan 🙏.

His will is revealed in the Word, which is the only and sufficient supreme authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17) for believers.

A true Christian does God's will at all costs. It is not always easy to obey it, but we know that it is good, pleasant, and perfect (Romans 12:2).

All that has been revealed to us in the Bible is sufficient for us to love God, trust in Him, and live according to His Will.

Here are some truths set forth by Scripture about living according to God's Will:

• May we live away from sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and live in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).
• May we have grateful hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:18) for what we have received through his grace.
• May we be an example to the unreviewed world by reflecting with our lives the example of Christ (1 Peter 2:15).
• It is not His will that any man should lose and die (Ezekiel 18:32 and 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9).
• Listen to our prayers (1 John 5:14) and ask for His will to be fulfilled in our lives.

⚠ Many times we focus more on our desires or asking God to change our circumstances according to our plans, without thinking about His will.

God always uses circumstances to perfect you and train you for your plan.

Remember: God does not fulfill whims, he accomplishes purposes.

3) Bible Verses About God´s Will

The Word is full of verses that speak of God's Will. Here are some of the things:

"... so that you may compromising whatever the goodwill of God, pleasant and perfect" 
Romans 12:2

"For God's will is your sanctification..."
1 Thessalonians 4:3

"Whosoever will do the will of God shall know whether the doctrine is of God..." John 7:17

"... that having done God's will, you may obtain the promise"
Hebrews 10:36

"For this is the will of God: that by doing well, let us silence the ignorance of foolish men" 
1 Peter 2:15

"And the world passes, and his desires, but he that does the will of God, remains forever" 
1 John 2:17

4) Conclusion

God has will like human beings. 

His will is more than a theological concept.

It has existed since ancient times manifested in two: as sovereign or decreed and as a perceptive of its commandments.

The difference is that one is fulfilled, whether we want to or not, and the other is painfully transgressed daily for our sins 😈.

For a Christian, God's will is a priority, for the success of a Christian is measured by his degree of obedience to the Word and thus to the will of God.

To do this, we need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, for the natural mind is not able to be subjected to God's will. 

Only when we accept Christ as Lord does the Holy Spirit renews our minds, helps us understand God's will and practice His commandments in our daily lives

To know wisdom and instruction: In the opening of his collection of proverbs, Solomon explained the purpose of these sayings of wisdom. They are intended to give the attentive reader wisdom, instruction, perception, and understanding.

i. To know wisdom: “We’re living in the ‘information age,’ but we certainly aren’t living in the ‘age of wisdom.’ Many people who are wizards with their computers seem to be amateurs when it comes to making a success out of their lives.” (Wiersbe)

b. To perceive the words of understanding: The reference to sight (as also in Proverbs 3:21) implies that these words of wisdom could be read and were in fact read.

i. “In Sumer and in ancient Egypt, schoolboys wrote down the instruction literature, and in ancient Israel most children were literate (Deut. 6:9; 11:20; Judg. 8:14). With the invention of the alphabet in the first half of the second millennium, any person of average intelligence could learn to read and probably to write within a few weeks. The earliest extant text in Hebrew (ca. 900 b.c.) is a child’s text recounting the agricultural calendar. A. Millard says that ancient Hebrew written documents demonstrate that readers and writers were not rare and that few Israelites would have been unaware of writing.” (Waltke)

c. To know wisdom: It is helpful to remember the difference between wisdom and knowledge. One may have knowledge without wisdom. Knowledge is the collection of facts; wisdom is the right use of what we know for daily living. Knowledge can tell one how financial systems work; wisdom manages a budget properly.

i. “It is probably a safe bet to say that most people today are not much interested in wisdom. They are interested in making money and in having a good time. Some are interested in knowing something, in getting an education. Almost everyone wants to be well liked. But wisdom? The pursuit of wisdom is not a popular ideal.” (Boice on Psalm 111)

d. To receive the instruction of wisdom: Proverbs is something of a school of wisdom. We come to it with open hearts and minds, receiving its teaching. If we do, it will show as justice, judgment, and equity flow from our lives.

i. “And herein, as one well observeth, the poorest idiot being a sound Christian, goeth beyond the profoundest clerks that are not sanctified, that he hath his own heart instead of a commentary to help him to understand even the most needful points of the Scripture.” (Trapp)

e. To give prudence to the simple: The simple one is uneducated and needs instruction. The wisdom of this book will make the young, inexperienced one know what to do and how to do it in life. It will give the young man knowledge and discretion.

i. One characteristic of the simple man is that he is gullible. The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.(Proverbs 14:15)

ii. Simple: “The word indicates the person whose mind is dangerously open. He is gullible, he is naïve. He may have opinions, but he lacks deeply thought-through and field-tested convictions.” (Phillips)

iii. “The son and the gullible (Proverbs 1:4-5) stand on the threshold of full adulthood. The time is at hand when the son and the gullible (Proverbs 1:4-5) must make a decisive stand for the godly parents’ and sages’ world-and-life views and values. Two conflicting worldviews make their appeal, ‘of Wisdom/Folly, Good/Pseudo-Good, Life/Death,’ and one must choose between them, for there is no third way.” (Waltke)

f. A wise man will hear and increase learning: The Book of Proverbs is not only for the simple and inexperienced. Even a wise man will find much to help and guide him, if he will only hear. Even a man of understandingcan attain wise counsel from Proverbs.

i. “Proverbs is not simply for the naive and the gullible; everyone can grow by its teachings. Discerning people can obtain guidance from this book so that they might continue in the right way.” (Ross)

g. To understand a proverb and an enigma: The wisdom of the Book of Proverbs can also help us to solve difficult problems and some of the riddles of life.

3. (7) The foundation of all wisdom.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

a. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: The Book of Proverbs focuses on practical life wisdom more than theological ideas. Yet it is founded on a vital theological principle – that true knowledge and wisdom flow from the fear of the LORD.

i. This fear of the LORD is not a cowering, begging fear. It is the proper reverence that the creature owes to the Creator and that the redeemed owes to the Redeemer. It is the proper respect and honoring of God. Several writers give their definition of the fear of the LORD:

· “But what is the fear of the LORD? It is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law.” (Bridges)

· “A worshipping submission to the God of the covenant.” (Kidner)

· “‘The fear of the Lord’ ultimately expresses reverential submission to the Lord’s will and thus characterizes a true worshiper.” (Ross)

· “The fear of the Lordsignifies that religious reverence which every intelligent being owes to his Creator.” (Clarke)

ii. God should be regarded with respect, reverence, and awe. This proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom cannot advance further until this starting point is established.

iii. If true wisdom can be simply gained by human effort, energy, and ingenuity (like the rare and precious metals of the earth), then the fear of the LORD is not essential to obtaining wisdom. But if it comes from God’s revelation, then right relationship with Him is the key to wisdom.

iv. “What the alphabet is to reading, notes to reading music, and numerals to mathematics, the fear of the LORD is to attaining the revealed knowledge of this book.” (Waltke)

b. The beginning of knowledge: Solomon probably meant knowledge here mostly in the sense of wisdom. The idea that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom is also found at Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, and Ecclesiastes 12:13.

i. Beginning has the sense of “the first and controlling principle, rather than a stage which one leaves behind; cf. Eccl. 12:13.” (Kidner)

ii. “The fundamental fact, then, is that in all knowledge, all understanding of life, all interpretation thereof, the fear of Jehovah is the principal thing, the chief part, the central light, apart from which the mind of man gropes in darkness, and misses the way.” (Morgan)

iii. “The fall of man was a choosing of what bid fair ‘to make one wise’ (Gen. 3:6) but flouted the first principle of wisdom, the fear of the Lord.” (Kidner)

B. Instruction to a son.

1. (8-9) Appeal to hear and receive the wisdom of parents.

My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.

a. My son, hear the instruction of your father: This is a warm and appropriate scene. A fatherspeaks to his son, encouraging him to receive the wisdom of his parents. It is often the nature of the young to be slow to receive the wisdom of their older generation.

i. The mention of a sonreminds us of another tragedy or irony regarding the life of Solomon. The man who had 700 wives and 300 concubines left record of only one son, Rehoboam – and he was a fool.

ii. Because both the fatherand the mother are mentioned, we know that teaching the children wisdom is the responsibility of both parents.

iii. The mention of instruction shows that Solomon understood that children are not to be taught only, or even primarily, through bodily punishment (such as a spanking). Children are regarded as capable of thought, learning, and obedience beyond blind submission.

b. They will be a graceful ornament on your head: The idea is that the instruction and law given from parent to child will adorn the life of their children, if they will only receive it. Like a crown on your head or chains about the neck, such wisdom will be a reward to a younger generation.

2. (10-14) The enticement of sinners.

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—

a. My son, if sinners entice you: Solomon first warned his son about the danger of bad company. The actions of some people clearly reveal them to be sinners, more than in the general sense in which we are all sinners. The young must resist the enticements of these men.

i. Significantly, this firstinstruction and warning in the book of Proverbs speaks to the company we keep and the friendships we make. There are few more powerful forces and influences upon our life than the friends we choose. It has been said, show me your friends and I can see your future. It speaks to the great need for God’s people to be more careful and wiser in their choice of friends.

ii. Do not consent: “They can do thee no harm unless thy will join in with them…. Not even the devil himself can lead a man into sin till he consents. Were it not so, how could God judge the world?” (Clarke)

b. Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood: When the wicked plot their evil actions, the wise son will not consent. He will distance himself from them, no matter what the promised or potential gain may be (we shall fill our houses with spoil).

i. Part of their enticement was simply the sense of belonging: come with us. “Apparently in ancient Israel, no less than in the modern world, the comradeship, easy money, and feeling of empowerment offered by gangs was a strong temptation to the young man who felt overwhelmed by the difficulties of the life he confronted every day.” (Garrett)

ii. Solomon described the words of sinners in terms of their real meaning and effect, and not what they actually said. Surely such sinners would appeal to riches and quick gain, and not merely invite this one to shed blood. Solomon tells us to hear what people mean with such promises of quick and easy riches, not only what they say.

3. (15-19) The end that will come upon the plotters of violence.

My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;
But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.

a. Do not walk in the way with them: The guidance from father to son was simple and clear. Stay away from the wicked and all their plotting, for their feet run to evil.

i. In vain the net is spread in the sight of the bird: “The bird does not see any connection between the net and what is scattered on it; he just sees food that is free for the taking. In the process he is trapped and killed. In the same way, the gang cannot see the connection between their acts of robbery and the fate that entraps them.” (Garrett)

ii. Tragically, Solomon’s company with sinners – in the form of his wives who were given to idolatry – became a trap he himself was caught in.

b. They lie in wait for their own blood: Ultimately, the gain promised by the wicked can never be fulfilled. They say, let us lie in wait to shed blood(Proverbs 1:11), but in fact they are the hunted. They seek to take the life and livelihood of others, but their greed takes away the life of its owners.

C. Wisdom calls to the simple ones.

1. (20-21) Wisdom’s public call.

Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:

a. Wisdom calls aloud outside: Solomon presents wisdom as a person, a woman who offers her guidance and help to the world. Her cry is aloud but often ignored.

i. “And this wisdom is said to cry with a loud voice, to intimate both God’s earnestness in inviting sinners to repentance, and their inexcusableness if they do not hear such loud cries.” (Poole)

ii. “The greatest tragedy is that there’s so much noise that people can’t hear the things they really need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but all they hear are the confused communications clutter, foolish voices that lead them farther away from the truth.” (Wiersbe)

b. Outside…in the open squares…. the chief concourses…the gates in the city: Wisdom presents herself to everyone in every place. She offers her help to anyone who will give attention to her words.

i. “Here the open proclamation…to make it clear that the offer of wisdom is to the man in the street, and for the business of living, not to an élite for the pursuit of scholarship.” (Kidner)

2. (22-27) An appeal to the simple ones.

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.

a. How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?Wisdom begins her appeal by addressing those who most need her help – the simple ones, those who are untrained in the ways of wisdom.

i. She challenged those without wisdom to give account for their lack, asking “How long?” How many more weeks, months, or years will the simple onesreject or neglect wisdom’s help?

ii. “If the call has been extended for some time—‘How long?’ (Proverbs 1:22; see also Isaiah 65:2)—then this warning is given for a prolonged refusal. Because wisdom has been continually rejected, wisdom will laugh at the calamity of those who have rejected it.” (Ross)

iii. The problem with these simple ones was that they loved their simplicity. They preferred their foolish ignorance than the effort and correction required by the love and pursuit of wisdom.

b. For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge: This scorn describes those who boastfully reject and despise God’s wisdom. They lovetheir simplicity and scorn, and they hate knowledge.

i. “Scorners think they know everything (Proverbs 21:24) and laugh at the things that are really important. While the simple one has a blank look on his face, the scorner wears a sneer.” (Wiersbe)

ii. “Fools are people who are ignorant of truth because they’re dull and stubborn. Their problem isn’t a low IQ or poor education; their problem is a lack of spiritual desire to seek and find God’s wisdom.” (Wiersbe)

iii. We can see a downward progression. You started gullible, then became a fool, and ended up a scorner (mocker).

c. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you: The embrace of wisdom begins with a turn. One must be willing to change direction from the pursuit of foolishness and turn towards God and His wisdom. This response to wisdom’s rebuke invites wisdom to pouritself out.

i. It seems that the description here is of the spirit of wisdom, not specifically the Holy Spirit. The two concepts do not contradict each other, but they are also not exactly the same.

d. Because I have called and you refused: This is the rebukethat wisdom offered. She promised that if she were rejected, she would laugh at your calamity. Rejected wisdom has nothing to offer the fool when destruction comes like a whirlwind.

i. “Wisdom does not laugh at disaster, but at the triumph of what is right over what is wrong when your disaster happens.” (Waltke)

3. (28-33) The consequences of wisdom rejected.

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

a. They will call on me, but I will not answer: When wisdom is rejected, she has no alternative plan for the fool. In the time of crisis, the fool cannot expect to beg for and receive instant wisdom (they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me).

b. And did not choose the fear of the LORD: Since this fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7, Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, and Ecclesiastes 12:13), to reject this respect of God is to reject wisdom.

c. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way: The consequences of rejecting wisdom cannot be avoided. The end result of this love of foolishness and scorn will be death (will slay them) and destruction (will destroy them).

i. “Eat as they baked, drink as they brewed. They that sow the wind of iniquity, shall reap the whirlwind of misery.” (Trapp)

ii. Turning away: “The eleven other occurrences of turning away are all in Hosea or Jeremiah, always with reference to Israel’s apostasy, faithlessness, and backsliding from God and from the Mosaic covenant.” (Waltke)

iii. Their own way: “The reason for the sinner’s ruin is placed again at his own door. He is wayward since he turns away from wisdom’s beckoning voice. He despises the only cure.” (Bridges)

iv. “If, elsewhere in the book, fool and scorner appear to be fixed types, it is their fault, not their fate: they are eating of the fruit of their own way.” (Kidner)

d. But whoever listens to me will dwell safely: Those who do listen to wisdom’s call will be secure, without fear of evil. Their fear of the LORD resulted in their having no fear of evil.

i. “And as a wicked man’s mind is oft full of anxiety in the midst of all his outward prosperity and glory, so the mind of a good man is filled with peace and joy, even when his outward man is exposed to many troubles.” (Poole)

ii. Without fear of evil: “Death shall lose its terrors, and become the Father’s servant, ushering you into His presence. Pain and sufferingshall but cast into relief the stars of Divine promise. Poverty will have no pangs, and no storms, no alarms.” (Meyer)

Rather, conversion is God’s work, and He had performed that work in David’s heart. David didn’t choose God; God chose David and took him from the sheepfolds to shepherd His people (Ps. 78:70-71). While 1 Samuel 16 has reference to David’s anointing as king, not to his conversion, the clear point of the incident applies to God’s ways in salvation, namely, that God chooses those whom the world often overlooks or rejects. Samuel would have picked David’s older brothers, not David. David’s father didn’t consider his youngest son enough of a candidate even to bring him in from the fields. But David was God’s choice. Even so, God chooses for salvation those whom the world would reject, so that none can boast before God (1 Cor. 1:27-31).

It’s enlightening to compare David and Saul on the matter of conversion. Whether Saul was genuinely converted or not is subject to debate, and perhaps we can never know for sure. He strikes me as an example of the seed sown on the thorny ground, which got choked out and did not bear fruit unto eternal life. But even so, Saul had some sort of dramatic spiritual experience in which “God changed his heart,” the Spirit of God came on him mightily, and he prophesied (1 Sam. 10:9-10). If David had a similar dramatic experience, it is not recorded in Scripture. Perhaps, like many who are converted in childhood, David could not put his finger on a date or describe a dramatic change.

But the subsequent lives of the two men lead in opposite directions. David followed the Lord; Saul’s course was marked by self-seeking and partial obedience under a veneer of spirituality (1 Sam. 13:8-14; 15:10-35). Although David had his share of sins, he always confessed and turned from them, whereas Saul compromised and made excuses. David was honored by God, but Saul ended his life in disgrace.

Genuine conversion may or may not be accompanied by some dramatic or emotional experience. Sometimes a person comes to Christ in a dramatic encounter, such as Paul on the Damascus Road. But at other times, a person cannot put his finger on the moment at which he was converted. Rather, he comes to a gradual awareness that God has done a work in his heart. But in every case, genuine conversion is a work of God in the human heart in which He imparts new life and a right standing before Him based on the work of Christ on the cross. It is not based upon human will power, but on the sovereign, unmerited favor and choice of God (John 1:13; Rom. 9:10-18; Eph. 1:4-5; 2:8-9; James 1:18).

I ask each of you to examine yourself in light of Scripture on this most crucial point. Hear me carefully: Growing up in a Christian home, being baptized, or joining a church does not mean that you’re converted. Praying to “invite Jesus into your heart,” making a decision for Christ, or having an emotional spiritual experience does not necessarily mean that you’re converted. Satan would want nothing more than for some of you who attend this church regularly to think that you’re converted when you’re really not!

So how do you know if you’re truly converted? Paul exhorts, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor. 13:5). Peter tells us, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:10).

Scripture gives a number of tests of whether faith is genuine or spurious (e.g., the whole book of 1 John): A truly converted person will have a growing sensitivity to and turning from sin (1 John 1:5-10). He will be growing in obedience to Christ and in love for His people (1 John 2:1-11). He will have a growing knowledge of and love for God’s truth as revealed in His Word (1 John 2:21-27). In short, he will be learning to turn from self-seeking and instead to seek the things of God (Luke 9:23-24).

One further thing: A converted person will not be apathetic about the things of God. Those who are complacent do not see their great need for God. But God says that such people do not know their true condition, that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and that He will spew them out of His mouth unless they repent (Rev. 3:15-19).

My former church history professor likes to ask people, “What evidence do you have that God has been merciful to your soul?” It’s a probing question! Don’t give rest to your soul until you can answer it. David was a young man after God’s heart because he had been truly converted by God. Everything else is built on this.

2. To have a heart after God’s heart, we must be Spirit-filled.

Note 1 Samuel 16:13. Before Pentecost, the Spirit of God did not permanently indwell all believers as He does in the present age of grace. Rather, He came upon certain ones to enable them to perform certain roles or tasks. He also could and did leave those who did not walk uprightly (1 Sam. 16:14; Ps. 51:11). When Samuel anointed David for the throne, the Holy Spirit came upon him mightily from that day forward. David was a markedly different young man because of the Holy Spirit.

If you are truly converted, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you (Rom. 8:9). But if you’re tolerating sin in your life or are living to please yourself rather than God, you are quenching or grieving the Spirit. You must confess all known sin and yield consciously and continually to the Holy Spirit so that He will produce His fruit in your life (Gal. 5:16-23).

A good question to ask is, “If the Holy Spirit were to withdraw from my life, how long would it take me to miss Him?” Am I so routine, so self-dependent, that I could go on for weeks and never realize that the Spirit had departed? Also, we need to be careful to realize that the prime mark of a Spirit-filled life is not miraculous signs and wonders, but rather the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and joyful endurance in times of trial (Col. 1:11-12). To be a man or woman after God’s heart, we must be truly converted and we must walk daily in dependence on the Holy Spirit.

3. To have a heart after God’s heart, we must spend time alone with God.

David was out in the field with his father’s sheep when a messenger, out of breath, came running up and said, “The prophet Samuel is with your family and he wants you to come!” So David went and to everyone’s bewilderment, Samuel anointed David (1 Sam. 16:1-13). I doubt if anyone except Samuel understood at that time the full significance of that act. But they knew it meant something. Then Samuel went back to Ramah (16:13). And where did David, the newly anointed king, go? Back to his sheep (16:19)! And what did he do out in the fields with those sheep? Fortunately, he didn’t have a Walkman or Watchman, or we wouldn’t have the Psalms! David used that time alone to develop his relationship with God.

Psalm 23 probably flowed out of those quiet times with God. Psalm 19 may also have been written while sitting out in the fields, meditating on God’s revelation through creation and through His written Word. David probably had a scroll of Moses’s writings which he read and thought about as he was in the fields. He also used that time to develop his skill as a musician (16:18), expressing his feelings of adoration toward God through psalms.

If you’re married with children at home, you probably will have to fight to make time to spend alone with the Lord. If you’re single, you’ll have to fight to use the time you have alone for spiritual growth rather than to yield to temptation. For most of my twenties, I was alone. I spent three months living and working in Chicago and another three months with the Coast Guard in the Oakland area. I had a lot of alone time in wicked cities where I knew almost no one else. I easily could have fallen into sin and nobody would have known.

I had to commit myself to use that time to seek the Lord. During my Coast Guard days, on my evenings off I used to take a Christian book and my Bible, drive over to a Denny’s near the base, drink coffee and read until about 10 p.m. On the way back to the base, there was a deserted section of road along the waterfront where I’d pull off and pray for a while. It was a lonely time, but I look back on it favorably because it was a time of growth in the Lord.

If we want to be men and women after God’s heart, we must spend consistent time alone with Him. Some people can’t stand to be alone. They fill every moment with noise from the radio or TV. They feel a need to be around people constantly. But you won’t grow in the things of God unless you spend time alone with Him. Let me make four practical suggestions in this regard:

Learn to read. I haven’t always been a reader. God used a friend to challenge me to start reading books to strengthen my spiritual life, and now I can’t find enough time to read. Remember, reading is a learned skill. Even if you aren’t good at it now, you can learn. Perhaps you should begin by taking a reading course at the library or by reading a book on how to read better. But once you learn to read, it opens up treasures from the greatest Christians of all time. Nothing has helped my spiritual life more than reading.

What should you read? First and foremost, read your Bible! Read it over and over again, cover to cover. The godly George Muller read his Bible over 200 times. He read through his Hebrew Old Testament seven times! As you read, don’t do it to check it off your list of things to do. Read prayerfully, asking God to reveal Himself and to show you your own heart, with a view to obedience. If you’ve never done it, 1993 would be a good time to read the entire Bible in a year.

Also, read Christian classics. Don’t waste your time on a lot of the modern junk being written. Go to authors who are solid theologically, who have a heart of devotion for God. Read Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan. Read some of Spurgeon’s sermons or the writings of J. C. Ryle. Read J. I. Packer’s A Quest for Godliness, which will open you up to the writings of the Puritans. Become a reader and your heart after God will grow! (I have a reading list available if you’re interested.)

Learn to pray. Use alone time to commune with God. Read and pray the Psalms, which reflect David’s communion with God. Study the Lord’s prayer and Paul’s prayers as models. I keep a prayer list, but I figure that God can read my list. I try to learn to commune with Him in prayer.

Learn to worship. Our public worship on Sundays should be an overflow of our private worship. Learn to adore God and marvel at His love in your time alone with Him. Express yourself by singing (you might have to be really alone to do this!). We forget sometimes that the Psalms were not just poems, they were put to music. God seeks those who worship Him.

Learn to think. You can’t think if you’re never alone with God. Learn to evaluate life in light of His Word. Think through current events, things you read, things others say, your current circumstances, your goals, and your family needs in light of God’s truth.

To have a heart after God’s heart, we must be converted; be Spirit-filled; spend time alone with God. Finally,

4. To have a heart after God’s heart, we must be obedient in small things.

When we first encounter David, he is tending his father’s sheep, a job his older brothers looked down on (1 Sam. 17:28). David’s father didn’t even consider David important enough to be included at the big event with Samuel (16:11). But God saw David’s faithfulness in this seemingly unimportant task. It was part of his apprenticeship for leading the nation (Ps. 78:70-72). He took his job seriously. When a predator attacked one of the sheep, David didn’t shrug his shoulders and say, “Oh, well, I’m not going to risk my neck for that dumb sheep!” He went after it and rescued it (17:34-35).

Later, Saul heard of David’s skill as a musician and summoned him to the palace. I’m sure that as David played his harp out in the fields, he never dreamed that it would someday open the door for him to play before King Saul. But, when it did, David served well in this more important task (1 Sam. 16:14-23).

Then came war with the Philistines. David’s older brothers joined Saul on the battlefield. But where was David? Back tending his father’s sheep again, and serving as errand boy for his father (17:14-15). When Jesse wanted David to go find out about his brothers’ welfare, he carefully made provision for his shepherding responsibilities and obeyed his father without complaint (17:20).

When David got to the battlefront and heard of Goliath’s blasphemous challenge, he began asking some questions (17:26). This threatened David’s oldest brother, who put David down with a sarcastic question (17:28). David easily could have returned insult for insult: “Some battle, you coward! Why don’t you go out after Goliath?” But instead, David held his tongue (17:29-30). He was learning obedience in his speech (16:18).

None of these things represent any big deal. But they all combine to show that as a teenager David was learning to be obedient to God in the insignificant situations where God placed him. He was already anointed by the great prophet Samuel. He could have said, “I’m not going back to those silly sheep. Get a servant to do it!” Or, “I’m not your errand boy! I’m the future king!”

Obedience in small things may not seem like much, but it’s like the small strands that are woven together to make a rope. We all tend to sit around wishing that God would use us for some important task, like slaying Goliath, not realizing that it’s obedience in the small, everyday tasks God sets before us that weave together to make the rope that enables us to bring down Goliath. The moral fiber which enables us to attack and defeat the huge problems in life is made up of the strands of obedience in the little moral choices that confront us daily: integrity, controlling wrong thoughts, guarding our speech, controlling anger, submitting to authority.

Conclusion

I once heard a pastor tell of an opportunity he had to speak to the national directors of a large mission organization. He was scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. A friend from the mission picked him up and as they drove to the conference center, the pastor asked how the morning had gone. It turned out that the directors had been divided and had some heated debates over some policy matters--not an ideal setting to minister!

The pastor began by asking the men to bow their heads and to raise their hands if they had spent time alone with God that morning. Remember, these were top mission officials! But only a few hands out of many went up. So the pastor took some time for them to spend quietly before God before he spoke. Then he insisted that they spend three hours the next morning in the Word and prayer before he came to speak at 1 p.m. At first they balked, protesting that they had too much work to do. But he stuck to his guns. He said that they were a different group of men the next day when he got up to speak!

Do you want God’s supreme compliment applied to you--that you are a person after God’s heart? Make sure you’re truly converted. Depend consciously each day on the Holy Spirit. Spend time alone with God often. And, practice obedience in the small things He gives you to do. That’s how God developed David from a shepherd boy to a great king. Every person who has a heart after God’s heart must walk the same way.

Discussion Questions

1. How can a person have assurance that he/she is genuinely converted? Use Scripture in your answer.
2. How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Again, use Scripture to answer.
3. How can a Christian have quality times alone with God?
4. Should we obey God even if we don’t feel like it? Isn’t this legalism or hypocrisy?

Copyright 1993, Steven J. Cole, All Rights Reserved.

Unless

Lord.

… in view of God’s mercy…

Similar to starting this sentence with “therefore”, Paul connects his upcoming command with a reason, a motivation: God’s mercy.

Since God has been merciful to us, we in return should…

… to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…

That's some strong language. If you are very familiar with this verse, you may need to take a step back to see it. 

We are to offer ourselves up to God as a sacrifice. Sacrifices made in Old Testament times were burned on the altar. We - in a sense- die and live for Christ.

We give up our very bodies to be a living sacrifice for Jesus - one that is holy and pleasing to God. Surely that entails following His commands and will. 

… This is your true and proper worship.

Worship is not just what happens in sanctuaries across the globe on Sunday mornings. 

We worship God with our lives when we are committed to Him and His will. Part of His will for you may be mundane things like taking care of your home. Yet, every toilet cleaning is an act of worship when it’s done with a spirit of servanthood.  

Do not conform to the patterns of this world…

Much of the Bible's teaching stands in contrast to the patterns of this world that we live in. As we are constantly surrounded by the world's values and habits, we are called to be different. 

How do we guard ourselves from conforming to this world?

… but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Paul told us what NOT to do (conform to the patterns of this world), and here is what we ought to do instead: be transformed.

In Jesus, our minds are actually renewed over time as we grow in our faith, and we undergo a transformation. Once we lived like the world but now we live for Christ as living and holy sacrifices.

Notice that while most of these verses are in an active voice, meaning you, the believer, are responsible, this phrase is in the passive voice, meaning this is something that happens to you. 

God is the one who transforms you by renewing your mind when you do not conform to this world but give your life as a sacrifice to the Lord. You do not have to figure out how to transform yourself.

That’s the power of Christ in you!

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is…

You know what’s the best part of being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

You are able to: 

1. figure out what God’s will is.

2. whole-heartedly agree with and commit to His will for you - yes, even when you don’t fully understand what He is doing.

How can that be?

His good, pleasing and perfect will.

As believers, we have a relational knowledge of God, and one thing we know is that His will is good, pleasing, and perfect.

It may not be the easiest route or the one we would have picked if we were in charge. But as believers, we live with the certainty that God’s will is better than ours.

We rejoice that we are not in charge but rather the holy God of heaven and on earth. 

We trust that, even if we never see His reasoning this side of heaven, we will always seek and trust His will above all. 

May God grant us understanding to know His will and commit to it completely.

Knowing God’s Will Starts With Trusting In The Lord 

If we want to know God’s will, we must trust in Him with all our hearts. .

God is worthy of our wholehearted, unreserved, unquestioning trust. He will take care of every detail of our lives, lead us, guide us, and shepherd us. He won’t leave us to flounder and fail in the muck of life. We can and must throw ourselves upon the Lord and trust that He’ll hold us.

When we don’t know where to go, we’re tempted to stop trusting God. We fear. We tremble. We worry about the future. The first step to knowing God’s will is trusting in God with all our hearts. 

Knowing God’s Will Doesn’t Come From Our Own Understanding

When it comes to knowing God’s will, we can either lean on our own understanding or God’s understanding. We lean on our own understanding when we trust our unstable feelings instead of God’s unshakable word.

We lean on our own understanding when we trust our own opinions rather than the wise counsel of those around us. Our own understanding will collapse beneath us, causing us to fall off of God’s path. God’s understanding never crumbles.

We lean on our own understanding when we don’t trust God with all our hearts.

We lean on our own understanding when we neglect the straightforward commands of the Bible.

There will be times when it seems to make more sense to go our way rather than God’s way. In those moments, we must refuse to lean on our own understanding.

Knowing God’s Will Comes When We Acknowledge God

We’re called to acknowledge God in all our ways. Not just a few of our ways, or most of our ways, but all our ways. Our attitude must always be, “Your will, not mine Lord.”

Every decision we make, from the job we take to the parenting style we choose, must be rooted in our commitment to serve and obey God.

We acknowledge God’s ways through the prayerful reading of scripture, depending on the wisdom of others, and prayerfully making decisions.

God Will Make Straight Our Path

Isn’t this a wonderful promise?

If we trust in the Lord, do not lean on our own understanding, and acknowledge him in all our ways, God WILL make our path straight. Period.

In other words, we don’t have to worry that we will miss God’s will.

If we make decisions in humble dependence on God, he’ll lead us on straight paths. We don’t need to fear or worry because God is committed to making our path straight.

As you walk through life, don’t panic when big decisions come your way. You can be confident that his grace is sufficient for wherever he leads you. God is for you and wants to lead you on the straight path.

Should We Use “Fleeces” To Know God’s Will?

You’ve probably heard of or used spiritual “fleeces” as a way of knowing God’s will.

It works something like this…

Let’s say you’ve got a big decision to make.

You’ve got a fat job offer, but there are some potential problems. You’re thinking about this girl that you really like, but you’re not sure what the outcome will be. You’re trying to figure out if you should buy a house or keep renting. How do you decide? What is God’s will?

How about putting out fleeces? You know, just like Gideon.

In Judges 6, God called Gideon to deliver the people of Israel from the hand of the Midianites.

But Gideon was a jittery, nervous fellow, and he wanted to be sure that God was with him, so he asked God to give him signs.

In Judges 6:36-40 Gideon laid out a fleece. If the fleece was wet but the ground was dry, then he could be sure that God was on his side. Next day, wet fleece, dry ground.

But Gideon needed a little more assurance, so he decided to ask for one more test. If the fleece was dry but the ground was wet, then God was definitely with him. Once again, God came through. Dry fleece, wet ground.

Should We Ask For “Signs” Of God’s Will?

Should we ask God for signs when we’re making decisions? You know, some sort of supernatural indicator of God’s will?

Lord, if this job is from you, let me see a cloud in the shape of a cross right now. If I’m supposed to ask this girl out, let her text message me in the next five minutes. 

Is this what we’re after?

I don’t think so. If you read the story of Gideon closely, you’ll see that Gideon is not an example for us to follow. In Judges 6:12,14, the angel of the Lord came to Gideon and said:

The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor…And the LORD turned to him and said, Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?

God tells Gideon flat out that He’s with him, and then commands him to go and give the Midianites a beat-down. But Gideon isn’t buying it. Even though he is speaking face to face with God, he isn’t convinced that God is with him. So he starts playing the sign game.

In Judges 6:36, Gideon says, “If you will save Israel by my hand…”, and then he lays down the first fleece.

A few verses later, before putting down the second fleece, he says, “Let not your anger burn against me…Please let me test just once more…” Gideon knew that he shouldn’t be putting God to the test, but he just had to have a sign.

Why did God answer Gideon’s requests? Because He’s gracious and often stoops to our level of faith.

Gideon isn’t our example. Don’t lay any fleeces before the Lord. Rather, go through the biblical process of asking God for wisdom, seeking the wise counsel of others, and then making a decision.

We Can Know God’s Will Through His Word And His Spirit

Instead of fleeces and supernatural signs, we know God’s will through his word.

God’s word is a treasure chest of wisdom and guidance. It contains all we need to know about God and how to obey him. It is filled with his will from cover to cover. In addition, God fills us with his own Spirit, The Counselor, who guides us into all truth and shows us what to do in every situation.

God also speaks through the preaching of his Word and books written by Christian teachers. He also guides us through godly Christian counselors, our parents, pastors, wise friends, and fellow believers.

God Will Guide You To Walk In His Ways

We all face difficult and life-changing decisions, which is why I’m so grateful for God’s incredible promise in Psalm 32:8:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

This is one of the Scripture’s most encouraging promises. I regularly pray “Thank you, Father, that you have promised to instruct me and teach me in the way I should go and counsel me with your eye upon me. Please guide me in this decision I am facing. Please show me what to do. Please give me wisdom. Thank, you, Father that you have promised you will.”

God Will Instruct You In His Will

“I will instruct you… I will counsel you…My eye upon you.” God doesn’t delegate his counsel to an angel or anyone else. The very fountain of all wisdom counsels us.

The one who devised the laws of nature, who knows how the whole universe works together, who knows all things, including the future; the one who knows us intimately, who knows what is best for us and loves us so deeply he shed his only Son’s blood to purchase us. This is the one who instructs us and counsels us.

He wants us to lead lives of maximum effectiveness and fruitfulness. He desires to display his goodness, kindness, mercy, and transforming power through us. God wants to counsel us more than we want his counsel.

He Guides Us Because He’s A Loving Father

If any of my children faced difficulties and ask for my advice I wouldn’t say figure it out on your own. I want my children to do well. I want my children to have every good thing. I want my children to know and enjoy God. If I desire these things from my children, how much more does our heavenly Father desire them for us.

But Can You Miss God’s Will For Your Life?

Decision making can be a paralyzing experience.

Say, for example, that you have been offered a new job in a different state? Should you take it? Well, it depends. What are the schools like in the area? What is the traffic like? Are there any nuclear power plants nearby? Is the increased salary worth the emotional cost of moving your family? Will you be forced to root for the Dallas Cowboys?

All these different factors can make it difficult to decide.

Now throw the whole issue of God’s will into the mix? Is it really God’s will for you to move? It seems like it’s God’s will, but maybe it’s not. What if you make a terrible mistake and somehow miss the will of God? Are you going to end up in some purgatorial situation because you accidentally missed God’s will?

The fear of missing God’s will is enough to paralyze any Christian. But here’s the question: can a Christian miss the will of God for their life? Could you somehow go your entire life being outside of God’s good plan for you?

It seems that the Bible teaches that, yes, you can miss God’s will. It also teaches that no, you can’t miss God’s will.

You Can Miss God’s Will If…

The way to miss God’s will is really simple: ignore the Bible. In the Bible, God has told us exactly what we should do when it comes to making decisions.

First, we should determine if our decision goes against anything clearly spelled out in the Bible. The Bible is clear that fellowship with other believers is necessary for our Christian growth. If taking a job will cut you off from fellowship with others, it’s not God’s will for you to take the job.

Second, we should ask God to give us wisdom. James 1:5-6 says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…

Getting wisdom from God isn’t a mystical, super spiritual experience. It means asking God to help us think clearly and biblically about the decision in front of us.

When we ask for wisdom we should believe God is going to give it to us. God isn’t trying to hide his good will from us. He wants to help us understand the right way to walk.

Third, we should ask the opinion of others. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

This is so gloriously simple. Finding God’s will for your life is as simple as asking the opinion of other, godly Christians. Lay the situation out before them, and then let God speak to you through their counsel.

You Can’t Miss God’s Will If…

If we heed the counsel of scripture, we won’t miss God’s will. God isn’t hiding his will or trying to trick us into making a bad decision. If we evaluate our decision by scripture, ask for wisdom, and then ask the opinion of others, we are doing what God requires of us. He promises to guide us through that process.

We don’t need to seek a subjective, mystical, spiritual feeling when it comes to decision making. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes God gives us peace about a decision, and that’s a blessing. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes we might not feel one way or another about a decision.

In general, feelings are a very bad barometer of the truth. A feeling of peace can come from God, but it can also come from a lot of other things, like a glass of wine or a good nap.

Plus, what exactly constitutes the “right” feeling when it comes to a decision? Is it peace? Or maybe joy? Or a sense of rightness?

The Bible doesn’t tell us what we’re supposed to feel about our decisions. Instead, it tells us how to make biblical, God-honoring decisions. So if you have a big decision to make, don’t freak out. Instead, go to the Word, ask for wisdom, and get others involved.

2. God’s Will and Suffering

In 1 Peter 3, Peter is writing about doing good and that we may need to suffer for doing what is right. 

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:17 ESVnone

For example, if I realize that I need to apologize to someone, it may cause suffering in how I approach the situation, how the person responds, or whether that person forgives me. However, if I don’t apologize to that person, the sin in my heart may fester, cause me to lie, be angry, or harbor bitterness toward this person, and the relationship may suffer. There are so many verses about forgiving others that I believe God’s Will for me would be to apologize to that person, no matter how hard it is. The opposite choice will lead to more evil, hardship, and health issues.

3. This is the will of God – your sanctification

For this is the will of God, your sanctification. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3a, ESVnone

Once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are all in the process of being sanctified or becoming holy. God wants us to put off the things from our former life that are not pleasing to Him. They are deceitful or corrupt. These are things that a holy God wouldn’t have in His presence. And as we put these things away, we replace them with

the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:24, ESVnone

Sometimes it is hard to let go of the old way of life. Yet we need to do it. This new way of life leads to righteousness or right living and holiness.

4. God’s Will & Discernment

Paul told the believers in Rome not to conform to the standard of the world around them. Instead, he told them to transform their minds – to change from one way of thinking to another. Then when that way of thinking is proven to be the best way of doing it, we will have the ability to know what God’s desires are for us. And His Will is the perfect way to do it for us!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 ESVnone

5 to 7. Will of God to Rejoice Always, Pray Continuously, and Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances

The last three verses that specifically speaks to God’s Will are things we all need to do.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESVnone

Rejoice all the time. Thank God for a new life in Christ and rejoice that He died on the cross for our sins. Rejoicing can take on many forms: that a baby was born, a couple got married, or a new job.

When you pray without ceasing, it doesn’t mean your head is bowed, and you are constantly praying. If so, we wouldn’t get our work done! Praying without ceasing means that while you are going about your daily activities, you talk to God throughout the day. You may have a moment where you bow your head and focus. Or you are working on a task while you work and are stuck, so you ask God for wisdom or strength to complete it. While driving to or from the grocery store, you converse with God. Or you see a person on the street walking, so you lift them to the Lord.

Giving thanks during trying times is sometimes hard to do. Yet within those times, there is always something to be thankful for. It could be a kind word, a helping hand, or a friend who listened during uncertainty.

Summary of God’s Will Meaning

God’s Will meaning is about His sovereign will for all of humanity to be saved. There are specific actions that we can take in the 5 God’s will verses: what good we do, suffering for doing good, our becoming holy, obtaining discernment, and giving thanks in all circumstances.

***************

Reflection Thoughts:

1. How have you seen God’s sovereignty at work in your life? Like Joseph and many other Bible stories, God continues to work His Plan. Take a few minutes to reflect on how God has worked in your life. Thank Him for how He worked things for the good. 
2. You may have experienced some hard times. What were some learnings on how you weathered that storm and what God has taught you? You may still be in a learning phase. Look to God’s Word for help. If you have a specific prayer need, please email me, and I will be happy to pray for you!
3. God wants all people to have a relationship with Him. If you know Him personally, that is great! Thank Him again for what Jesus did on the cross for you! Pray for others that need the free gift of salvation that God offers through Jesus’s work on the cross. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, go to the Know Peace page for more information.
4. Seven verses specifically talked about God’s Will. Which one spoke to you the most? What actions can you take to do more good, be willing to suffer, be more holy, discern God’s Will, and practice thankfulness? Pray about your action plans and ask God for help!

Simply believing this, thanking God for it, and asking Him to reveal it will increase our faith. Putting God above our circumstances—affirming that He has a plan and will for us, regardless of how things look at the moment—is a powerful tool in seeking His will.

2. Focus on Jesus, not the Devil.

Jesus has this to say about Satan:

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Jesus did say we’d endure tribulation in this world, but promised perfect peace and comfort to those that abide in Him (John 16:33, Isaiah 26:3). In addition, David anticipated that “the Lord’s presence brings fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

If we are experiencing theft, destruction, or death, we can ask Jesus to give us the abundance of life He promises. We will face many trials, but they aren’t to be our dwelling place. The Lord may highlight things that are causing the trial, give us peace to endure, and even help us find joy in the midst of them (James 1:2–8).

Our God loves to make rivers in the desert and call the things that are not as though they were (Isaiah 41:18; Romans 4:17). Hold on to these promises and speak them back to God in faith.

In seeking Jesus, we will overcome as He overcame (Revelation 3:21). This is His will for us regardless of the circumstances we’re facing.

3. See yourself in the greater story.

Start to finish, Scripture tells an amazing story: God creates the world. Creation falls when man rebels against Him. The Lord sends His Son to suffer and die, taking our punishment. Now salvation is spreading around the world until Jesus returns to reclaim the earth.

Our story is caught up in God’s story. He has a redemption plan, and we’re all part of it.

In following Christ, we may suffer, as He did, but our suffering won’t be in vain.

For instance, when persecution arose against the early church as described in Acts 8, it actually propelled them to share the Gospel outside of Jerusalem—doing what Jesus had commanded them before He returned to heaven (Acts 1:8).

The Lord is always working to accomplish His will—the spread of the Gospel to all nations, the purification of His Church, and the glorious return of His Son.

Each of our stories fits somewhere in that. We can ask God for revelation about what He’s doing in this season and how we can partner with Him. Knowing the greater context will give us hope, and confidence, even when things are hard.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose . . . to be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28–29)

Conclusion

God’s will isn’t nebulous or impossible to know. Jesus has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age (when things will be the most difficult), and He will comfort and guide us by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, KJV).

As we press into Him, thanking Him for His plan and seeking our part in the greater story, we’ll experience peace, hope and joy—even the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6–7). That’s God’s will for us.

Having the full knowledge of God’s will issues in walking worthily of the Lord as He strengthens us with might for us to live Christ (Col. 1:9-11).

We all need to know the will of God – not only His will for our life or His will for our future and what we should do, but the great, eternal will of God.

God created all things because of His will, and because of His will we all exist (Rev. 4:11), so what is the great will of God?

In Col. 1:9 Paul prayed that the believers would be filled unto full knowledge of God’s will; this will is not the will of God concerning minor things in our human life but concerning what He wants to do, what His purpose and desire is.

For us to have the full knowledge of the will of God is for us to have the revelation of God’s plan so that we may know what God plans to do in the universe.

We may be believers in Christ who love the Lord, love the Word of God, love the church, and are living a normal Christian life and church life contacting the Lord and meeting with the saints, but we may not know what is the great and eternal will of God.

God’s will is related to Christ; His will is focused on Christ, for in His plan God wants to make everything in the divine economy. This means that to God Christ is everything – He is the center, the first, the last, the circumference, the beginning and the end, and everything that God has, is, has done, is doing, will do, and has accomplished.

But this all-inclusive, extensive Christneeds to also be our everything, that is, He needs to be enjoyed and experienced by us to become our everything in a practical and real way, and we will become the church as the fullness of Christ, the Body of Christ.

We need to have the full knowledge of God’s will, and when we do, we will have more experience of Christ.

How can we have more revelation of God’s will? How can we know the will of God, the great and eternal will of God?

It is not merely by studying the Bible or listening to sermons; it is by our spending time with the Lord in His word, having His light shine upon us to enlighten us, so that we may apprehend God’s plan with our spirit and understand it with our renewed mind.

This requires our exercise; we need to pay the price to daily be in the word of God, contacting the Lord, and allowing Him to renew our mind and speak to us; we need to let the Lord work Himself into us so that we may experience Him as the all-inclusive, extensive One.

And above all, we need to pray this to the Lord, asking Him to give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him.

Having the Full Knowledge of God’s Will Issues in Walking Worthily of the Lord

When we have the full knowledge of the will of God, we will walk worthily of the Lord; such a walk is one in which we live Christ (Col. 1:9-10; Phi. 1:19-21).

First, we need to receive the knowledge of God’s plan and then, based on that knowledge, we walk worthily of the Lord.

First comes the knowledge, and then comes the experience and walk based on that knowledge. Having the full knowledge of God’s will issues in walking worthily of the Lord.

We cannot walk worthily of the Lord unless we first have the full knowledge of God’s will, for knowing the will of God and the eternal plan of God will enable us to walk worthily of the Lord.

This confirms the spiritual principle that our revelation directs our walking, and our walk is under the control and guidance of the revelation that we have.

How can we have the full knowledge of the will of God? We need to spend time to read the Bible, meditate on the Lord’s word, and pray concerning these matters until we are filled with the truth and with the full knowledge of God’s eternal plan.

When we are filled with the knowledge of God’s will, we will have wisdom in our spirit and heart, and spiritual wisdom in our spiritually enlightened and renewed mind.

Mere knowledge of the doctrines in the Scriptures doesn’t work; we need to contact the Lord, be in His word, and exercise our spirit, and He will renew our mind little by little, He will give us the spiritual wisdom, and we will have the spiritual understanding of His will.

When we have the knowledge of the will of God – not in our natural mind with its natural concepts but in our renewed mind that has been given understanding by the Holy Spirit in our spirit – our living will be according to this knowledge.

When we have the knowledge of God’s will we will walk worthily of the Lord, for what we know will control and direct our daily walk.

To walk worthily of the Lord is to live and walk according to spiritual wisdom and understanding; in this way we grow by the full knowledge of God.

On our side, we need to spend time with the Lord in His Word and be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and when we get the revelation of His will, we have to walk according to it.

After we receive the revelation and vision concerning Christ, we will walk worthily of the Lord and partake of the Lord more and more.

This is the way for Christ to increase in us – by our receiving spiritual wisdom, understanding, and revelation concerning Christ, and by walking according to the spiritual revelation of Christ that we have received.

In this way we gain the real knowledge of God, which is a subjective and experiential knowledge of God; by this we grow with the increase of Christ.

To walk worthily of the Lord doesn’t mean that we obey some rules and regulations, trying our best to do what the Lord has told us to do, and imitating Christ in an outward way.

To walk worthily of the Lord is a spontaneous issue of our having the full knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; in this way we gain God, we grow with the increase of Christ, and we have the experiential knowledge of God.

Lord Jesus, we want to spend more time with You in Your word with the exercise of our spirit and under Your shining so that we may have the full knowledge of God’s will. Grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Christ as the will of God so that we may have the spiritual wisdom and understanding. Amen, Lord, may there be a spontaneous issue of our knowledge of God’s will, which is to walk worthily of the Lord by living Christ! Amen, Lord, we want to know You in such a real, experiential, and subjective way!

Receiving the Revelation, Walking according to it, and being Strengthened by the Lord with His Power

We should not be presumptuous to think that by our reading the Bible and praying over it we will automatically receive spiritual wisdom and understanding and we will be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will.

Receiving revelation and having a vision is of the Lord, and He does the unveiling, the shining, and the enlightening; He imparts spiritual wisdom and understanding into us.

So we need to pray like Paul in Eph. 1:17, asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, to give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him.

We receive revelation from Him; only He can give us revelation, and He does this when He pleases.

On our side we seek Him, we ask Him for revelation, and we deal with the things that He shines on in our being so that revelation may come. When the Lord is pleased to give us the revelation and vision in our spiritual understanding, we need to not stop here but make the decision to walk according to that vision.

This doesn’t mean that, once we receive the vision from the Lord we now work it out on our own, or that we try to work out what the Lord has revealed to us.

No, we merely make the decision, and then He comes in to strengthen us with His power for us to have a walk worthily of the Lord.

We cannot have a walk worthily of the Lord in ourselves, and having a revelation of the Lord’s will merely gives us the vision and base for us to have such a way.

We need the inner empowering from the Lord, the empowering according to the might of His glory (Col. 1:11); this is not merely to have revelation in our understanding but something more.

The Holy Spirit within us strengthens us, energizes us, and imparts the might of God’s glory into us for us to walk worthily of the Lord.

The way for us to live Christ to have a walk worthily of the Lord is therefore first to have the revelation and vision in our spiritual understanding, then make a decision to walk according to that vision, and look to the Lord to strengthen us with His power.

Our walk is not something deliberate – it is something spontaneous, coming from within, an expression of the life and person within us.

Our walking worthily of the Lord is not something we work out by ourselves or we put on as a show for others to see; it is a spontaneous issue of our seeing the revelation of God’s will, making the decision to walk according to this vision, and allowing the Lord to strengthen us with His power for us to have such a walk.

May the Lord show us mercy and grace that we may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Col. 4:12) by walking worthily of the Lord in our daily life.

Lord Jesus, grant us Your mercy and grace that we may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God by walking worthily of the Lord in our daily life. Grant us the revelation of Your will and strengthen us with power according to the might of Your glory that we may walk according to this vision. Lord, we choose to live Christ according to the revelation You showed us concerning Your plan; may the Holy Spirit within us strengthen us, energize us, and impart the might of God’s glory into us so that we may walk worthily of the Lord!

What is the spiritual milk we should long for? Peter is using the image of “newborn infants” to say that just as babies need their mother’s milk to grow up physically, so believers need spiritual milk to grow up spiritually. In light of his statements in 1:23–25, it seems very likely that the milk Peter has in mind is the Scriptures, but the way he describes it, he may well mean all the resources necessary for healthy spiritual growth.

The Holy Spirit

Before we look at the essentials that God provides, let’s note their source. It is the Holy Spirit, who brings us to new life in Christ in the first place. But that is only the beginning. When Jesus returned to heaven, He handed over to the Holy Spirit His role of teaching, nurturing, strengthening, guiding, and encouraging His followers; the Holy Spirit brings us into union with Christ and is thus called the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9–10). The Spirit now dwells in us and applies in our lives all the benefits that Christ secured for us on the cross: He assures us of forgiveness and salvation, reveals Christ to us in ever-deeper ways, empowers us for holy living, imparts spiritual gifts for ministry and kingdom mission, and guides and directs us to glorify Christ in everything we do — and much more.

Scriptures

What then, are the main sources of spiritual milk that the Spirit gives to mature us in grace and help us know God more intimately? The Holy Scriptures are first. Communication is essential for knowing anyone, including God; and it is primarily through the words of Scripture that God speaks to us. These are God-breathed words that the Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to record over the centuries, words that the Spirit now illuminates our minds to understand and empowers us to obey.

The Scriptures are our only reliable source of knowledge about who God is; what He is like; what His will is; what His plans and purposes are; what He has done in the past; what He will do in the future; who we are; what life is all about; how we can know, love, and serve Him; what are the many promises He gives us; and how we can fulfill His purposes in the world. Accordingly, they are also God’s chief instrument for building our faith in Him. The Scriptures are God’s ultimate and final authority for what we are to believe and how we are to behave; they are our lifeline in this fallen world.

Prayer

If the Scriptures are God’s main way of communicating with us, prayer is our primary way of communicating with Him. It is another essential means for knowing God better. Prayer has been well described as “an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.”²Often, however, “we do not know what to pray for as we ought,” thus we need the Holy Spirit to pray for us and to guide us in our prayers (Rom. 8:26).

The Spirit’s normal way of guiding us in our prayers is by prompting us through the Scriptures to pray for things that are agreeable to the will of God and will be granted (1 John 5:13–14). This seems to happen more often when we are quietly listening for His word on a particular matter. The Psalms are called “the prayer book of the church,” because they give us so many examples of what to pray for across the whole range of life’s experiences. And the many promises of God throughout the Bible give us even more. As we walk with God through the ups and downs of life, lifting up our prayers to Him in faith and receiving His answers, our experience with God and our trust in Him grow. And, as the years pass, we develop a history of personal dealings with God that deepens our knowledge of Him, our faith in Him, and our love for Him.

The Church

As vital as Scripture and prayer are, they are not enough. The church is meant to be a vital incubator for growing in the knowledge and love of God. The church was born at Pentecost through the Spirit-empowered preaching of the Holy Scriptures. The church is neither a building nor an institutional bureaucracy. The church is Christ’s body on earth, the community of the spiritually reborn, where God is worshiped, His word is faithfully preached, and baptism and the Lord’s Supper are properly celebrated. In the church, the Spirit empowers the preaching of the Scriptures, enlivens our worship and communion with the Father and the Son, deepens our bonds of fellowship with other believers, enables us to care for and minister to one another in love, and sends us out into the world on mission. And much more! This community of Christ is our family. In it we meet Christ in one another and experience His transforming power together.

Seeking God

Are you content with your Christian life, or do you long for something more? Do you hunger and thirst for God? Is He the desire of your heart? Do you really want to know Him more intimately and follow Him more faithfully? The pursuit of God is a prerequisite for those who want to go deeper with God. He invites us to seek Him. He shows us the road to travel. And He provides the spiritual nourishment for the journey. But these will do us little good unless we make time in our hurried, distracted lives to use them. Many of us need to take the advice of Dallas Willard: “Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day.

You must relentlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”³ Jesus was never in a hurry, and we are called to walk in His steps and follow His example. This does not mean withdrawing from normal life and adopting a monastic life. Jesus didn’t do that, nor did Moses, David, Peter, or Paul. They led active lives in the world, but their lives were not filled with the clutter, distractions, and chronic busyness that fills our lives today. They were focused, they had priorities, they marched to the beat of a different Drummer; they sought to please an audience of One. No matter where they were or what they were doing, their inner compass was oriented toward God—His presence, His will, and His purposes.

Is that what you long for? If the desire of your heart is to know God more intimately, that is a sign that the grace of God is drawing you. Your part is to respond by setting yourself to seek after and pursue Him (Matt. 6:33). Those who seek will find (Jer. 29:13; Matt. 7:7).

Practical Tips to Help you Know and Follow God

The following suggestions, drawn from Scripture and demonstrated over many centuries of church history, will be helpful as you seek Him in thIs day.

 

 17) Be ye not unwise.--The word here is stronger than in Ephesians 5:15; it is properly senseless, used of "the fool" (in Luke 11:40; Luke 12:20; 1Corinthians 15:36; 2Corinthians 11:16; 2Corinthians 11:19; 2Corinthians 12:6; 2Corinthians 12:11). By it St. Paul emphasises his previous warning; then he adds the explanation that to be "wise" is to "understand what the will of the Lord is"--to know His purpose towards us and towards the world, and so to know the true purpose of our life. Hence we are told in Job 28:28, that "the fear of the Lord is wisdom," or, more precisely, in Proverbs 9:10, that it is "the beginning of wisdom." . . . 

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what is the will of the Lord. The "wherefore" bears on all the preceding argument: because ye are children of light; because light is so valuable and so indispensable; because your whole circumstances demand so much care and earnestness. "Unwise" is equivalent to senseless; "understanding," to both knowing and laying to heart, as in parable of sower: "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not," i.e.does not consider or ponder it, "then cometh the wicked one," etc. The will of the Lord is the great rule of the Christian life; to know and in the deeper sense understand this, is to walk wisely and to walk surely. 

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Therefore
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

be
γίνεσθε (ginesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

foolish,
ἄφρονες (aphrones)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 878: Senseless, foolish, inconsiderate. Properly, mindless, i.e. Stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, or unbelieving.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

understand
συνίετε (syniete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord’s
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

will [is].
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

The universe exists by the will of God: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

The will of God is sovereign. After God removed the Babylonian potentate Nebuchadnezzar from power for seven years and then reinstated him, he acknowledged the preponderant will of God: “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:35).

Yet, amazingly, people can reject the will of God: “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him” (Luke 7:30). John the Baptist was a prophet of God. When these religious leaders rejected John’s message, they rejected the will of God for themselves.

Although ultimately, the will of God prevails, God grants man a limited field of operation in which he has freedom to make personal choices.

An example of this is Paul’s journey to Rome. For some time he had wanted to go to Rome. In his letter he explains: “Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now)” (Romans 1:13). He writes: “Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:9, 10).

This shows great insight and a commendable attitude: “If I may find a way in the will of God.” Paul understands that his plans and actions are subject to the will of God, that he can operate only within the limits God has set. As it turns out, he does indeed travel to Rome - all expenses paid - as a prisoner of the Romans!

Man’s prescribed area of choice might be compared to a fence within which a small child is allowed to play. Without the fence it would be unsafe. Inside the fence he can go where he pleases and do what he wants. Even so, his mother keeps an eye on him in case he comes up with something that exceeds the wishes of his parents!

Jesus says: “It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14). Why then do people perish? Not because it is the will of God, but because man’s inherent freedom enables him to make wrong choices with bad consequences for himself and for others.

Leading up to this, Jesus had said: “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:6, 7).

One person’s wrong choices can tempt someone else to sin and be lost. But ‘offenses must come’. Why? Because this is inherent in man’s power to choose.

Paul deals with the objection: “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” (Romans 9:19). Some try to blame God for their own bad choices! Although the will of God prevails in the end, people are responsible for the choices God allows them to make and for the consequences.

Any parent of teenagers understands this. There comes a time when parents must allow their children to make choices on their own. As they assume greater freedom of choice, they also assume responsibility for their choices and the consequences. Just because the parents allowed a choice to be made, does not make them responsible for the choice or its consequences.

One teenager protested: “Why didn’t God make man so he could only choose what is right?” This is a dishonest cop-out. What teenager wants to have his God-given freedom of choice curtailed in any way? He likes this gift that God has given him!
God created people with the ability to choose to love Him or to reject Him. The love of those who freely choose to love Him more than offsets the grief caused by those who choose to reject His will.
As Paul explains: “You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?’ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory?” (Romans 9:19-23).

People are lost because they choose to reject the will of God. Even so, God still enables them to be saved if they repent and accept the gift of grace He offers through the sacrifice of His Son: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

To allow man freedom of choice, God cannot prevent people from being lost. But He has done everything possible to enable the lost to be saved by sending His Son: “the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11).

Jesus came to do the will of the Father.

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work’” (John 4:34). “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30).

It was the will of the Father that Jesus should offer His body as a sacrifice for sin: “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me - to do Your will, O God’” (Hebrews 10:7).

The sacrifices of the Old Covenant were not sufficient as atonement for sin: “‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God’” (Hebrews 10:8, 9).

By the will of God, Christ came to be a sacrifice for sin. 
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Galatians 1:3-5).

It is the will of God that they who believe in Christ might receive mercy, salvation and eternal life.

Jesus explained: “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:39, 40).

God wants us to be sanctified.

When charging the Thessalonians to abstain from sexual immorality, Paul states: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God wants us to be holy.

To realize this sanctification we must be born again by the will of God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). 

Our inclusion in the family of God is also called an adoption by the will of God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

In Christ, God has “made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth” (Ephesians 1:9, 10). 

As adopted sons we have an inheritance: “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).

We must do God’s will to be in the family of God.
Jesus said: “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50 // Mark 3:35).

Jesus warned: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Have you ever wanted to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? God wants us to do this and tells us how: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).

Until the end we must continue to do the will of God: “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).

“The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

The letter to the Hebrews closes with this beautiful benediction: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20, 21).

To do God’s will, we must know God’s will.

The Scriptures reveal the will of God. David wrote: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). “All Scripture isgiven by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

The will of God must be learned. David prayed: “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10).

Jesus states a prerequisite for knowing the will of God: “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). One must first want to doGod’s will to recognize which doctrine is from God.
One must then conform to the will of God to really experience the will of God: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Having heard of the faith and love of the Christians at Colosse, Paul writes: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

What have we learned from the Scriptures about the will of God?

The universe exists by the sovereign will of God. Although ultimately, the will of God prevails, God grants man a limited field of operation in which he has freedom to make choices. People can reject the will of God and are responsible for the consequences.

People perish, not because it is the will of God, but because man’s inherent freedom enables him to make wrong choices with bad consequences for himself and for others.

Jesus came to do the will of the Father by being a sacrifice for sin.

It is the will of God that they who believe in Christ receive mercy, salvation and eternal life, that they be sanctified through a spiritual rebirth and become sons of God by adoption.

In the family of God we must continue to do the will of God until the end to receive the promise of eternal life.

To do the will of God, we must know the will of God from the Scriptures. We must want to do the will of God to recognize His will and we must actually do His will to experience His will.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

The aim of Romans 12:1–2 is that all of life would become “spiritual worship.” Verse 1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The aim of all human life in God’s eyes is that Christ would be made to look as valuable as he is. Worship means using our minds and hearts and bodies to express the worth of God and all he is for us in Jesus. There is a way to live — a way to love — that does that. There is a way to do your job that expresses the true value of God. If you can’t find it, that may mean you should change jobs. Or it might mean that verse 2 is not happening to the degree it should.

Verse 2 is Paul’s answer to how we turn all of life into worship. We must be transformed. We must be transformed. Not just our external behavior, but the way we feel and think — our minds. Verse 2: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

Become What You Are

Those who believe in Christ Jesus are already blood-bought new creatures in Christ. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). But now we must become what we are. “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

“Worship means using our minds and hearts and bodies to express the worth of God and all he is for us in Jesus.”

“You have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10). You have been made new in Christ; and now you are being renewed day by day. That’s what we focused on last week.

Now we focus on the last part of verse 2, namely, the aim of the renewed mind: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, [now here comes the aim] that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” So our focus today is on the meaning of the term “will of God” and how we discern it.

The Two Wills of God

There are two clear and very different meanings for the term “will of God” in the Bible. We need to know them and decide which one is being used here in Romans 12:2. In fact, knowing the difference between these two meanings of “the will of God” is crucial to understanding one of the biggest and most perplexing things in all the Bible, namely, that God is sovereign over all things and yet disapproves of many things. Which means that God disapproves of some of what he ordains to happen. That is, he forbids some of the things he brings about. And he commands some of the things he hinders. Or to put it most paradoxically: God wills some events in one sense that he does not will in another sense.

1. God’s Will of Decree, or Sovereign Will

Let’s see the passages of Scripture that make us think this way. First consider passages that describe “the will of God” as his sovereign control of all that comes to pass. One of the clearest is the way Jesus spoke of the will of God in Gethsemane when he was praying. He said, in Matthew 26:39, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” What does the will of God refer to in this verse? It refers to the sovereign plan of God that will happen in the coming hours. You recall how Acts 4:27–28 says this: “Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” So the “will of God” was that Jesus die. This was his plan, his decree. There was no changing it, and Jesus bowed and said, “Here’s my request, but you do what is best to do.” That’s the sovereign will of God.

And don’t miss the very crucial point here that it includes the sins of man. Herod, Pilate, the soldiers, the Jewish leaders — they all sinned in fulfilling God’s will that his Son be crucified (Isaiah 53:10). So be very clear on this: God wills to come to pass some things that he hates.

Here’s an example from 1 Peter. In 1 Peter 3:17, Peter writes, “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” In other words, it may be God’s will that Christians suffer for doing good. He has in mind persecution. But persecution of Christians who do not deserve it is sin. So again, God sometimes wills that events come about that include sin. “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will.”

Paul gives a sweeping summary statement of this truth in Ephesians 1:11, “In him [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” The will of God is God’s sovereign governance of all that comes to pass. And there are many other passages in the Bible that teach that God’s providence over the universe extends to the smallest details of nature and human decisions. Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from our Father in heaven (Matthew 10:29). “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33). “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:1). “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

That’s the first meaning of the will of God: It is God’s sovereign control of all things. We will call this his “sovereign will” or his “will of decree.” It cannot be broken. It always comes to pass. “He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35).

2. God’s Will of Command

Now the other meaning for “the will of God” in the Bible is what we can call his “will of command.” His will is what he commands us to do. This is the will of God we can disobey and fail to do. The will of decree we do whether we believe in it or not. The will of command we can fail to do. For example, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Not all do the will of his Father. He says so. “Not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Why? Because not all do the will of God.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” Here we have a very specific instance of what God commands us: holiness, sanctification, sexual purity. This is his will of command. But, oh, so many do not obey.

Then Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” There again is a specific aspect of his will of command: Give thanks in all circumstances. But many do not do this will of God.

“Immerse yourself in the written word of God. Saturate your mind with it.”

One more example: “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Not all abide forever. Some do. Some don’t. The difference? Some do the will of God. Some don’t. The will of God, in this sense, does not always happen.

So I conclude from these and many other passages of the Bible that there are two ways of talking about the will of God. Both are true, and both are important to understand and believe in. One we can call God’s will of decree (or his sovereign will) and the other we can call God’s will of command. His will of decree always comes to pass whether we believe in it or not. His will of command can be broken, and is every day.

The Preciousness of These Truths

Before I relate this to Romans 12:2, let me comment on how precious these two truths are. Both correspond to a deep need that we all have when we are deeply hurt or experience great loss. On the one hand, we need the assurance that God is in control and therefore is able to work all of my pain and loss together for my good and the good of all who love him. On the other hand, we need to know that God empathizes with us and does not delight in sin or pain in and of themselves. These two needs correspond to God’s will of decree and his will of command.

For example, if you were badly abused as a child, and someone asks you, “Do you think that was the will of God?” you now have a way to make some biblical sense out of this, and give an answer that doesn’t contradict the Bible. You may say, “No it was not God’s will; because he commands that humans not be abusive, but love each other. The abuse broke his commandment and therefore moved his heart with anger and grief (Mark 3:5). But, in another sense, yes, it was God’s will (his sovereign will), because there are a hundred ways he could have stopped it. But for reasons I don’t yet fully understand, he didn’t.”

And corresponding to these two wills are the two things you need in this situation: one is a God who is strong and sovereign enough to turn it for good; and the other is a God who is able to empathize with you. On the one hand, Christ is a sovereign High King, and nothing happens apart from his will (Matthew 28:18). On the other hand, Christ is a merciful High Priest and sympathizes with our weaknesses and pain (Hebrews 4:15). The Holy Spirit conquers us and our sins when he wills (John 1:13; Romans 9:15–16), and allows himself to be quenched and grieved and angered when he wills (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). His sovereign will is invincible, and his will of command can be grievously broken.

We need both these truths — both these understandings of the will of God — not only to make sense out of the Bible, but to hold fast to God in suffering.

Which Will?

Now, which of these is meant in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The answer surely is that Paul is referring to God’s will of command. I say this for at least two reasons. One is that God does not intend for us to know most of his sovereign will ahead of time. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us” (Deuteronomy 29:29). If you want to know the future details of God’s will of decree, you don’t want a renewed mind, you want a crystal ball. This is not called transformation and obedience; it’s called divination, soothsaying.

The other reason I say that the will of God in Romans 12:2 is God’s will of command and not his will of decree is that the phrase “by testing you may discern” implies that we should approve of the will of God and then obediently do it. But in fact we should not approve of sin or do it, even though it is part of God’s sovereign will. Paul’s meaning in Romans 12:2 is paraphrased almost exactly in Hebrews 5:14, which says, “Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (See also Philippians 1:9–11.) That’s the goal of this verse: not ferreting out the secret will of God that he plans to do, but discerning the revealed will of God that we ought to do.

Three Stages

There are three stages of knowing and doing the revealed will of God, that is, his will of command; and all of them require the renewed mind with its Holy-Spirit-given discernment that we talked about last time.

Stage One

First, God’s will of command is revealed with final, decisive authority only in the Bible. And we need the renewed mind to understand and embrace what God commands in the Scripture. Without the renewed mind, we will distort the Scriptures to avoid their radical commands for self-denial, and love, and purity, and supreme satisfaction in Christ alone. God’s authoritative will of command is found only in the Bible. Paul says that the Scriptures are inspired and make the Christian “competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Not just some good works. “Every good work.” Oh, what energy and time and devotion Christians should spend meditating on the written word of God.

Stage Two

The second stage of God’s will of command is our application of the biblical truth to new situations that may or may not be explicitly addressed in the Bible. The Bible does not tell you which person to marry, or which car to drive, or whether to own a home, where you take your vacation, what cell phone plan to buy, or which brand of orange juice to drink. Or a thousand other choices you must make.

“If you want to know the future details of God’s will of decree, you don’t want a renewed mind, you want a crystal ball.”

What is necessary is that we have a renewed mind, that is so shaped and so governed by the revealed will of God in the Bible, that we see and assess all relevant factors with the mind of Christ, and discern what God is calling us to do. This is very different from constantly trying to hear God’s voice saying do this and do that. People who try to lead their lives by hearing voices are not in sync with Romans 12:2.

There is a world of difference between praying and laboring for a renewed mind that discerns how to apply God’s word, on the one hand, and the habit of asking God to give you new revelation of what to do, on the other hand. Divination does not require transformation. God’s aim is a new mind, a new way of thinking and judging, not just new information. His aim is that we be transformed, sanctified, freed by the truth of his revealed word (John 8:32; 17:17). So the second stage of God’s will of command is the discerning application of the Scriptures to new situations in life by means of a renewed mind.

Stage Three

Finally, the third stage of God’s will of command is the vast majority of living where there is no conscious reflection before we act. I venture to say that a good 95 percent of your behavior you do not premeditate. That is, most of your thoughts, attitudes, and actions are spontaneous. They are just spillover from what’s inside. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:34–36).

Why do I call this part of God’s will of command? For one reason. Because God commands things like: Don’t be angry. Don’t be prideful. Don’t covet. Don’t be anxious. Don’t be jealous. Don’t envy. And none of those actions are premeditated. Anger, pride, covetousness, anxiety, jealousy, envy — they all just rise up out of the heart with no conscious reflection or intention. And we are guilty because of them. They break the commandment of God.

Is it not plain therefore that there is one great task of the Christian life: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We need new hearts and new minds. Make the tree good and the fruit will be good (Matthew 12:33). That’s the great challenge. That is what God calls you to. You can’t do it on your own. You need Christ, who died for your sins. And you need the Holy Spirit to lead you into Christ-exalting truth and to work in you truth-embracing humility.

Give yourself to this. Immerse yourself in the written word of God; saturate your mind with it. And pray that the Spirit of Christ would make you so new that the spillover would be good, acceptable, and perfect — the will of God.

God desires the salvation of everyone – look up 2 Peter 3: 9, and notice also Isaiah 45: 22; 53: 6; Ezekiel 33: 11; John 1: 29; 3: 16; Revelation 22: 17. In His great mercy He has provided salvation for everyone. This is not to say that everybody will accept God’s provision. The Word of God never leads us to believe that all will be saved, but it does teach that all may be saved – look up Romans 10: 13.

2. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THOSE WHOM HE SAVES SHOULD BE SANCTIFIED

Look up 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-4 and 1 Peter 4: 1-5. God’s will for His children is that they should be holy – look up Ephesians 1: 4; 2 Timothy 1: 9; 1 Peter 1: 15-16; 2 Peter 3: 11. If you are His child (John 1: 12-13), then God’s will for you is that you should be holy; that is, whole (John 5:6); clean (1 John 1: 7 and 9), and constantly being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5: 18).

3. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THOSE WHOM HE SAVES AND SANCTIFIES SHOULD SERVE HIM

We are saved to serve. But what is Christian service? The answer to this question is found in Romans 12: 1. The fundamental meaning of service for God is that we present ourselves wholly to God and place ourselves absolutely at His disposal for Him to do His work in and through us; this is His will for every one of His children. The sphere and the nature of our service may be varied, but the meaning of it is always the same – Romans 12: 1. In the light of this, are you His servant?

4. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THOSE WHOM HE SAVES AND SANCTIFIES AND WHO SERVE HIM SHOULD ALSO SUFFER FOR (AND WITH) HIM

Let this truth sink in, for many of God’s children are not instructed in it! – look up 1 Peter 3: 17. We can suffer because it is the will of God for us to suffer – look up 1 Peter 4: 19 and Philippians 1: 29, and see what Acts 9: 16 says, and notice also the three characteristics of His will – Romans 12: 2.

5. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THOSE WHOM HE SAVES AND SANCTIFIES, AND WHO SERVE HIM AND SUFFER FOR HIM, SHOULD ALWAYS UNDERSTAND AND KNOW HIS WILL FOR THEM

The question of knowing God’s will is with some of us a very real problem; but should this be so in the light of the following promises – Psalm 25: 9; 32: 8; 73: 24; Proverbs 3: 5-6; 16: 3; Isaiah 58: 11; John 16: 13 and James 1: 5-6?

How may we know God’s will? How does He reveal His will to us?

• By His WORD, in response to our study – 2 Timothy 2: 15. The more we study the Word of God the more we become acquainted with the things which are pleasing to Him and which He desires in the lives of His children (Acts 9: 6; John 2: 5).
• By His PROVIDENCES, in response to our surrender – Romans 12: 1-2. When we are seeking God’s guidance on a certain matter we must take into account all the circumstances, and trust Him so to arrange these that we may understand His will (Psalm 37: 5).
• By His HOLY SPIRIT, in response to our earnest prayer – Romans 8:26-7. We can be sure of God’s will when the clear teaching of the Word, the providences and the voice of the Holy Spirit all harmonise (1 John 5: 14/5).

Let us pray for each other the prayer which Paul and Epaphras prayed for the Colossians (Colossians 1: 9; 4: 12) – remembering 1 John 2: 17; Philippians 2: 13 and Acts 22: 14.

After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.

a. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee: John now records some of the acts and words of Jesus in the Galilee region, north of Judea. John mainly recorded things that Jesus did and said in Judea and Jerusalem, but sometimes included material that the other gospel writers also wrote of, mainly in the Galilee region.

b. Then a great multitude followed Him: This miracle is also recorded in the other three Gospel accounts. Luke mentioned that on this occasion Jesus went out to a deserted place to be alone (Luke 9:10), yet the crowds followed Him there. In spite of this imposition, Jesus still served the multitude with great compassion.

c. They saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased: Luke 9:11 tells us that Jesus also taught this multitude, something that John doesn’t specifically mention.

i. Morris gives the sense of the Greek verbs of John 6:2: “The multitude ‘kept following’ Jesus because they ‘continually saw’ the signs that He ‘habitually did’ on the sick.” (Morris)

d. The Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near: John is the only one of the four Gospel writers who told us this took place near the time of the Passover. Perhaps this great multitude was made up of Galilean pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

i. Passover is associated with the Exodus and God’s sustenance of Israel in the wilderness. Jesus would soon sustain this multitude in their small “wilderness” with bread from heaven – both literally and spiritually.

ii. Went up on the mountain: “The ‘high ground’ is the sharply rising terrain east of the lake, well known today as the Golan heights. From there one overlooks the level plain east of the river and the lake.” (Bruce)

2. (5-7) Jesus asks Philip a question.

Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”

a. Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Perhaps Jesus asked Philip this question because he was from Bethsaida (John 1:44) and this was near where this miracle took place (Luke 9:10).

i. “John does not say, as Mark does (Mark 6:34 f.), that the crowd had been listening to Jesus’ teaching all day, but this explains his concern about feeding them.” (Bruce)

b. He said this to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do: Jesus knew what miracle He was about to perform, but wanted to use the opportunity to teach His disciples. For Jesus this wasn’t only about getting a job done (feeding the multitude), but also about teaching His disciples along the way.

i. Philip had already seen Jesus do many miracles; there should have been no question to him about the divine resources Jesus had.

c. Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient: Their problem was in at least two parts. First, they didn’t have the resources to buy bread and to feed the multitude. Second, even if they had the money it would be impossible to purchase enough bread to feed them all.

i. With greater faith and knowledge, Philip might have said: “Master, I don’t know where the food is to feed this crowd but You are greater than Moses whom God used to feed a multitude everyday in the wilderness, and God can certainly do a lesser work through a Greater Servant. You are greater than Elisha, whom God used to feed many sons of the prophets through little food. What is more, the Scriptures say that man shall not live by bread alone, and You are great enough to fill this multitude from the words of your mouth.”

d. Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them: Philip’s knowledge of the situation was accurate and impressive (two hundred denarii is more than six month’s wages), but his knowledge was useless in getting the problem solved.

i. Philip thought in terms of money; and how much money it would take to carry out God’s work in a small way (every one of them may have a little). We often limit God the same way, looking for how God’s work can be done in the smallest way. Jesus wanted to use a completely different approach and provide in a big way.

ii. “He was a man of figures; he believed in what could be put into tables and statistics. Yes; and like a great man and other people of his sort, he left out one small element in his calculation, and that was Jesus Christ, and so his answer went creeping along the low levels.” (Maclaren)

iii. “Philip was apparently a matter-of-fact person (John 14:8), a quick reckoner and good man of business, and therefore more ready to rely on his own shrewd calculations than on unseen resources.” (Dods)

3. (8-9) Andrew’s help.

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

a. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother said to Him, “There is a lad here”: Andrew once again introduced someone to Jesus. First it was his brother Peter (John 1:40-42). Now it was a ladwith some barley loaves and two small fish.

i. “The word for ‘lad’ is a double diminutive, probably meaning ‘little boy’.” (Morris)

b. Five barley loaves: Barley was always regarded as simple food, more often fit for animals than for people. This means it is likely that the young boy came from a poor family.

i. In the Talmud, there is a passage where one man said, “There is a fine crop of barley” and another man answered, “Tell it to the horses and donkeys.”

ii. “Barley scarcely bore one-third of the value of wheat in the east: see Revelation 6:6. That it was a very mean fare appears from Ezekiel 13:19,where the false prophetesses are said to pollute the name of God for handfuls of barley, i.e. for the meanest reward.” (Clarke)

iii. Two small fish: “While the other Evangelists use the ordinary word for fish (ichthys), John calls them osparia, indicating that they were two small (perhaps salted) fish to be eaten as a relish along with the cakes of barley.” (Bruce)

c. What are they among so many? There wasn’t much to work with, but God doesn’t need much. In fact, God doesn’t needany help – but He often deliberately restrains His work until He has our participation.

i. “Small things are not always contemptible. It all depends on the hands in which they are.” (Taylor)

B. The five thousand are fed.

1. (10) Jesus commands the group to sit down.

Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

a. Make the people sit down: Jesus was in no panic or hurry. He had a huge catering job to fulfill, but went about His work in an orderly way, making them sit down upon the grass.

i. One might say that Jesus here fulfilled the role of the loving Shepherd in Psalm 23:1-2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.That Psalm also gave the picture of the Lord as a host, serving a meal to His servant as a guest: you prepare a table for me…you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over…I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever(Psalm 23:5-6).

b. The men sat down, in number about five thousand: Jesus administered everything in an orderly way. Yet, they had to come under Jesus’ order to receive Jesus’ miraculous provision. The ones who came under Jesus’ order would soon be filled to the full.

i. “Our blessed Master has glorious leisure, because he is always punctual. Late people are in a hurry; but he, being never late, never hurries.” (Spurgeon)

2. (11) The five thousand are fed.

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

a. When He had given thanks: Jesus only had a few loaves of bread and a few fish, but He was determined to give His Father thanks for what He did have.

i. “For five little cakes and two sprats Christ gave thanks to the Father; apparently a meagre cause for praise, but Jesus knew what he could make of them, and therefore gave thanks for what they would presently accomplish. ‘God loves us,’ says Augustine, ‘for what we are becoming.’ Christ gave thanks for these trifles because he saw whereunto they would grow.” (Spurgeon)

b. Jesus took the loaves… He distributed them to the disciples: The miracle resided in the hands of Jesus, not in the distribution. Little is much in His hands.

i. “A moment ago, they belonged to this lad, but now they belong to Christ. ‘Jesus took the loaves.’ He has taken possession of them; they are his property.” (Spurgeon)

ii. “The multiplication of the food was obviously not done with great fanfare.” (Tenney) This is so true that we aren’t told specifically where the multiplication happened. It seems to have happened as Jesus broke the bread and fish and distributed them to the disciples. “It was not the integral loaves or integral fishes that were multiplied, but the broken portions of them.” (Trench)

· Most everyone ate and was filled, but had no idea that a miracle was happening.

· The disciples did not do the miracle; they simply distributed the miraculous work of Jesus.

iii. Bread comes from grain, which has the power of multiplication and reproduction within itself. But when it is made into bread, the grain is crushed, making it “dead” – no one ever multiplied wheat by planting flour. Yet Jesus can bring life from death; He multiplied loaves of bread made from dead, crushed grain and from dead fish.

iv. “These five loaves (by a strange kind of arithmetic) were multiplied by division, and augmented by subtraction.” (Trapp)

c. He distributed them to the disciples: Jesus relied on the labor of the disciples in this great miracle. He could have created bread and fish in the pocket or bag of every person, but He didn’t. Jesus deliberately chose a method that brought the disciples into the work.

i. Jesus refused to miraculously make bread to feed Himself in the wilderness temptations; but He did for others and withothers what He would not do for Himself.

d. As much as they wanted: God’s supply was extravagant, as much as any of them wanted. All ate until they were completely satisfied.

i. “For the significance of this story we must bear in mind that the figure of eating and drinking is widely used in the Old Testament. It is a figure of prosperity… and it is often used of the blessings the people of God would enjoy in the Promised Land.” (Morris)

ii. As much as they wantedalso included the little boy who gave the five loves and two fish. The boy himself ended up with more than he started with. It certainly was an adequate lunch for himself; but he gave it to Jesus and He it turned into an all-you-can-eat buffet for the boy as well.

3. (12-13) Gathering up the fragments of the feast.

So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

a. When they were filled: Jesus was generous, giving everyone as much as they wanted. This was a remarkable miracle, and some think that the disciples should have (or could have) anticipated that Jesus would do such a thing.

i. Old Testament passages warn against doubting God’s provision: Yes, they spoke against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19) 2 Kings 4:38-34 is an example of God multiplying barley loaves, though this miracle of Jesus was on a much greater scale.

ii. Though the disciples did not understand or anticipate the miracle, Jesus invited them to participate in it. They distributed the miraculously multiplied bread and fish. Without their work, no one would have been fed.

iii. Jesus demonstrated to them the giving character of God – the same character God desires to build within us. Proverbs 11:24 says, There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. This bread was multiplied as it was “scattered.”

b. Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost: Jesus was generous, but never wasteful. Jesus wanted to make good use of everything.

i. “The fragments are not the half-eaten morsels and crumbs which might well be left for birds and beasts, but the broken portions which He had handed for distribution.” (Trench)

ii. “The term used for ‘basket’ (kophinos) usually denotes a large basket, such as might be used for fish or bulky objects.” (Tenney)

C. The reaction to the miracle.

1. (14) Jesus as the Prophet predicted by Moses.

Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

a. When they had seen the sign that Jesus did: The way Jesus provided bread for a multitude in the open air (something of a wilderness) reminded those menof how God worked through Moses to feed Israel with manna in the wilderness.

b. Truly this is the Prophet: Moses predicted the coming of the Prophet they expected: The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.(Deuteronomy 18:15) If the coming Prophet was to be like Moses, it made sense that he would also feed the people miraculously as Moses did.

i. This crowd was willing to support Jesus so long as He gave them what they wanted – bread. It’s easy to criticize how the crowd loved Jesus for the bread He gave them, but we often only love Jesus for what He give us. We must also love and obey Him simply for who He is – Lord and God.

ii. “A rabbi of a later date is credited with the observation that ‘as the first redeemer caused manna to descend… so will the last redeemer cause manna to descend’, and the general idea seems to have been current in the first century.” (Bruce)

2. (15) The people attempt to make Jesus their earthly king.

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

a. They were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king: King was a politicaltitle. The crowd was willing to support Jesus because they wanted to use Him to throw off Roman oppression either directly in Judea or indirectly through Herod Antipas in Galilee.

i. “Suddenly there was this unusual man Jesus. He had miraculous power. So they must have said something like this to themselves, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get Him on our side and get Him to help us drive out the Romans?’” (Boice)

ii. “If the Galileans did not live directly under Roman control, as their brethren in Judea did, their ruler Herod Antipas was a creature of Rome, and they experienced no feelings of patriotic pride as they contemplated the Herodian dynasty.” (Bruce)

b. He departed again to a mountain by Himself alone: Jesus wasn’t impressed or seduced by a crowd that wanted to make Him king. He turned His back on the crowd and went to pray because Jesus was more interested in being with His Father in heaven than in hearing the applause of the crowd.

i. “But to Jesus the prospect of an earthly kingdom was nothing else than a temptation of the devil, and He decisively rejected it.” (Morris)

ii. “He saw the crowds were in great excitement and were meaning to come and violently carry Him off and declare Him their king and Messiah in opposition to the civil power; perhaps already He saw His disciples beginning to be caught in that wild enthusiasm.” (Trench)

iii. “He who is already King has come to open His kingdom to men; but in their blindness men try to force Him to be the kind of king they want; thus they fail to get the king they want, and also lose the Kingdom He offers.” (Morris)

D. Jesus walks on the water.

1. (16-17) The disciples go out on the Sea of Galilee.

Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.

a. His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat: Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus made His disciples get into the boat (Mark 6:45). They set off across the Sea of Galilee because Jesus told them to do it.

i. “According to Mark 6:45, Jesus ‘compelled’ (anankazo) his disciples to embark and go back across the lake; perhaps he saw that they were being infected with the crowd’s excitement.” (Bruce)

b. It was already dark: Several of the disciples were fishermen, all accustomed to fishing on this very lake. When they got into the boat, the thought of rowing across the lake at night did not concern them.

c. Jesus had not come to them: This actually was the second time Jesus dealt with His disciples on a stormy Sea of Galilee. In the first storm (Matthew 8:24), Jesus was present with them in the boat and He rebuked and calmed the storm. In this storm Jesus asked His disciples to trust His unseencare and concern for them.

2. (18) The wind disrupts their efforts to cross the Sea.

Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.

a. Then the sea arose: The wind alone was bad enough, but the wind also whipped up the waters, making for troublesome seas.

b. A great wind was blowing: The Sea of Galilee was and is well known for its sudden, violent wind storms that quickly make the lake dangerous.

i. “The Sea of Galilee is six hundred feet below sea level, in a cuplike depression among the hills. When the sun sets, the air cools; and as the cooler air from the west rushes down over the hillside, the resultant wind churns the lake. Since the disciples were rowing toward Capernaum, they were heading into the wind; consequently, they made little progress.” (Tenney)

3. (19) Jesus comes to His disciples, walking on the water.

So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.

a. When they had rowed about three or four miles: In the first storm upon the Sea of Galilee the disciples were terrified (Matthew 8:25-26). In the beginning of the second storm they were more frustrated than afraid. Jesus told them to row across the lake and despite their hard work, they seemed to make little progress.

i. Matthew 14:25 says this happened in the fourth watch of the night, sometime between three and six in the morning. So, they rowed hard for perhaps six to eight hours, and had only come a little more than half way across the lake (three or four miles).

ii. They were in this place of frustration at the will of Jesus, doing exactly what He told them to do. Additionally, Mark 6:48 says that Jesus watched the disciples as they rowed across the lake. His eye was on them all the time. They were in the will of Jesus and watched by Jesus, yet working hard in frustration all the time.

iii. “Up on the hillside Jesus had prayed and communed with God; as he set out the silver moon had made the scene almost like the daylight; and down on the lake he could see the boat with the rowers toiling at the oars…He had not forgotten. He was not too busy with God to think of them.” (Barclay)

iv. “He is on the mountain while we are on the sea. The stable eternity of the Heavens holds Him; we are tossed on the restless mutability of time, over which we toil at His command.” (Maclaren)

b. They saw Jesus walking on the sea… and they were afraid: Mark 6:49-50 says the disciples were afraid because they thought Jesus, walking on the water, was a ghost or a spirit.

i. Mark “adds the remarkable detail that Jesus ‘meant to pass-by them’ i.e. overtaking, as though He had wished that the mere vision of Himself should prove sufficient support and assurance to them.” (Trench)

ii. The disciples were not ready for any kind of supernatural help. They knew what Jesus commanded them to do and they set out to do it – but without any direct help from Jesus. So they were surprised and afraid to see supernatural help coming to them.

iii. Jesus also gave them reasons and reminders to trust His supernatural help. Undoubtedly, they took with them at least some of the twelve baskets of leftover bread (John 6:13), yet they were still shocked when the supernatural help came to them on the sea.

4. (20) The calming words of Jesus.

But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

a. It is I: For Jesus, it was enough to announce His presence. He was with His disciples and would meet them in their frustration and fear.

i. “There are places in this Gospel where the words ego eimi have the nature of a divine designation (as we shall see on 8:24, 28), but here they simply mean ‘It is I’.” (Bruce)

b. Do not be afraid: Jesus came to bring supernatural help and comfort to His disciples. His presence gave them what they needed, even though He came in an unexpected way.

i. We know from Matthew 14:28-32 that after this Peter asked Jesus if he could come out and walk on the water and Peter did walk on the water – for short time.

5. (21) Jesus brings them to their destination.

Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

a. Then they willingly received Him into the boat: The implication was that Jesus would not come unless He was willingly received. Even walking on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus waited to be welcomed by His disciples.

b. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going: When they had willingly received Him into the boat, the miraculous happened. This was a remarkable miracle. The work that was so frustrating a few moments before suddenly was divinely accomplished.

i. “From this detail given by John it is inferred that the ship seemed to move automatically, without sail or oar, in obedience to His will: so that without effort of the disciples or crew it quickly passed over the remaining distance (two miles or so) and came to shore.” (Trench)

ii. One could say that Jesus rescued His disciples from frustration and futility. Jesus wants us to work hard; but He never wants us to work in futility. Their work had not been a waste, but it waited for the touch of divine power and presence.

c. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going: Such a remarkable miracle was helpful for the disciples, especially because Jesus had just refused an offer to be recognized as a King Messiah. This assured them that He was full of divine power even though He did not claim a throne according to popular expectation and opinion.

i. “How far they were from the place at which they landed, when our Lord came to them, we know not. But the evangelist seems to speak of their sudden arrival there as extraordinary and miraculous.” (Clarke)

ii. “A dying saint hath no sooner taken death into his bosom, but he is immediately landed at the quay of Canaan, at the kingdom of heaven.” (Trapp)

E. Jesus, the bread of life.

1. (22-24) The crowd follows Jesus and His disciples to Capernaum.

On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 

a. On the following day: The day after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and the night crossing of the Sea of Galilee, many of the crowd that was fed by Jesus and the disciples wondered where they went. They saw the disciples (without Jesus) leave in a boat, and now they noted that Jesus was not there with them.

i. Other boats came from Tiberias: “The fact parenthetically introduced, verse 23, that boats from Tiberias had put in on the east shore, is an incidental confirmation of the truth that a gale had been blowing the night before.” (Dods)

b. They also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus: These people were from the same crowd that Jesus fed and the same crowd that wanted to force Jesus to be recognized as an earthly king (John 6:14-15).

i. “The crowd, then, made sure that Jesus was nowhere in the vicinity, and that there was no sign of the disciples returning to fetch him, so they crossed to the west side to look for him.” (Bruce)

ii. “That is, as many of them as could get accommodated with boats took them and thus got to Capernaum; but many others doubtless went thither on foot, as it is not at all likely that five or six thousand persons could get boats enow to carry them.” (Clarke)

2. (25-27) Jesus responds to their first question: Rabbi, when did You come here?

And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

a. When did You come here?Jesus did not answer this question. The answer would have been, “I walked over the Sea of Galilee in the night time to help My disciples, then I miraculously transported our boat across the remaining distance of the Sea. That’s when and how I came here.”

i. Later in this chapter, John tells us that this took place at the synagogue in Capernaum at a Sabbath service (John 6:59). Also, according to Matthew 15, Jewish leaders from Jerusalem came to Capernaum to question Jesus. They were also part of this crowd.

b. You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled: Instead of telling them when and why He came, Jesus told them why they came – because they wanted more food miraculously provided by Jesus.

i. Often we can learn more from understanding the reason we ask God a question than from the answer to the question itself. This was the case with those who followed Jesus around the Galilee and asked the question.

ii. They wanted the bread, but more than just the bread; they also wanted the display of the miraculous and a miracle king to lead them against their Roman oppressors.

iii. “They were quite unaffected by the wisdom of His words and the beauty of His deeds, but a miracle that found food precisely met their wants, and so there was an excited but impure enthusiasm, very unwelcome to Jesus.” (Maclaren)

c. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures for everlasting life: Those asking this question of Jesus went to a lot of trouble to follow and find Him. Yet their work was for the food which perishes – things that fill a stomach and rule and earthly kingdoms. Jesus wanted to them labor for the food which endures for everlasting life.

i. Jesus made a contrast between material things and spiritual things. It is almost universally true that people are more attracted to material things than spiritual things. A sign that says free money and free food will get a bigger crowd than one that says spiritual fulfillment and eternal life.

ii. “He struck at the root of the materialistic aspirations of these carnally-minded Galilaeans.” (Tasker)

d. Which the Son of Man will give you: They were rightly impressed at the miracle of bread worked through Jesus; but He wanted them to be moreimpressed for the spiritual food He brings by a miracle.

i. Son of Man: “He avoids using the term ‘Messiah’ or any other which would have appealed to his hearers’ militant aspirations. The designation ‘the Son of Man’ suited his purpose well enough; it was not current coin in their religious or political vocabulary and could therefore bear whatever meaning he chose to put on it.” (Bruce)

e. Because God the Father has set His seal on Him: A seal was a mark of ownership and a guarantee of the contents. They should have confidence in Jesus because God the Father has “guaranteed” Him.

i. “If the aorist tense of the verb ‘sealed’ (Gk. esphragisen) suggests that we identify the sealing with one particular event, we should probably think of our Lord’s baptism (cf. John 1:32-34).” (Bruce)

ii. “Sealed, by undoubted testimony, as at His baptism; and since, by His miracles.” (Alford)

iii. “As a person who wishes to communicate his mind to another who is at a distance writes a letter, seals it with his own seal, and sends it directed to the person for whom it was written, so Christ, who lay in the bosom of the Father, came to interpret the Divine will to man, bearing the image, superscription, and seal of God, in the immaculate holiness of his nature, unsullied truth of his doctrine, and in the astonishing evidence of his miracles.” (Clarke)

3. (28-29) Jesus answers their second question: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

a. What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?Jesus told them, Do not labor for the food which perishes(John 6:27). In reply, they used the same word Jesus used and asked, “How shall we labor for this?”

i. The sense behind their question seemed to be, “Just tell us what to do so we can get what we want from You. We want Your miracle bread and for You to be our Miracle King; tell us what to do to get it.”

ii. Those who questioned Jesus seemed sure that if only Jesus told them what to do, they could please God by their works of God. For these people, as with many people today, pleasing God is found in the right formula for performing works that will please God.

b. This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent: Jesus first and foremost commanded them (and us) not to do, but to trust. If we want to do the work of God, it begins with trusting Jesus.

i. A parent does not only want obedience from their child; a relationship of trust and love is even more important to the parent. The hope is that obedience grows out of that relationship of trust and love. God wants the same pattern in our relationship with Him.

ii. The first work is to believe in Him whom He sent, yet God is also concerned about our obedience. In this sense our faith in Him is not a substitute for works; our faith is the foundation for works that truly please God.

iii. Maclaren on the contrast between works and work: “They thought of a great variety of observances and deeds. He gathers them all up into one.”

iv. “The priest says, ‘Rites and ceremonies.’ The thinker says, ‘Culture, education.’ The moralist says, ‘Do this, that, and the other thing,’ and enumerates a whole series of separate acts. Jesus Christ says, ‘One thing is needful…This is the work of God.’” (Maclaren)

v. “This is a most important saying of our Lord, as containing the germ of that teaching afterwards so fully expanded in the writings of St. Paul.” (Alford)

4. (30-33) Jesus answers their third question: What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?

Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

a. What sign will You perform then: The crowd that heard Jesus at the synagogue in Capernaum followed Him from the feeding of the 5,000. Yet there were also among them Jewish leaders from Jerusalem (Matthew 15:1, John 6:41). These heard the excited talk of the miraculous feeding, but wanted to see it again. As well, those who ate wanted to eat again!

i. “They have again come under the influence of the Scribes from Jerusalem who have come up (Matthew 15:1: Mark 7:1) to Capernaum to counteract Him and drive Him away.” (Trench)

b. Our fathers ate the manna in the desert: Jesus’ questioners hoped to manipulate Him into providing daily bread for them, just as Israel had from God during the Exodus. They even knew how to quote Scripture in the attempt (“He gave them bread from heaven to eat”, Psalm 105:40).

c. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven: We might paraphrase the reply of Jesus like this: “What other work will I do? This is the work: to give you the Word of God and eternal life in and through Me. This is the spiritual bread you must feast on to have life.”

i. “Our Lord does not here deny, but asserts the miraculous character of the manna.” (Alford)

d. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven: Jesus tried to lift their minds above earthly things and on to heavenly realities; to an understanding that He is necessary for spiritual life just as bread is necessary for physical survival.

i. “The bread of God was he who came down from heaven and gave men not simply satisfaction from physical hunger, but life. Jesus was claiming that the only real satisfaction was in him.” (Barclay)

5. (34-40) Jesus answers their fourth request: Lord, give us this bread always.

Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

a. Give us this bread always: We wonder if those who travelled across the Sea of Galilee to find and meet Jesus were hungry when they had this conversation with Jesus. They wanted the material bread Jesus miraculously provided, and they wanted it always.

i. When we are hungry, we feel as though food will answer all our problems. It’s the same way with almost all other practical difficulties we find ourselves in. Just as Jesus tried to lift their understanding above their material, physical needs, so we need to have our minds lifted.

ii. “What they wanted, he would not give; what he offered, they would not receive.” (Bruce)

iii. Lord, give us this bread always: “Kurie should probably be translated Sir in this verse rather than Lord, as it is clear from verse 36 that these Galilaeans did not believe in Jesus.” (Tasker)

b. I am the bread of life: In Jesus’ answer, He hoped to lift up their eyes from material bread and earthly kingdoms, and on to spiritual realities. They needed to put their confidence in Jesus instead of in material bread.

i. “This is the first of the distinctive ‘I am’ sayings of this Gospel (where Jesus uses ego eimi with a predicate).” (Bruce)

c. He who comes to Me shall never hunger: Jesus explained that the one who comes to Him – that is, receives Him, believes upon Him – will find his spiritual hunger satisfied in Jesus.

i. “The coming here meant is performed by desire, prayer, assent, consent, trust, obedience.” (Spurgeon)

ii. “This verse should not be regarded as an abstract statement. It constitutes an appeal. Since Jesus is the bread of life men are invited to come to Him, and to believe on Him.” (Morris)

iii. “Faith in Christ is simply and truly described as coming to him. It is not an acrobatic feat; it is simply a coming to Christ. It is not an exercise of profound mental faculties; it is coming to Christ. A child comes to his mother, a blind man comes to his home, even an animal comes to his master. Coming is a very simple action indeed; it seems to have only two things about it, one is, to come away from something, and the other is, to come to something.” (Spurgeon)

d. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out: Jesus made it clear that coming to Jesus beginswith the work of the Father, and He will receive all who come to Him.

i. All that the Father gives Me: “‘All’ is neuter, which makes it very general, ‘everything’, although persons are certainly meant.” (Morris)

ii. I will by no means cast out: “Our blessed Lord alludes to the case of a person in deep distress and poverty, who comes to a nobleman’s house, in order to get relief: the person appears; and the owner, far from treating the poor man with asperity, welcomes, receives him kindly, and supplies his wants. So does Jesus.” (Clarke)

iii. “I will not not, cast out out. A powerful speech, and a most comfortable consideration. Who would not come to Jesus Christ upon such sweetest encouragement?” (Trapp)

e. Not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me: As Jesus invited them to come to Him, He also reminded them that He was safe to come unto. He wasn’t interested in His own agenda, but in His Father’s will.

f. All He has given Me I should lose nothing: This was another compelling reason to come unto the Son – all who are given of the Father and come to Him, He keeps safe.

g. Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life: This is the wonderful destiny of all who are given of the Father and come to Jesus.

i. In all this, Jesus had in mind both the broad community of believers (All that the Father gives Me will come to Me…should raise it up) and the individual believer (the one who comes to Me…will raise him up).

ii. Everyone who sees the Son: “In this ‘gazes upon’ the Son there is certainly a reference to the bronze serpent that was lifted up by Moses in the wilderness upon a pole (shaped like a cross, as Rabbinical tradition says), and everyone who looked on it was healed.” (Trench)

6. (41-46) Jesus explains why they reject Him.

The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.”

a. Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? The people complained about Jesus, thinking what He said about Himself was too big, too exalted (How is it then that He says, “I have come down from heaven?”)

i. “Six times in this immediate context Jesus says that he ‘came down from heaven’ (6:33, 38, 41, 50, 51, 58). His claim to heavenly origin is unmistakable.” (Tenney)

ii. “This was one of the real difficulties of the contemporaries of Jesus. The Messiah was to come ‘in the clouds,’ suddenly to appear; but Jesus had quietly grown up among them.” (Dods)

iii. The Jews then complained: “‘The Jews,’ not as we might expect, ‘the Galileans,’ probably because John identifies this unbelieving crowd with the characteristically unbelieving Jews.” (Dods)

b. Do not murmur among yourselves: As Jesus spoke to the crowd at the synagogue, they murmured and commented among themselves.

i. “‘Murmured’ indicates discontent. It is the confused sound that runs through a crowd when they are angry and in opposition.” (Morris)

c. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him: The Jews thought that they were all chosen by God by virtue of their physical, natural birth. Jesus made it clear that God must draw them before they can come to God. Everyone who responds to the Father will respond to the Son.

i. “Unless God thus draw, no man will ever come to Christ; because none could, without this drawing, ever feel the need of a Saviour.” (Clarke)

ii. We often like to feel as though we “lead” in our relationship with God. In truth, He calls and we come. This understanding of God’s initiative in salvation should make us more confident in evangelism, knowing that God is drawing people, and we can expect to see those whom the Father draws come to Him.

iii. “The word which John uses for to draw is helkuein. The word used in the Greek translation of the Hebrew when Jeremiah hears God say as the Authorized Version has it: ‘With loving-kindness have I drawn thee’ (Jeremiah 31:3).” (Barclay)

iv. “That this ‘drawing’ is not irresistible grace, is confessed even by Augustine himself, the great upholder of the doctrines of grace. ‘If a man is drawn, says an objector, he comes against his will. (We answer) if he comes unwillingly, he does not believe: if he does not believe, he does not come. For we do not run to Christ on our feet, but by faith; not with the movement of the body, but with the free will of the heart…Think not that thou are drawn against thy will; the mind can be drawn by love.’” (Alford)

v. “Drawing, or alluring, not dragging is here to be understood. ‘He,’ say the rabbins, ‘who desires to cleave to the holy and blessed God, God lays hold of him, and will not cast him off.’ Synops. Sohar. p. 87. The best Greek writers use the verb in the same sense of alluring, inciting, &c.” (Clarke)

vi. “Chrysostom says, ‘This expression does not remove our part in the coming, but rather shews that we want help to come.’” (Alford)

vii. Draws “has the same latitude of meaning as ‘draw.’ It is used of towing a ship, dragging a cart, or pulling on a rope to set sails. But it is also used, John 12:32, of a gentle but powerful moral attraction.” (Dods)

d. And I will raise him up at the last day: All those who do come to Jesus drawn by the Father will receive eternal life and will be resurrected at the last day.

e. And they shall all be taught by God: Jesus quoted from Isaiah 54:13, which may have been part of the synagogue reading for that Sabbath. The idea is that all those who belong to God are taught by God, being drawn to Him (everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me).

i. “God will teach His people Himself, i.e. He will teach then within their hearts. Only those who are taught in this fashion will come to Jesus.” (Morris)

ii. “This was as much as to say, ‘The Father has never taught you. You have learned nothing from him, or you would come to me; but in your rejection of me you prove that you are strangers to the grace of God.’” (Spurgeon)

f. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me: Those who have a revelation from God the Father will come to His Son and Perfect Representative. To hear and learn from the Son is to hear and learn from the Father.

i. “But whether it is also true that every one whom God teaches comes is not here stated; the kai maqwnintroduces a doubtful element.” (Dods)

ii. “If, as some believe, Isaiah 54 as included in the appointed synagogue lessons for this period of the year, then the words quoted by Jesus may have been fresh in the minds of many of his hearers.” (Bruce)

g. He has seen the Father: Jesus here again insisted on His unique relationship to God the Father. He claimed a relationship and connection with God the Father that no one else had.

i. “Their unbelief does not alter the fact, nor weaken His assurance of the fact.” (Dods)

ii. “He is teaching the theologians about the Godhead, how that the Unity of God is not the final word of revelation concerning the one God. So long as it is thought that there is but one Person in the Godhead, the Incarnation and the whole scheme of Redemption cannot possibly be understood.” (Trench)

7. (47-51) The true bread from heaven.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” 

a. He who believes in Me has everlasting life: We read this staggering statement with two main thoughts in mind. First, what it means to “believe” in the sense Jesus meant; that is, to trust in, rely on, and cling to. It is a trusting love. Second, we think of the astounding nature of this claim. No other prophet or holy man of the Bible ever said such a thing; “Believe in me and find everlasting life.”

b. I am the bread of life: Jesus repeated and continued the use of this metaphor. As bread is necessary for physical life, so Jesus is necessary for spiritual and eternal life.

i. “Every man feeds on something or other. You see, one man getting his Sunday newspaper; how he will feed on that! Another goes to frivolous amusements, and he feeds on them. Another man feeds upon his business, and upon the thought of his many cares! But all that is poor food; it is only ashes and husks. If you did but possess true spiritual life, you would know the deep necessity there is of feeding upon Christ.” (Spurgeon)

c. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead: The spiritual bread Jesus offers is even greater than the manna Israel ate in the wilderness. What they ate only gave them temporal life; what Jesus offers brings eternal life.

d. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever: Jesus spoke in a figure of speech. The metaphor of eating and drinking was common in Jesus’ day, and pointed to a taking within one’s innermost being.

i. “When a man once takes it (‘eat’ is in the aorist tense, of the once-for-all action of receiving Christ) he will not die.” (Morris)

ii. Many Christians through history have taken this passage as speaking of the Christian practice of communion, the Lord’s Table as instituted by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:14-23), celebrated among early Christians (Acts 2:42) and taught on in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Many have thought that receiving the bread and cup of the Lord’s Table is essential for salvation, and that all who do are guaranteed salvation.

iii. A different opinion has been suggested by several other commentators, that what Jesus spoke of here is not communion, the Lord’s Table – yet the concept is related to that of communion. “Our Lord in this discourse is not indeed speaking directly of the Lord’s Supper, but he does expound the truth which the Lord’s Supper conveys.” (Bruce)

iv. “Many commentators speak as though the word ‘flesh’ self-evidently marked a reference to Holy Communion. It, of course, does nothing of the sort. It is not found in the narratives of the institution, nor in 1 Corinthians 10, nor in 1 Corinthians 11 in connexion with the sacrament. Nor is it common in the Fathers in this sense.” (Morris)

v. “The Fathers commonly expounded this part of our Saviour’s sermon as spoken of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper; and so fell into that error, that none but communicants could be saved; wherefore they also gave the sacrament to infants, and put it into the mouths of dead men.” (Trapp)

vi. “He is saying: ‘You must stop thinking of me as a subject for theological debate; you must take me into you, and you must come into me; and then you will have real life.’” (Barclay)

vii. “Crede et manducasti, said Augustine, ‘believe’ – or, rather, trust – ‘and thou hast eaten.’” (Maclaren)

e. The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world: Jesus plainly explained what He meant by bread in this context. That bread was His flesh, given for the life of the world. It was His soon-coming work on the cross when He gave His life as a sacrifice pleasing to God the Father and as a substitute for guilty sinners.

i. Morris on the use of flesh: “It is a strong word and one bound to attract attention. Its almost crude forcefulness rivets attention on the historical fact that Christ did give Himself for man.”

ii. “To give one’s flesh can scarcely mean anything other than death, and the wording here points to a death which is both voluntary (‘I will give’) and vicarious (‘for the life of the world’).” (Bruce)

iii. “The words, then, are a cryptic allusion to the atoning death that Christ would die, together with a challenge to enter the closest and most intimate relation with Him.” (Morris)

iv. “Now, brothers and sisters, the food of your faith is to be found in the death of the Lord Jesus for you; and, oh, what blessed food it is!” (Spurgeon)

v. “Here our Lord plainly declares that his death was to be a vicarious sacrifice and atonement for the sin of the world; and that, as no human life could be preserved unless there was bread (proper nourishment) received, so no soul could be saved but by the merit of his death.” (Clarke)

vi. Jesus explained that receiving Him as bread was not receiving Him as a great moral teacher, example, or prophet. It was not receiving Him as a good or great man or noble martyr. It was receiving Him in light of what He did on the cross, His ultimate act of love for lost humanity.

8. (52-59) Receiving Jesus in the fullest sense.

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

a. How can this Man give us His flesh to eat? It’s probable that the Jewish leaders willfullymisunderstood Jesus at this point. He just explained that the bread was His body that would be given as a sacrifice for the life of the world (John 6:51). They willfully twisted His words to imply a bizarre cannibalism.

i. This was the result of their quarreling (The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves). “They differed in their judgment of Him. Some impatiently denounced Him as insane; others suggesting that there was truth in His words.” (Dods)

ii. “Our Savior was, however, led to make these remarks from the fact that the ignorant Jews, when he talked about eating his flesh, and drinking his blood, really thought that he meant that they were to turn cannibals, and eat him up. You may well smile at so ridiculous an idea; yet you know that the idea is still prevalent in the Church of Rome. The Romish priest solemnly assures us that the people who eat the bread and drink the wine, or the stuff he calls bread and wine, do actually act the part of cannibals, and eat the body of Christ, and drink his blood.” (Spurgeon)

b. Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you: Jesus responded to their willful misunderstanding by speaking even more boldly, amplifying the point made at John 6:51 – His “flesh” was His laid-down life.

i. Bread of life is a metaphor. Bread from heaven is a metaphor. Living bread is a metaphor. Bread of God is a metaphor. It doesn’t surprise that Jesus extends the bread metaphor to His actual, soon-to-come sacrifice on the cross.

ii. “He gave them a further statement which they, doctors of the Law well versed in the theory of Sacrifices, would not fail to understand. The ‘eating of the flesh and drinking of the blood’ was a plain allusion to the Sacrificialidea.” (Trench)

iii. The crucified and risen Jesus must be received and internalized – metaphorically eating – or there is no true spiritual life, no eternal life.

iv. “Eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood point to that central saving act described otherwise in, say, John 3:16. Christ’s death opens the way to life. Men enter that way by faith… Eating the flesh and drinking the blood represent a striking way of saying this.” (Morris)

v. “Our Lord went further still, and spoke in mystic language of the necessity for drinking His blood. The figure was suggestive of a way into life through death and sacrifice.” (Morgan)

vi. “In verse 54 it is the person who eats the flesh of the Son of Man and drinks his blood that will be raised up by him at the last day; in verse 40 the same promise is held out to ‘every one who sees the Son and believes in him’.” (Bruce)

c. My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed: The sacrificed life of Jesus is foodand drink for the hungry and thirsty soul. When we receive and internalize Jesus Christ and Him crucified for us, we truly abide in Jesus, and He in us (abides in Me, and I in him).

i. Such radical statements offend many; in part this was Jesus’ intent. In response to those who twisted His words and meaning, He made the metaphors stronger, not weaker. He refused to back down from the truth: I am the bread of life, and the substance of that bread is His sacrifice on the cross, the giving of His flesh and blood. What He gave at the cross, we must receive.

ii. “The actual flesh and blood, the human life of Christ, was given for men; and men eat His flesh and drink His blood, when they use for their own advantage His sacrifice, when they assimilate to their own being all the virtue that was in Him.” (Dods)

iii. Abides in Me, and I in him: “He lives in them, and they in him; for they are made partakers of the Divine nature: 2 Peter 1:4.” (Clarke)

d. He who feeds on Me will live because of Me: Those who docome to Jesus, believe upon Him, feed upon Him will find life. They will live, but not because they have found or earned the answer, but because Jesus has freely given what He won at the cross – because of Me.

i. He who feeds on Me: “That is, that partaketh of my person, merits, passions, privileges; he that receiveth me in all mine offices and efficacies.” (Trapp)

ii. “In eating and drinking, a man is not a producer, but a consumer; he is not a doer or a giver forth; he simply takes in. If a queen should eat, if an empress should eat, she would become as completely a receiver as the pauper in the workhouse. Eating is an act of reception in every case. So it is with faith: you have not to do, to be, or to feel, but only to receive.”(Spurgeon)

e. He who eats this bread will live forever: Jesus offers us heavenly bread for eternal life, but we must eat it. Faith in Jesus is not compared with tasting or admiring, but with eating. Jesus says that we must have Him within us, and we must partake of Him.

· Seeing a loaf of bread on a plate will not satisfy our hunger.

· Knowing the ingredients in the bread will not satisfy our hunger.

· Taking pictures of the bread will not satisfy our hunger.

· Telling other people about the bread will not satisfy our hunger.

· Selling the bread will not satisfy our hunger.

· Playing catch with the bread will not satisfy our hunger.

· Nothing will satisfy our hunger and bring us life except actually eating the bread. He who eats this bread will live forever.

f. These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum: This remarkable discourse of Jesus, starting at John 6:26 and including the back and forth with His listeners happened during a synagogue service. Jesus likely was given the freedom of the synagogue, the opportunity to speak to the congregation.

i. “‘These things He spoke in a synagogue, teaching in Capernaum,’ and no doubt on a Sabbath, as several MSS. add.” (Trench)

F. Reacting to the Radical Statements of Jesus.

1. (60-64) Many disciples turn away.

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 

a. This is a hard saying: This refers to that which is hard to accept, not to what is hard to understand. No doubt, these disciples (disciples in the broad sense, not the narrower sense) found Jesus’ words somewhat mysterious, but it was the parts they did understand that were really disturbing.

i. “It is little wonder that the disciples found the discourse of Jesus hard. The Greek word is skleros, which means not hard to understand; but hard to accept.” (Barclay)

b. Does this offend you? Jesus understood the offence many of His listeners took at His teaching, yet He didn’t change the teaching or feel it was His fault. Jesus didn’t preach just to please His audience. If that was His concern, He would have instantly taken back what was just said, seeing His audience was offended. Jesus didn’t take it back. He challenged and confronted them even more.

i. “The events of this chapter had made it all too clear that following Him meant something different from anything they had anticipated. Nothing is said to give us a clear idea of their views, but the probability is that they were interested in a messianic kingdom in line with the general expectation.” (Morris)

c. What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? Jesus essentially said, “If all this has offended you, what will you think when you see Me in glory, and have to answer to Me in judgment?” Better to be offended now and to get over it, than to be offended on that day.

d. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing: This could well be the theme statement for this whole discourse of Jesus. He continually called them and us to put heart and focus on spiritual realities, not material things.

i. “The Spirit imparts life to the believer; it is not transmitted by the process of physical eating.” (Tenney)

e. Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe: Because Jesus is God, He had the divine prerogative to know the heart of man. Yet it is entirely possible that Jesus knew this simply as a Man submitted to the Father and gifted by the Holy Spirit. He was never deceived by a false faith, nor by the one who would betray Him.

2. (65-66) The spiritual reason why many walked away.

And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

a. Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father: Jesus rebuked their own material and earthly motivations for following Him. If they did not seek Him by the Spirit instead of seeking Him for food and a kingdom, then they had not come to Him at all.

i. Perhaps they followed Him halfway around the Sea of Galilee, but they did not truly come to Jesus until they came in the sense of believing in Him, trusting Him, loving Him (John 6:35).

b. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more: Once Jesus effectively discouraged every material and earthly motive for following Him, many stopped following. They were also discouraged and perhaps confused by the deliberate controversy (John 6:52) introduced by the religious leaders visiting from Jerusalem (Matthew 15:1).

i. From that time: “‘From this time’ is a possible translation of ek toutou. It could also mean ‘Because of this [utterance].’ The latter makes good sense because it was not simply the chronology that changed the disciples’ attitude.” (Tenney)

ii. When so many left, it looked like the enemies of Jesus won. “It is the crisis of the first great apostasy in His Ministry. His enemies, ‘the Jews,’ have to all appearances carried the day.” (Trench) Jesus was left with only the 12, and perhaps they would also leave. Yet the battle was not yet over. Many who left would come back, but the loss of those who followed Jesus for material or impure motives was painful – one wished they remained to hear and receive the work of the Spirit. Their leaving didn’t prove Jesus and those who kept with Him to be false.

iii. “Churches have summers, like our gardens, and then all things are full; but then come their winters, and, alas, what emptyings are seen!” (Spurgeon)

iv. It’s important to do as Jesus did, and to notencourage others to follow Jesus for material and temporal motives, promoting Jesus simply as something to add to make a better life. Of those who come in such ways, it may be revealed that it was never been granted to him by My Father to follow after Jesus.

3. (67-69) The disciples stand as examples of willingness to follow even if they don’t understand it all.

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

a. Do you also want to go away? What a scene! Scores of would-be followers of Jesus left Him, and He asked the twelve if they would also go. Jesus searched the motives of all that follow Him, including the twelve. As the synagogue emptied, Jesus asked this question that assumed a “No” answer.

i. “As John phrases our Lord’s question in Greek, he implies that it was not asked in a mood of despair; the use of the Greek negative me in a question indicates that the answer ‘No’ is expected. ‘Youdon’t want to go away too, do you?’” (Bruce)

b. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life: Speaking for the twelve, Simon Peter gave a wonderful statement of faith.

· He recognized Jesus as Lord.

· He recognized Jesus as the preferred alternative, despite the difficulties.

· He recognized the value of spiritual things, more than the material and earthly desires of those who walked away (thewords of eternal life).

· He recognized Jesus as Messiah (the Christ) and God (Son of the living God).

4. (70-71) Jesus’ knowledge of His own disciples.

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

a. Did I not choose you: Jesus did in fact, choose the twelve disciples. Yet one among whom He chose was like a devil – and would betray Him.

i. “One of them was a diabolos – the Greek word means a ‘slanderer’ or ‘calumniator’ or ‘false accuser’, but it is probably used here as the counterpart to the Hebrew satan, ‘adversary’.” (Bruce)

ii. “In the dark act here prophesied, Judas was under the immediate instigation of and yielded himself up to Satan.” (Alford)

iii. “There are Judases among the apparent followers of the Lord in our day. They are in our pews, even in our pulpits, and they are sometimes undetected. They betray the Lord and the gospel by both their words and their actions.” (Boice)

b. He spoke of Judas: The simple, spiritual devotion of the disciples to Jesus made the contrast of Judas’ apostasy that much more horrible. Though many walk away and some may even betray Jesus, it should not change the faith or the walk of the true follower of Jesus Christ.

i. Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon: “Not only was Judas’s father from Karioth, but Judas himself was from Karioth, as we learn from all four gospel. For all call him Iscariot, which means ‘a man of Karioth.’” (Trench)

ii. “Kerioth was a city in the southern part of Judah (Joshua 15:25), south of Hebron in the dry Negeb.” (Tenney)

Assurance Versus Security

Security

When we trust in Jesus Christ, our eternal security in Christ becomes a spiritual reality whether we understand it or believe it. Ones belief in security in Christ does not make it true or false. If we have trusted in the person and work of Christ for personal salvation, security is a fact.

Assurance

Assurance is the confident realizationof that security. It is the realization of what we have in Christ such as eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and being the object of God’s personal care as his children. Assurance has to do with our comprehension of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Christ. This is a crucial doctrine because, properly understood, it will touch the believer’s life in several areas. Not only does it give assurance of salvation, but with that also comes a greater assurance of God’s provision in all areas of life.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

When people do not have assurance, we should always begin by sharing the gospel to be sure they have truly trusted in Christ. Once this is confirmed, then move on to the matters of assurance.

Reasons Why People Lack Assurance

(1) People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. Some doubt or wonder if they were ever really saved. There is a specific point in time when salvation occurs—the point when regeneration takes place. The issue for people is to know if they now really trust in the person and work of Christ.

(2) People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. Many evangelists and preachers emphasize the need for some form of public confession of faith like going forward at the end of a service or raising your hand. If people receive Christ privately, they may wonder if they should have made a public confession or prayed a different prayer.

(3) People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. They wonder if a true believer would have these kinds of problems. The real problem is ignorance of man’s sinful nature, the spiritual warfare we are in, God’s means of deliverance, and the need to grow and mature in Christ.

(4) The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ.

(5) Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation. This is a major issue today. Robert Lightner writes:

Those who think the sinner must make Christ Lord of his life, or at least promise to do so, before he can be saved make assurance rest on the evidence of a surrendered walk. MacArthur cites this as the only way a believer can be assured of his or her salvation. ‘Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience.’⁷

So what is the proper basis for assurance? Should we look to some experience or our works?

Foundations for Assurance

The Word of God

The Word of God is God’s witness to the believer (1 John 5:11-13). The Greek text includes the article with the word “life.” Salvation in Christ is not just the gift of life, but of “the life,” the one which comes only through faith in God’s unique Son. The clear declaration of Scripture is that the one who believes in Christ’s person and work on the cross as God’s provision for his sins has:

(1) Eternal life.

John 3:36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(2) Forgiveness of all sin.

Acts 10:43 About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

Colossians 2:13 And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.

(3) Freedom from condemnation.

John 5:24 “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

(4) Justification (declared righteous by God).

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 4:1-6 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “ Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Romans 4:25 He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

(5) Salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

(6) A child of God by faith.

John 1:12 But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.

John Calvin emphatically warned against looking to ourselves, that is, to our works or the fruit of the Spirit, for certainty of our salvation. He taught that we should look to Christ as the objective basis for assurance. To look to ourselves produces doubt and detracts from the saving work of Christ. He rejected the exhortation to self-examination as a dangerous dogma.⁸

Contrary to MacArthur’s comment quoted above, this is not a matter of clinging to some experience, but the sure witness of the Word of God. Earl Radmacher writes:

Many wise pastors have insisted that the basis for knowing that I am a Christian is not what I do but what God’s Word says about what Christ has done and continues to do for those who have believed (John 1:12; 1 John 5:13). I know I belong to Christ because I have believed in Jesus Christ as my only Savior and Redeemer from eternal destruction. It’s not the evidences of my life that are my basis for knowing that. It’s the Word of God. God said it. That settles it. I am fearful of those today, who because of a genuine, valid concern about the lack of growth and the lack of evident Christian lifestyle, are willing to try to prop up the Gospel by adding to it.⁹

The Work of Christ

To properly understand the work of Christ (Christ’s substitutionary death, dying in our place and bearing our sins on the cross) is another vital need tremendously important to assurance. This too, of course, is based on the statements of Scripture, but the emphasis is on understanding the sufficiency, finished nature, and accomplishments of the death of Christ. There are two prominent aspects here which Scripture emphatically teaches:

(1) Salvation is not by our works or merit (cf. Rom. 4:1-7 above).

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5-7 He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”

(2) Salvation is solely by Christ’s person and work as a gift of God.

1 John 5:5-12 Now who is the person who has conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 Jesus Christ is the one who came by water and blood—not by the water only, but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify, 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three are in agreement. 9 If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that he has testified concerning his Son. 10 (The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has testified concerning his Son.) 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.

Philippians 3:8-9 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.

The Witness of the Holy Spirit

(1) The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. 

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me,

John 16:8-13 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment— 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.

1 John 4:6 We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

(2) The Holy Spirit is called an anointing. Both of these descriptions portray the Holy Spirit’s ministry of teaching believers God’s Word.

1 John 2:20, 27 Nevertheless you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. … 27 Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.

(3) The Holy Spirit opens the Word to our hearts.

Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

(4) The Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ and gives us understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. 13 And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Ephesians 3:15-19 from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. 16 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

(5) The Holy Spirit assures our hearts through the Word that we are children of God. The witness concerning life in the Son through believing in the Son as promised in 1 John 5:11 is really the message to which the Holy Spirit bears witness in the Word.

Romans 8:15-16 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.

1 John 5:7-11 For there are three that testify, 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three are in agreement. 9 If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that he has testified concerning his Son. 10 (The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has testified concerning his Son.) 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

Principles for Assurance

Principle 1: We need to draw our assurance from faith in the facts of Scripture and not from our feelings. Our faith and thus our assurance must stand on the sure promises of the Bible rather than on our feelings. The biblical order is: FACTS ——>FAITH ——>FEELINGS. Feelings are the responders of the soul or heart. They are to follow and respond to our understanding of Scripture, but they are never a safe guide to what we should believe or of the state of our salvation. This leads to the next point.

Principle 2: We need to draw our assurance from faith in the facts of Scripture and not from our works. Works or the biblical changes that occur in our lives as a result of the grace of God can confirm the reality of our life with God. We must be ever so careful, however, in making such subjective ground the basis of our assurance, for when a believer is out of fellowship he or she can have the appearance of an unbeliever especially if the condition lasts for any length of time.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? 4 For whenever someone says, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” are you not merely human?

If we depend on works or obedient living to prove our salvation then we are faced with the following dilemma: If we are living obediently now (the supposed proof of salvation), the possibility exists that could change in the future. If later on we cease to live obediently, then that would prove (based on the above premise) that we are not now true Christians in spite of our obedient lifestyle. So present obedience can never really prove our Christianity and thus, we could never have assurance.

Post-generation performance is not a trustworthy basis for assurance of salvation. Scripture clearly warns against basing assurance or true relationship with God on performance. Note Matthew 7:13-23, for an example. The false prophets typically come in sheep’s clothing. Catch that—they look good! They do all the right things. They appear to be ‘model Christians,’ pillars of the church. (Fruit here refers not to the behavior of these people but to their teaching—see Matt. 12:31-37.) But they’ve never trusted Christ; they have no vital relationship with Him (v 23). Instead, at the bottom line, they are trusting in themselves (v 22). Their performance looks good. In fact it leads them to conclude that they are right with God. And yet they are deceived. They learn too late that assurance of salvation cannot properly be based on performance.¹⁰

Proper Christian living should never be the fundamental grounds for assurance of salvation. Rather, assurance of salvation which should rest in the merit and sufficiency of the Savior and the believer’s new life in Christ, must be the fundamental basis for proper Christian living.

Colossians 3:1-4 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

As John shows in 1 John 1:6-7, Christlike behavior is an evidence of genuine fellowship and that a person is truly walking with the Lord in the light.

1 John 1:6-7 If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth. ^1:7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

However, proper Christian living is not necessarily an evidence of genuine relationship because when believers are out of fellowship for any length of time they will manifest the works of the flesh and may look very much like an unbeliever. As mentioned earlier, the apostle Paul speaks of this when he described carnal Christians as “behaving like unregenerate people” in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4.

3 for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? 4 For whenever someone says, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” are you not merely human?

The apostle was not questioning or denying the fact of their salvation. He affirmed his conviction of their salvation, but they were walking according to the flesh rather than according to the Spirit of God. This made them behave so they looked like natural men, like men who were without the saving power of Christ, when in reality they were in Christ with the Spirit indwelling them.

1 Corinthians 1:2-9 to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! 4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus. 5 For you were made rich in every way in him, in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge— 6 just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you— 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:1 So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Sometimes a passage like 2 Corinthians 13:5 is used to support the necessity of examining our works to prove our salvation. This is unfortunate because this is mere proof-texting and misses the context and the actual meaning and purpose of this passage in the argument of Paul in 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test!

MacArthur is an illustration of this. He writes: “Doubts about one’s salvation are not wrong so long as they are not nursed and allowed to become an obsession. Scripture encourages self-examination. Doubts must be confronted and dealt with honestly and biblically.” Then, after quoting 2 Corinthians 13:5 he concludes, “That admonition is largely ignored—and often explained away—in the contemporary church.”¹¹

But is this the correct interpretation of this passage? Is Paul calling these believers to examine themselves for the purpose of assurance of salvation? The context says no! The following are some reasons for this position:

(1) Again, as in 1 Corinthians, Paul affirmed his conviction they were saved. He does not question their salvation for a moment as is clear from the passages mentioned above.

(2) Even if Paul were telling them to examine themselves for assurance, he does not tell them to examine their works for assurance. In light of the plain teaching of Scripture, if anything needed to be examined, it would be the object of their faith. Had they truly trusted in Christ rather than in some system of works?

(3) He does tell them to examine themselves, but he had another purpose in mind according to the context of verses 3-7. Some were questioning the validity of the ministry of the apostle because of the influence of certain false teachers. Compare 2 Corinthians 11:1-12:21 where the apostle defends his ministry against their accusations. They were demanding proof in verse 3 that Christ was speaking through Paul. In verse 5 Paul shows them that the proof they were looking for was in themselves because he had been their father in the faith.

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The sure way to prove Paul’s ministry was to examine their own faith since their belief in the genuineness of their faith carried with it the proof of the genuineness of Paul’s ministry as a spokesman for Christ. Did they know the Savior? Yes. How did they come to know the Savior? Through Paul’s ministry. He did not believe they were counterfeit and knew they were unlikely to come to a different conclusion about their faith which only proved he too passed the test. This is the point of 2 Corinthians 13:6, “And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test.”

Remember that the basis God gives us for assurance of salvation is His record or witness to us as clearly declared in 1 John 5:11-13:

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

The Bema 
(Judgment Seat of Christ)

Does the fact that we are confident of our salvation because of the finished work of Christ mean we can be indifferent about our lifestyle? Does assurance of salvation promote promiscuous Christian living and faulty stewardship? No, not if one understands the whole counsel of the Word.

Every believer as a child of God is a steward to whom God has entrusted stewardships of time, talents (spiritual gifts included), God’s truth, and treasures. A steward is someone who manages the property or equipment of another. What does this mean? The apostle Paul teaches us “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” God holds us responsible for what we do with our stewardship, and a day will come when we will be held accountable for what we have done with the life God has given us. This is the point of 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:

12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. 14 If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Note the contrast here. The believer is in heaven because of what Jesus did, but accountable reward-wise for what he did with the life and gifts God gave him. Again, listen to Radmacher’s comments on this:

As I write these words, I stand in God’s sight faultless and perfect because God Almighty sees me through Jesus Christ. There is no compromise to that. No one who knows Jesus Christ will ever appear at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20. Believers shall appear, however, at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema) and will be judged by their works (2 Cor. 5:10). It is significant to note that both the unregenerate and the regenerate will be judged by their works. The unregenerate will be judged by their works at the Great White Throne Judgment and the results of that judgment will be degrees of eternal punishment in hell. The regenerate will be judged by their works at the Bema and the result of that judgment will be either be reward or the lack of it.¹²

In lesson 7 we will cover the Judgment Seat of Christ in detail, but for now, it is sufficient for us to realize that while we are secure in the Savior as far as heaven is concerned, we have a wonderful stewardship for which we are each responsible. Our need is to be disciplined through God’s grace unto godliness which has a promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. 8 For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

⁷ Robert Lightner, Sin, The Savior, and Salvation, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1991, p. 246 quoting John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 23.

⁸ Charles Bell, Calvin and Scottish Theology: The Doctrine of Assurance,Handsel, Edinburg, 1985, p. 28.

⁹ Earl Radmacher, The Grace Evangelical Society News, Vol. 10, No. 3, May-June 1995, p. 1.

¹⁰ Rich Christianson, The Grace Evangelical Society News, Vol. 9, No. 1, January-February 1994, p. 4.

¹¹ John F. MacArthur, Jr., The Gospel According to Jesus, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1988, p. 190.

¹² Radmacher, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 1, 4.

The Will Of God

THOUGHTS ON THE WILL OF GOD: First a disclaimer: This post is only a “snippet” of the truths about the profound topic of GOD’S WILL but hopefully will give you some general guidance. First, we must distinguish between the HIDDEN (SECRET) WILLof God and the REVEALED WILL of God. The HIDDEN WILL of God can only be known in retrospect (if even then) because the “secret things belong to the Lord” (Dt 29:29a+). Recall that Joseph did not understand the “hidden” will of God in His life until later when he looked back over the events of his life and the Spirit revealed to him that he could confidently say to his brothers “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Ge 50:20+) In this life, we may never know God’s hidden or secret will for our life, but we can be assured that God’s ultimate purpose for us as believers is good for He promises to cause all things to work together for good, using them to conform us progressively into the image of His Son (Ro 8:28-29+).

John Piper adds that HIDDEN WILL is when

God sovereignly decrees (“Will of Decree”) and designs circumstances so that we end up where He wants us to be even if we don’t have any conscious part in getting there. For example, Paul and Silas found themselves in jail, and the result was the salvation of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:24-34+)!

ROLE OF GOD’S WORD: God’s REVEALED WILL is most clearly revealed in the HIS WORD, which provides clear guidelines regarding moral and spiritual matters (E.g., 1Th 4:3+ = a holy walk, 1Th 5:18+ = a continual attitude of gratitude, 1Pe 2:15+ = good behavior, etc). Swindoll writes that “The better you get to know the WORD OF GOD, the less confusing is the WILL OF GOD. Those who struggle the least with the will of God are those who know the Word of God best.” It follows that the best way to know GOD’S REVEALED WILL is by diligently studying HIS REVEALED WORD (cf 2Ti 2:15+, 2Ti 3:16-17+, Ps 119:105+, Pr 3:5-6+). But we need to beware of the delusion that just reading His Word is sufficient to discern His will (cf Jas 1:22+). When we obey what we read we will be blessed in what we do (Jas 1:25+). In John 7:17+ Jesus explains that whoever is willing to do (obey) God’s will, will know whether His teaching is of God or merely His own. The first prerequisite to ascertaining God's leading in some matter is a willingness to follow God's will, even if the answer goes against our preference. Someone has well said that most people don't really want to know the will of God in order to do it. They want to know it in order to consider it. Spurgeon emphasizes that “Our responsibility is to seek out and walk in the good old paths (“Will of God” - Jer 6:16+), even if it goes against our own wills.” And Alan Redpath warns us “Don’t expect God to reveal His will for you next week until you practice it for today.” And so “To understand the will of God is my problem; to undertake the will of God is my privilege; to undercut the will of God is my peril.” (Rees) In short, the best way to know God's WILL is to say "I WILL" to God!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD and GOD’S WILL: John Piper asks

Do you see the implications of saying that we discover GOD’S WILL from HIS WORD? It means that if you are really serious about wanting to do God’s WILL, you will become a meditative student of his WORD. I say MEDITATIVE because it’s not just memorized facts that we need. It is a knowledge of “trajectories.” And we get that by asking (Ed: asking questions of the Scripture we read = “Inductive Bible Study”…questions like) WHAT’S the point of this? WHERE does that lead to? WHY did he say this? WHERE is he heading here? WHAT does this imply? To ask those questions prayerfully is to MEDITATE. If you are not spending much time in MEDITATIVE STUDY OF GOD’S WORD, then probably doing God’s will on earth is not the passion of your life. And if you ever ask the question, “What is God’s will?” you probably get very confused…? Do you think that in this atmosphere you can maintain a vigorous, powerful, free, renewed mind with a ten-minute glance at God’s book once a day? The reason there are church people who are basically secular like everyone else except with a religious veneer is that they devote 99% of their time absorbing the trajectories of the world and 1% of their time absorbing the trajectories of the Word. If you want to bring forth the will of God in your life like a mother brings forth a child, you must “marry” the Bible. For some of you the Bible is a stranger that you greet on the way to work but never have over for a relaxed evening of conversation and seldom invite along to spend significant time with you on vacation. Then do not be surprised if you are ill-equipped to read the “trajectories” of God’s will for your own life. Summer is a time for experiments. May I suggest one? If you are discouraged and perplexed about God’s will in some area of your life, plan in the next couple weeks to find a quiet place totally alone, and read the Bible meditatively for four hours interspersed only by prayer. Here’s what will happen. For some of you the clouds of confusion will lift, and the trajectory of God’s will shall be perfectly clear. For others the precise decision won’t come that quickly, but you will experience a wonderful purifying and stabilizing of your mind (Ro 12:2+).

ROLE OF A RENEWED MIND: What about those situations where there is no obvious Bible passage clearly revealing God’s will? Piper notes that in fact “Most of the decisions we make are not spelled out specifically in the Bible.” He advocates an approach based on Ro 12:2+ which says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (Greek means to test and approve) what the WILL OF GOD is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” And so we seek to spend time with God in His Word and in prayer, not so much to discern His will, but primarily to allow the Spirit to RENEW OUR MINDS with the truth (cp 2Cor 3:18+, Jn 17:17+, Ep 4:23+, Col 3:10+). As our mind is renewed, we are better able to see things the way God sees and understands them. Then when we are faced with a choice, there is something in our renewed mind (1Co 2:16b+) which is able to discern “where Christ would be magnified, where faith would be built, and where people would be loved.….The Spirit shapes the mind and heart through the WORD and PRAYER so that we have inclinations toward what would be most glorifying to Him (1Cor 10:31+)” (Piper). Piper goes on to emphasize that the “the prerequisite of divine guidance is NOT the quest for messages, but the quest for holiness. Guidance is the product NOT of ecstatic heights but of spiritual depth.” In other words, we can best discern God’s will when we seek first His kingdom (and Jesus the King), for then all these things (including God’s good and acceptable and perfect will) will be given to us (Mt 6:33+). The relationship with God must come first!

ROLE OF PRAYER: Jesus taught us to pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6:10+) And on the night before He was crucified and experiencing intense agony (being in the center of God’s will does not mean we are immune to suffering!) and selflessly prayed “yet NOT MY WILL but THINE be done.” (Lk 22:42+, cp Jn 4:34+). Watson agrees that “If we would do GOD’S WILL aright, let us labor for self-denial. Unless we deny OUR OWN WILL, we shall never do God’s will. His will and ours are like the wind and tide when they are contrary.” Indeed, Jesus could affirm “I always do the things that are pleasing (His Father’s will) to Him." (Jn 8:29+) And so if any of us lacks wisdom as to what to do in a difficult situation, James instructs us to ask God, believing that He will generously give us wisdom (Jas 1:2-7+). We should also ask God that we might be FILLED WITH (controlled by) the knowledge of GOD’S WILL in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we might walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:9-10+) We can also pray as David did for God to teach us to do His will and to let His good Spirit lead us (Ps 143:10+).

ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: Paul writes that believers should “not be foolish but understand (put the pieces of the puzzle together so to speak) what the will of the Lord is (indicating that not to understand God’s will is foolish, and also that God’s will while mysterious can be discerned).” (Eph 5:17+). And then what does Paul say? “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph 5:18+) Clearly when we are filled with (controlled by) the Spirit, we are more likely to “understand what the will of the Lord is” in a given situation or circumstance. Watson adds “If the lodestone draw the iron, it is not hard for the iron to move: if God’s Spirit enables you, it will not be hard, but rather delightful to do God’s will (Ps 40:8+).” However you still might be wondering “What about those nudges I sometimes get to do this or that?” Scripture says that the Spirit indwells us to guide (lead) us (Jn 16:13+, Ro 8:14+, Gal 5:18+, 1Cor 2:12-13+) and He may give us inner impressions. While subjective impressions can sometimes give guidance, we need to be cautious and should “minor” on this approach, and instead “major” on understanding general biblical principles that the Spirit can use to give our renewed mind a sense of whether something is the will of God (Ro 12:2+). John Piper has some helpful guidance in this more subjective area asking

as I face all the decisions of today, how will I have a spiritual “taste bud” so that I can taste what is the WILL OF GOD, what is good, acceptable and perfect? And the answer that the Bible gives is, "Get a transformed mind." So we labor in the WORD and in PRAYER not just to figure out lists of deeds that are more or less acceptable, BUT we labor to get a MIND that thinks and feels about things the way Christ does. So that when a phone call comes in, or an opportunity to go somewhere arises, or we have to choose this or that, there is something about our minds that discerns where Christ would be magnified, where faith would be built, and where people would be loved.

Martin Luther adds the caution that

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant (authority) is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.”

Henrietta Mears the famous Bible teacher once said

A bird is free in the air. Place a bird in the water and he has lost his liberty. A fish is free in the water, but leave him on the sand and he perishes….The Christian is free when he does the WILL OF GOD and is obedient to God’s command. This is as natural a realm for God’s child as the water is for the fish, or the air for the bird.”

True freedom is not in having your own way,
but in yielding to God’s way.

STEP BY STEP

Finally, remember that that God seldom gives us the whole picture of His will for our life, but leads us one step at a time - The steps of a man are established by the LORD (Ps 37:23+).

One other thought about the sweet will of God which is good and acceptable and perfect (Ro 12:2) - The will of God will never lead you where the grace and power of God is not able to keep you.

Rich Mullins has a great song about the stepwise revelation of the will of God, and in his song he also addresses those times when God’s will is difficult or we fail to obey -- “I may falter in my steps but never beyond Your reach.”

Sing this song (Sometimes by Step) as your prayer to God…

Oh God You are My God
And I will ever praise You
And I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days.

ADDENDUM NOTES
ON THE WILL OF GOD

The best way to study a subject often begins with a definition of that subject. What do we mean by the will of God? It is that holy and stated purpose of the Father to make His dear children as much like Christ as possible. Without doubt the most important factor in finding God’s will is the Bible itself. God speaks to us not in some loud voice, but through the Scriptures.

1) The Scriptures declare He does have a definite will for my life. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps 37:23Spurgeon). “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Ps 32:8Spurgeon). See also Eph 2:10+; Heb 12:1+.

2) God desires us to know this will for our lives. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ep 5:17+).

3) This will is continuous. It does not begin when I am thirty years of age. God has a will for children, young people, adults, and senior citizens. See Isa 58:11.

4) God’s will is specific. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isa 30:21). “But the way of the upright is a highway” (Pr 15:19).

5) God’s will is profitable (Jos 1:8+; Ps 1:1, 2, 3+).

What is the will of God for us? As we have already noted, it differs from believer to believer. But here are four aspects in the will of God which apply to every Christian:

It is His will that we learn more about God Col 1:9+

It is His will that we grow in grace 1 Th 4:3+

It is His will that we study His Word 2 Ti 3:14, 15, 16, 17- +

It is His will that we share our faith Acts 1:8; 1 Ti 2:4 2 Peter 3:9+

The Will of God
Acts 21:1-14

Jack Arnold has a very helpful summary of the will of God in the context of this passage regarding God's will for Paul regarding going to Jerusalem.

• Acts 21:1-14 The Will of God

The Will of God Acts 21:1-14

After a person becomes a Christian, the next most important step is to ascertain the will of God for his life.  The most vital question for a Christian is, “What is the will of God for my life?”  The Christian is not only asked to know the will of God, but he is commanded to know the will of God for his life.  “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).

According to the Bible, there are at least four different forms of the will of God.  Bible scholars have tried to give more than four categories, but these four essentially express all we need to know as Christians about the will of God.

The Secret Will of God

The secret will of God flows out of God’s sovereignty and includes what He planned in eternity past, and this will (plan) most certainly will come to pass.  The secret will is known only to God and not to man.

“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” (Isa. 46:9, 10).

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29).

It is important to know that God has a secret will for it gives the Christian confidence that God has a plan for this work and for each Christian individually.

The Revealed Will of God

The revealed will of God refers to the commands of Scripture.  It deals with what God desires for the Christian to do and with what the Christian ought to do according to God’s revelation in the Bible (Deut. 29:29).  The revealed will is never done perfectly by the Christian but it is his ethical standard of conduct.  Christians, for instance, are commanded to be holy in conduct (I Pet. 1:15, 16), to have a prayer life (I Thes. 5:17), to grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet. 3:18), to love one another (Jn. 13:34, 35), to witness for Christ in this world (Matt. 28:19) and to keep hundreds of other commands written in Scripture.  If a Christian fails to keep the revealed will of God, then he must pay the consequences for his disobedience.

The Permissive Will of God

The permissive will of God is a theological way of explaining how nothing can happen outside of God’s secret will, and yet God is not responsible for sin.  Human sin falls under the permissive will of God.  It is related to those responsible actions of men which God passively allows, and yet He still has control over them.  The permissive will of God deals with the negative aspects of God’s secret will.

The Directive Will of God

The directive will of God deals with those things God is actively and deliberately directing in His secret will.  It is related to the positive aspects of the secret will of God.  God’s directive will deals with the guidance of the Christian so that he knows in his experience, at least in part, the outworking of the secret will of God.

What Is Involved in the Directive Will?

The directive will is getting divine leading and guidance in the Christian’s life so he knows in his experience that he is in the center of God’s will and being directed by God.  Most, if not all, problems in the directive will of God can be placed into three categories: 1) Vocation: what do you want me to do in life? 2) Location: where do you want me to live geographically? 3) Situation: seeking divine guidance and knowing God's will for every situation.

How Is the Directive
Will of God Determined? 

Primary Methods.  There are four primary methods for determining the directive will of God.

1. Bible.  The Bible is the first and primary source for determining God's directive will.  One must know the commands and principles of Scripture and apply these to one's experience.  It is never the will of God to do anything if it is contrary to any biblical command or principle (Col. 1:9).
2. Prayer.  One must pray honestly for God's will over any matter, making it known to God that He is willing and ready to do anything God reveals to him.  If a person is not open and honest before God in prayer, then he will never know the directive will of God.
3. Fellowship.  It is important that a Christian be in fellowship with Christ at all times.  Where we are and what we are to do are not nearly so important as what we are to God.  He wants us to be constantly in fellowship with Christ at all times no matter what the circumstances may be.
4. Common Sense.  A Christian must use all of his God-given natural faculties in studying all factors in finding the will of God.  However, all reasoning must be directed by biblical principles and bathed in prayers, for the mind is still tainted by sin and the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
5. Conviction.  Quite often the Holy Spirit gives a strong conviction which cannot be shaken.  It is the still small voice of God speaking to the conscience that we are to do something for Him.  The inner witness of the Spirit is a reality for every Christian in fellowship with his Lord.

Secondary Methods

1. Circumstances.  God may lead by opening and closing doors (Col. 4:3).  The Christian should pray, “If this is not your will, Lord. then shut every door, no matter what it may cost me personally."
2. Counsel.  It is always wise to seek out the counsel of another Christian or Christians to talk over the matter (Prov. 15:22).  The counsel may be rejected, but it is good to get wisdom from older, more mature Christians.  The facts, or the clarification of facts, may come through a counselor, but the leading must come from the Lord.  To reject the advice of a counselor is not always wrong, especially if a person has a strong conviction from the Lord that he is to do something.
3. Peace.  If God is in some move, He will give a peace which passes all human understanding (Col. 3:15).  A person should pray until he has divine peace.  He may be afraid emotionally of the situation but may have peace that he is doing the right thing.

Knowing the will of God is what Acts 21:1-26 is all about.  The Apostle Paul had to know the will of God for his life in the same way we have to know the will of God for our lives, and he struggled with and faced the same kind of problems about the will of God as we do. (Acts 21:1-14 The Will of God)

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Robert Morgan in a sermon on Psalm 23 has the following thoughts on discerning the Will of God

• Read his full message Psalm 23: The Cure for "Nerves"
• Also read his sermon Six Ways to Know God's Will - this message has a number of illustrations

His Plan For Life’s Pathways

He also provides guidance, and leads us in paths of righteousness.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

I believe that I can say that all my life I have sensed the Lord’s unseen hand leading me, even when I wasn’t following Him as closely I should. The other day someone told my daughter, "If only your dad had done this or that he would be here or there…." Frankly I was offended. My answer is, "I don’t want to be here or there, and I don’t need people second guessing my decisions in life. I just want to do God’s will."

We have three sheep who live in our back yard, and the other day I was studying Ethel’s eyes. They was dull and cloudy. I can’t image how she can even see through them. Sheep don’t have very good eyesight, and they can’t see very far down the path. They need a shepherd to guide them, and so do we. Jesus said in John 10 that His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

One of my favorite hymns says,

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell;
For I know what’ere befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

I’m of the opinion that the Lord wants to lead us even in the smaller decisions of life. The Bible says,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

THE SIX C's OF DIVINE GUIDANCE

How can you find God’s will for your life? Let me give you the six C’s of Divine Guidance.

1. Commit your decision to the Lord in prayer.
2. Open the covers of the Bible and seek Scriptural direction. Even on totally secular decisions, there’s something about Bible study that tends to point the way for us.
3. Seek the counsel of those who know more about the matter than you do. The Bible says, "In a multitude of counselors there is safety."
4. Fourth, what are the circumstances indicating?
5. And then, very often, an inner conviction will begin to develop. The Holy Spirit helps us instinctively know what to do.
6. Finally, contemplate the issue. Think it through. God gave each of us a brain, and He expects us to use it to arrive at a wise and sanctified decision.

In the process, His divine guidance extends over our lives, and we can say,

"He leadeth me in paths of righteousness. He leads me in the right paths." (Psalm 23 - The Cure for "Nerves")

In another sermon on only a single verse "Psalm 23:3" Robert Morgans amplifies a bit more on the "Six C's" first introducing with these thoughts...

Great Guidance Verses and Hymns
Let me give you some of my favorite Bible verses that reassure us that God has an individual plan for each of His children, and He has promised to guide us accordingly:

• Proverbs 3:5-6:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
• Psalm 37:23:  The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
• Psalm 139:16:  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
• Isaiah 48:17:  I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
• Psalm 32:8:  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
• Psalm 48:14:  For this is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.
• Isaiah 58:11:  The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
• Psalm 73:24:  You will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me into glory.
• And our text today, Psalm 23:3:  You lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.

 These verses have also inspired some of our great hymns.  There is a category of hymn that means a lot to me.  I call these hymns of guidance.

Savior, like a Shepherd lead me,
Much I need Thy tender care.
 
If Thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And trust in Him through all thy days,
He’s give the strength what e’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
 
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me.
His faithful follower I would be
For by His hand He leadeth me.
 
Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
 
In shady green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along.
 
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn…...

.....

Six C’s of Guidance
 
Try using six C’s of Divine Guidance.
 
1.Commit your decision to the Lord in prayer.  

Ask the Lord to lead you.  Ask Him to have His way in your decision and in the direction of your life.  Let me give you a sample prayer.  Let’s say you’re trying to decide where to go to college.  Try finding a special place and time to consciously and definitely give it to the Lord in prayer.  Find a hillside, (as I did on one occasion), or walk along the seashore (as I did on another occasion), or kneel down by your bedside or wherever you are; and take as long as you can to talk to the Lord about your decision.  Say, “Dear God, I believe that you have a plan for my life.  I want to remind you of some verses that You have put in your Bible.  I want to remind You of Psalm 23:3, and I want to claim that verse in this decision.  You have promised to lead me in paths of righteousness.  I want to remind you of Proverbs 3:5 and 6, and of Jeremiah 29:11.  I believe that I want to go on to college, but I’m not sure where to go.  Should I go to this school or that one?  Here are my five best options, Lord, and I want to lay them before You.  I’m going to lay these academic catalogues here on the bed or here on the ground.  I’m going to spread them out before You.  You know how much each school costs.  You know every professor under whom I will sit.  You know every friend whom I would make at each school. You know every influence that I would face.  Lord, will You lead me and guide me?  Will You show me what to do and grant me the decision to make the choice that most pleases You and that represents Your perfect will for my life?  I am willing to go where You send and do what You say.” 
 
You may spend five minutes in this prayer or you may spend an hour or you may spend all night, as some people have done. Jesus spent all night in prayer before choosing and calling His disciples.  But I recommend having a definite time of prayer, committing your big decisions to the Lord (and the little ones, too!).  And then, periodically, pray for this decision on an on-going way.  Pray as the Lord or as circumstances bring it mind.  Jot the item down on your prayer list and pray over it daily. 
 
2.  Second, open the Covers of the Bible and seek Scriptural direction.

This doesn’t mean we’ll always have a specific verse telling us what to do; but in the process of fellowshipping in God’s Word, He’ll use Bible texts to give wisdom, and certain Scriptures will become helpful in the decision-making process.  It’s a little hard to explain, but it’s wonderful to experience.  As we meet with the Lord each day for regular Bible reading or as we spend special times in prayer and Bible study, very often there’s some verse or Scripture that God gives us.  It helps us know what to do.  It reassures us of the way we should go.
 
I’ll give you an example.  One of my favorite writers is Dr. J. Oswald Sanders.  As far as I’m concerned, you can read every book he ever wrote and find profit in every page.  He was a lawyer in New Zealand who ended up becoming a great missionary statesman and a powerful worldwide Bible teacher.  Several years ago, when he was a very old man, he wrote an article for Discipleship Journal about lessons he had learned along the way, and he spoke of the time when he was invited to become leader of a great missionary organization.  At the time, he had spent twenty years at a Bible college in Auckland and he enjoyed his work very much.  He had a number of other ministries for which he was responsible and all of it was fulfilling to him.  And then came an invitation to become the general director for China Inland Mission.
 
It was the last thing in the world he wanted to do, for it was a time of crisis.  Hundreds of missionaries had been withdrawn from China, and he knew that the work would be tremendously stressful.  A mighty stream of workers was coming out of China and had to be relocated all over Free Asia, and he did not want the job.  The board asked him unanimously to become the director, but he didn’t want to do it.
 
Dr.  Sanders talked to a friend of his, a confidant, a medical doctor.  The man said, “I’ve got a passage of Scripture for you that I believe is from the Lord.”  The passage was 1 Peter 5:1-7.  Dr. Sanders went to his room and picked up the Bible.  That’s when the Phillips translation had just come out, so he thought to himself, “I’ll read it in Phillips.”  He turned to 1 Peter 5 and began reading in verse 1.  It dealt with Christian leadership and verse 2 contained these words:  “Accept the responsibility of looking after (the flock) willingly, and not because you feel you can’t get out of it….”  What could he say to that?  He knew instantly that this was God’s word to Him, that he was to accept this responsibility and care for the families of this missionary flock, and to do so willingly.[ii]
 
So very often as we prayerfully think through a decision, we’ll find verses of Scripture that seem to speak to us.  They aren’t magical, and we can’t distort or wrest them out of context.  I don’t know how to explain it except that God speaks to us in His Word; and very often in His Word we hear a word behind us saying, “This is the way; go ye in it.”
 
3.  Third, Seek the Counsel of those who know more about the matter than you do, for “in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”  

Ask people whom you respect and trust for their advice.
 
4.  Fourth, see how the Circumstances are leading.  

God often guides us through His providential leading.  He opens and closes doors.  He brings the right opportunities at the right times.  He brings the right people into our lives or across our paths.
 
5.  Fifth, very often, an inner Conviction will begin to develop.

The Holy Spirit helps us instinctively know what to do.
 
6.  And finally, Contemplate the issue.

Think it through. God gave each of us a brain, and He expects us to use it to arrive at a wise and sanctified decision.  John Wesley once said, “God generally guides me by present reasons to my mind for acting in a certain way.”  In other words, our guidance often comes in an objective rather than a subjective way.  We make a list of pros and cons, we think through the issue, and we prayerfully reach a logical decision inside these marvelous brains that God has given to us.

(Read the entire message which is about guidance - Psalm 23:3)

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  Father, I wait thy daily will;
  Thou shalt divide my portion still;
  Grant me on earth what seems thee best,
  Till death and heaven reveal the rest.
Isaac Watts

  Shall I, I pray Thee, change thy will my Father
  Until it be according unto mine?
  But no Lord, no, that never shall be, rather
  I pray thee blend my human will with thine.
Amy Carmichael

  May the mind of Christ my Saviour
  Live in me from day to day,
  By his love and power controlling
  All I do and say.
Katie Barclay Wilkinson

Let God have your life; he can do more with it than you can. D. L. Moody

There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God. Frederick W. Faber

Make this simple rule the guide of your life: to have no will but God’s. François Fenelon

If you don’t surrender to Christ you surrender to chaos. E. Stanley Jones

It has always been my ambition to have no plans as regards myself. Robert Murray M’Cheyne

To bring our minds under Christ’s yoke is not to deny our rationality but to submit to his revelation. John R. W. Stott

When all that you are is available to all that God is, then all that God is is available to all that you are. Ian Thomas

The awesome purchase price of the very life of the Son of God should be more than ample motivation to make every child of God eagerly want to yield back to the Lord the very freedom which his death bought. Charles Caldwell Ryrie

  My times are in thy hand;
  My God, I wish them there;
  My life, my friends, my soul I leave
  Entirely to thy care.
William Freeman Lloyd

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Adrian Rogers on The Will of God - “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.” - Mark 3:35 - Major Ian Thomas, English author and founder of a worldwide missionary fellowship, once wrote, “Which of these things in the life of Jesus is more spiritual?  When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount? When He raised Lazarus from the dead? When He washed His disciples’ feet? Or when He spat on the ground and made clay to anoint the blind man’s eyes? None was more spiritual than the other. Jesus did not divide His life up into little segments of spirituality. He was simply available to do whatever His Father willed.”

The will of God is not a road map.
It is a relationship! 

You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God. Are you segregating your life into activities that are more spiritual than others? Surrender all you are to Him and make yourself available for whatever He calls you to do today.

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Rob Morgan on the Word of God and the Will of God - Recently while preaching on the subject of guidance, I said that the Lord guides us as we spend time between the covers of His book.  That doesn’t mean we always find a specific verse telling us specifically what to do.  It means that as we fellowship with Him in the Scripture, very often certain verses will impart the necessary wisdom we need.  Last night in my bedtime reading I came across an excellent explanation of this.  Dr. V. Raymond Edman, in his little book, He Leadeth Me, pointed out that we can never find a specific verse to guide us in a specific way when we’re looking for it.

The Bible is not a kind of fetish or oracle into which we can glance for a word on guidance.  The Lord may lead us by the first verse we read upon opening the Book, but not necessarily so at all.  In fact, it is the common experience of devout and deeply-taught Christians that to seek a verse on guidance is never to find it. Rather, it is as we read and meditate upon the Word, perhaps in some relatively obscure portion thereof, that we are taught by the Holy Spirit and are led aright in the light thereof. [1. V. Raymond Edman,He Leadeth Me (Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press, 1959), 20]

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Alan Redpath once quipped on Mt 6:10 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" - "Before we can pray, 'Thy kingdom come', we must be willing to pray, 'My kingdom go'."

Rob Morgan on the Word of God and the Will of God - Recently while preaching on the subject of guidance, I said that the Lord guides us as we spend time between the covers of His book.  That doesn’t mean we always find a specific verse telling us specifically what to do.  It means that as we fellowship with Him in the Scripture, very often certain verses will impart the necessary wisdom we need.  Last night in my bedtime reading I came across an excellent explanation of this.  Dr. V. Raymond Edman, in his little book, He Leadeth Me, pointed out that we can never find a specific verse to guide us in a specific way when we’re looking for it.

The Bible is not a kind of fetish or oracle into which we can glance for a word on guidance.  The Lord may lead us by the first verse we read upon opening the Book, but not necessarily so at all.  In fact, it is the common experience of devout and deeply-taught Christians that to seek a verse on guidance is never to find it. Rather, it is as we read and meditate upon the Word, perhaps in some relatively obscure portion thereof, that we are taught by the Holy Spirit and are led aright in the light thereof. [1. V. Raymond Edman, He Leadeth Me (Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press, 1959), 20]

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The Will of God - There is no doubt that God has often brought a certain verse to the attention of one of His children in an unusual and almost miraculous manner, for a special need, but the Word was never intended to be consulted in a superstitious manner. - S. Maxwell Coder, God's Will for Your Life

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Robert Law on Mt 6:10 - Prayer is a mighty instrument, not for getting man’s will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done on earth.

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Andrew Murray - A readiness to believe every promise implicitly, to obey every command unhesitatingly, to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, is the only true spirit of Bible study.

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1 Peter 4:19 - Choose God’s Will - To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. Be merciful to God’s reputation. It is easy to blacken God’s character because God never answers back, He never vindicates Himself. Beware of the thought that Jesus needed sympathy in His earthly life; He refused sympathy from others because He knew far too wisely that no one on earth understood what He was going through. Notice God’s ‘waste’ of saints, according to the judgment of the world. God plants His saints in some of the most useless places. We say, ‘God intends me to be here because I am so useful.’ Jesus never estimated His life along the line of the greatest use. God puts His saints where they will glorify Him most, and we are no judges at all of where that is. (Bible.org)

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AN ANCIENT CONFESSION: The Belgic Confession of Faith (1561):

Article 7: We believe that [the] Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein ... Neither do we consider of equal value any writings of men, however holy these men may have been, with those divine Scriptures nor ought we to consider custom or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God ... Therefore, we reject with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule which the apostles have taught us, saying, Try the spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house. (Click full confession)

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Epaphras Passionate Prayer - Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (Col 4:12+) - 

But what does this mean practically to be fully assured in all the will of God? Why was this one of Epaphras' goals in prayer for the Colossian saints? 

Warren Wiersbe gives an excellent answer

“Full assurance in the will of God”is a tremendous blessing! It is not necessary for the believer to drift in life. He can know God’s will and enjoy it. As he learns God’s will and lives it, he matures in the faith and experiences God’s fullness." (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

If Satan can make you ignorant of God’s will, he will rob you of all the glorious blessings God has planned for your life. You will make bad decisions, get involved in sinful activities, and build the wrong kind of life. And, sad to say, you will influence others to go wrong! In my ministry of the Word in many places, I have seen the tragic consequences of lives out of the will of God. (See quote found in first 22 pages of Wiersbe's book The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him)

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The great Puritan writer Thomas Watson listed the following principles to invoke in order to rightly discern God's will asking "How shall we do God’s will aright?"

(1) Get sound knowledge. We must know his will before we can do it; knowledge is the eye to direct the foot of obedience. The Papists make ignorance the mother of devotion; but Christ makes ignorance the mother of error. ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ Mt. 22:29. We must know God’s will before we can do it aright. Affection without knowledge, is like a horse full of mettle, but his eyes are out.

(2) If we would do God’s will aright, let us labor for self denial. Unless we deny our own will, we shall never do God’s will. His will and ours are like the wind and tide when they are contrary. He wills one thing, we will another; he calls us to be crucified to the world, by nature we love the world; he calls us to forgive our enemies, by nature we bear malice in our hearts. His will and ours are contrary, and till we can cross our own will, we shall never fulfil his.

(3) Let us get humble hearts. Pride is the spring of disobedience. ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice?’ Ex 5:2. A proud man thinks it below him to stoop to God’s will. Be humble. The humble son says, Lord what will you have me to do?’ He puts, as it were, a blank paper into God hand; and bids him write what he will, and he will subscribe to it.

(4) Beg grace and strength of God to do his will. ‘Teach me to do thy will:’ as if David had said, Lord, I need not be taught to do my own will, I can do it fast enough, but teach me to do thy will. Psalm 143:10 (Spurgeon). And that which may add wings to prayer, is God’s gracious promise, ‘I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.’ Ezekiel 36:27. If the lodestone draw the iron, it is not hard for the iron to move: if God’s Spirit enable, it will not be hard, but rather delightful to do God’s will.

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John Piper writes that "Thy will be done" in Mt 6:10 - On the personal level that must mean, "Father, please cause me to obey your will the way the angels obey it in heaven. (Psalm 103:21, "Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will!") Help me to do your will flawlessly and to do it with the same fervency and undivided devotion that they have. Make my obedience a heavenly obedience." But on the worldwide level the meaning is far greater. In heaven there is nothing but obedience to the will of God. So when we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we are praying that the earth would be filled only with people who do the will of God the way the angels do it in heaven. In other words we are praying for the kingdom to come. We are praying that the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). We are praying that the cause of world missions would so prosper in our day that all the ransomed from every tribe and tongue and people and nation would be reached and gathered in, and the King would come. For whom are we praying when we pray, "Hallowed by thy name"? For the unreached peoples of the earth and for ourselves that God would use us to reach them. (Matthew 6:5-15: Hallowed Be Thy Name)

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Romans 12:1-5 Knowing God’s Will  - Here is an excerpt from Brian Bill's message...

An older lady came out on her porch every morning, and would raise her arms to the sky and shout,“Praise the Lord.” One day an atheist moved next door and over time he became very irritated with this worshipping woman. So every morning after he heard her exclamation of praise, he would shout out,“There is no Lord!” This went on for several months, then one morning in the middle of winter the lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted, “Praise the Lord! Lord, please reveal your will to me because I have no food and I’m starving. Please provide for me, O Lord!” The next morning, when she came out on her porch there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there.“Praise the Lord!” she cried out. “He has provided groceries for me!” Just then the atheist jumped out of the bushes and shouted, “There is no Lord. I bought those groceries!” Without skipping a beat, the lady threw her arms in the air and shouted, “Praise the Lord! He has provided me with groceries and He made the devil pay for them!”

We’ve all asked questions like these at one time or another: How can I know God’s will? Is He really interested in me as an individual? Is there a master plan for my life? We’re beginning a six-part series that we’re calling “Living Life on Purpose” and our topic today is “Knowing God’s Will” from Romans 12. One of my classmates from my Bible College days posted something on Facebook this week that caught my attention: “If I could give a Christian only one chapter to live by it would be Romans 12.”

Please turn in your Bibles to the twelfth chapter of Romans where I want us to notice the very first word in verse 1: “Therefore….” Whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible you should always ask what it’s there for. When we come to this chapter, Paul is making a shift from doctrine to duty, from creed to conduct, from principles to practice, and from beliefs to behavior. We must not only know, we must grow and instead of just filling our heads, God’s Word must also affect our attitudes and actions. It’s as if he’s saying, “Based on everything that I’ve just said, this is what you now need to put into practice.”

I love what Martin Luther said about this book that literally changed his life and became the rallying cry for the Reformation:

Romans is the chief part of the New Testament, and the very purest gospel, which, indeed, deserves that a Christian not only know it word for word by heart but deal with it daily as with daily bread of the soul. For it can never be read or considered too much or too well, and the more it is handled, the more delightful it becomes, and the better it tastes.” (Click for Pastor Bill's full sermon on Knowing God’s Will)

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The Will of God
by Robert Neighbour 
(from "Sermons and Bible Studies")

Epaphras was a man who prayed. He did not pray as men usually pray, loungingly and lazily and leisurely. The Bible says he labored fervently in prayer (Col 4:12+). It is said that David Brainerd, who wrought so faithfully among the Indians of this country, years ago, was accustomed to pray out in the snow, in such an agony of petition, that great drops of sweat stood upon his brow. We need to pray as Epaphras prayed, and as Brainerd prayed. It is to be noted also, that Epaphras prayed always, continuously. Prayer, to this man of God, was not a mountain peak here and another mountain peak far away, with a valley of prayerlessness lying between. He prayed without ceasing (cp 1 Thess 5:17+). Again, we notice that Epaphras was definite in his prayers: He prayed, laboring fervently; He prayed that the saints at Colosse might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Col 4:12+) The theme of the prayer of Epaphras is the theme of our study. We trust that a great blessing will be received as we study together the supreme passion of the heart of the man whose chief asset was his prayer life.

The Will of God Our Chief Aim

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1Sa 15:22).

There is nothing more important for a Christian,
than to find out the will of God in his life.
To seek the will of God is certainly a holy ambition.

Jesus Christ said, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the Book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will". (Hebrews 10:7+) We, too, should delight in His will. Christ said, "Mine ears hast Thou opened", or "bored". (Ps 40:6KJV) The words suggest that Jesus Christ was the yielded bond slave of the Father. We too should be His bond slaves.

Does it seem too much to us, that God has a plan for every life? A definite purpose? A revealed will?

Does not the architect present to the builders a plan? Must not the building be erected according to specifications?

God has a distinct purpose for every life: because He says: "To every man his work". (Mark 13:34KJV) The believer should constantly seek to know that purpose, and to fulfill it. To miss God's plan will be fatal to ourselves, and it will be fatal to all with whom we have to do.

Illustration: Recently, in crossing Lake Michigan, at night, we stood at the prow of the ship, looking over the dark waters; we knew not the direction in which we were going. There was no star visible, to give us aid. The night was cold, and dark; yet, we had no fear, for just above us, and behind, was one who held his hand upon the wheel. We knew he would bring us safe to port.

And God knows; He leads the way; He holds our hand; He has everything afore prepared. The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord. He will guide us with his eye.

Illustration: It is said that when the Brooklyn bridge was building, the architect received an injury which laid him up for many months.
From his bed he gave instructions to the builders. Finally, when the work was completed, he was carried out on a cot, to view the bridge. After he had examined it in every detail, his eye lighted up with gladness, and, clapping his hands, he cried, "It is just according to the plan."

We too, should be able, when our life's task is completed, to say, "We have finished the work which He gave us to do; it is just according to His plan."

   "Thy will, O Lord, not mine, teach me to say;
   Not my will, Lord, but Thine, I would obey;
      Then shall I know the joy,
      And Thy Name glorify,
   When I, on earth, shall try to follow Thee.

   "My weakness, Lord, I own, from day to day;
   I listen for Thy voice to lead the way;
      Oh, wilt Thou send the light
      To make my pathway bright,
   And show me what is right, the only way.

   "I cannot see just where the Spirit leads,
   But know that Christ is there, who intercedes;
      Oh, help me now to rest
      On Jesus' loving breast,
   Till He shall manifest His love in me!"

Standing in the Will of God

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth" (John 16:13).

In order to stand in the will of God, we must first lay down all plans of our own.

Illustration: It is said that once the Emperor William of Germany, rushed upon the captain aboard his own imperial ship and commanded full speed ahead. The captain was going at half speed because of dangerous shoals. Full speed would endanger the safety of all aboard. The captain therefore refused his Emperor's demands. The Emperor, in irritation, rang the bell, giving orders to the engineer below for full speed. Immediately, the captain reversed the Emperor's orders and demanded that he be left alone in the running of the boat. The captain in reality was only refusing to run the risk of the life of his Emperor. He fully expected to be dismissed when shore was reached. Instead, he was commended and promoted.

Whether this is true, I do not know, but one thing I know,—we must keep our hands off the wheel. It is not ours to choose the path which we must follow. We must walk in the way of His choosing.

It is not in a man to direct his steps (Jer 10:23). We do not know what the future holds, nor do we know the enemies which may lurk in ambush,—but God knows it all. He knows and He cares, and we should stand in the will of God.

   "One step I see before me,
    'Tis all I need to know;
   For o'er each step of my onward way,
    He makes new light to glow."

Standing Perfect in the Will of God

"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" (Rom. 12:2+).

There are two ways in which we might speak of this word "perfect."

1. We want to stand in His perfect will. The Bible speaks of "the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Ro 12:2+). What we want is God's very best—His perfect will.

Jesus prayed "nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt". (Mt 26:39) Are we willing to go anywhere, to be anything, to pay any price, to get God's best in our life? So many are satisfied with His second choice. They want to be blessed, but they do not want the full blessing.

2. We want to stand perfectly and not half-heartedly in His will. We do not want to stand complainingly in His will. We want to say "Amen," that is, "the will of God be done." We also want to say, "Hallelujah," that is, "I am glad that the will of God is done."

In walking through life, when we put down one foot, let us always say "Amen," and when we put down the other foot, let us say "Hallelujah," and thus it will be "Amen, Hallelujah," all the time.

   "O Blessed life! the heart at rest,
    When all without tumultuous seems
    That trusts a higher will, and deems
   That higher will, not mine, the best.

   "O blessed life! heart, mind, and soul,
    From self-born aims and wishes free;
    In all, at one with Deity,
   And loyal to the Lord's control.

   "O life! how blessed, how Divine!
    High life, the earnest of a higher!
    Saviour, fulfil my deep desire,
   And let this blessed life be mine."

Standing Complete in the Will of God

"He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me" (John 14:21).

We should hold nothing back from God. We should have no reserve, no dread, no fear in following our Lord fully.
No matter where God leads, we must be willing to go.
If He tears up our nest, we will trust and not be afraid.
If He leads us into the place of quietude, where our life is not as loud as we might have planned; if He leads us into the place of suffering, where our life might not be as long as we had planned; if He leads us into the place of smaller things, where our life might not be as large as we had planned; still, let us rejoice and stand complete in His will.
It is only the life that does the will of God that abides forever.
It is only the life that works in Him down here that will receive His "well done" up there.

Who will go all the way with God?

   "Jesus, I my cross have taken,
    All to leave and follow Thee;
   Naken, poor, despised, forsaken,
    Thou, from hence, my all shalt be.

   "Perish every fond ambition,
    All I've sought, or hoped, or known,
   Yet how rich is my condition!
    God and Heaven are still my own."

Standing in All the Will of God

"I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4).

Certainly our Lord is the only one who has ever stood perfect and complete in all the will of God. Christ never once deviated from the Father's perfect plan. Therefore as He stood that day in the upper room with the Cross just ahead, and His earth life about completed, He could say, "I have finished the work". There was no task left uncompleted.

May our great aim be all of God's will. To miss the mark in one small item may bring disaster and dismay.
Let us go all the way with God. No tryst left unkept; no duty left undone.

There are three stages of experience with some—
1. There was the time when, in our sin, we had no room or place for God at all—It is thus expressed by the song:

   "Oh the bitter pain and sorrow,
    That the time could ever be,
   When I proudly said to Jesus,
    'All of self and none of Thee.'"

2. There came a time of conviction. We saw ourselves as lost, and we saw Christ as a Saviour, and yet we would not give up all and follow fully, and then we said:

   "Yet He found me; I beheld Him
    Bleeding on the accursed tree:
   Heard Him pray: 'Forgive them, Father!'
   And my wistful heart said faintly,
    'Some of self, and some of Thee!'"

3. There came a time, soon after, when we opened our hearts and received Christ, and then we sang:

   "Higher than the highest Heaven,
    Deeper than the deepest sea,
   Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;
   Grant me now my supplication—
    'None of self, and ALL of Thee!'"

Now since we are saved may it always be, "all of Thee." We must earnestly seek to stand "perfect and complete in all the Will of God."

Doing God's Will by Robert Neighbour - "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven" (Matt. 7:21+).

1. It is the will of God to save us out of this present evil age (Gal. 1:4). God wants us to be a people separate unto Him.

2. It is the will of God that we should be sanctified, for "this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1Thess. 4:3+).

God wants His children to be clean and free from stain. God wants His children to be yielded, separated unto Him; dedicated unto His service.

3. It is the will of God that we should give thanks in everything (1Thess. 5:18+). God wants us to praise Him for our disappointments, and to spell disappointment with a capital "H" instead of a little "d."

4. It is the will of God that we should be placed as sons (Eph. 1:5+). This is the will that looks on into the future. We are His sons by birth; we shall receive our blessing and our inheritance, by and by. This is the will of God.

5. It is the will of God that we should be with Christ where He is (John 17:24).
Certainly in all these things, every true believer desires to stand perfect and complete.

   "Through me, Thou gentle Master,
    Thy purposes fulfill
   I yield myself for ever
    To Thy most holy will.
   What though I be but weakness,
    My strength is not in me;
   The poorest of Thy people
    Has all things, having Thee."

How May We Ascertain God's Will?

"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" (Rom. 12:1, 2).

1. We must know His Word. David said, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee". He also said, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". To stand perfect and complete in the will of God, we should never do anything contrary to His Word. We should seek to know what the Word says on every salient point.

2. We should not be conformed to this world. If we are to know the will of God, we must keep our ears closed to the calls of the world.
The words and thoughts of the world are as far from the words and thoughts of God, as the heavens are far above the earth, as the east is far from the west. If we would know His will, we must "be not conformed" to the world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.

3. If we are to know the will of God, we must be taught by His Spirit. Jesus Christ was led of the Spirit, and we, too, may be led of the Spirit. We will know His leadings, by the still, small, inaudible voice within. We will also be assured that we have the leadings of the Spirit, when, in the performance of His will, we have rest of mind and are established in our hearts.

4. If we should know the will of God, we must pray as Epaphras prayed. Habakkuk 2:1 says: "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me". We will never know the will of God in those things not specifically set forth in the Bible, unless we labor in prayer.

5. If we should know the will of God, we must weigh every "open door" in the light of what has just been said. It is true that many doors may open which are not of God. Jonah found a ship going to Tarshish, as he supposed, but in reality, it led him to a whale's belly. We must be careful to know that the open door is in the line of duty and not in the pattern of disobedience.

6. If we would know the will of God, we must be quick to obey when He speaks. Hosea 6:3: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord". The man who hears God's commission, and delays obedience, will be in danger of getting into the midst of doubts. It is when we do His will, not when we discuss it; that we know of the doctrine (John 7:17).

When God spoke, Abraham obeyed.
When God spoke, Philip arose and went into the way to Gaza, which was desert.
When God spoke, Paul immediately obeyed. He was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision.
If we would know His will, we must pursue promptly each command He gives.

 

Bible Answer:

The will of God includes everything that God desires or wishes to happen in heaven and on earth. As a result, He has planned what He wishes to occur. For example, in the first part of the Lord’s Prayer, found in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray, then, in this way:
“Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven . . .”
Matthew 6:9-10 (NASB)

The word for “will” is thelma. The word means “what one wishes or has determined will happen.”[1]  That is, we are to want God to have His wish, His will and His plans fulfilled. That is, your life and plans should agree with His.

Illustration of God’s Will

When some people think about the will of God, they fear that God has decided every little detail of their life. But that is not true. He has not already decided everything in your life. But God does control many aspects of our lives. He gives us a lot of freedom, but He has also constrained us (Acts 16:6-10). God’s will is like a road. He does not care if you walk on the right side, the left side or down the middle. He does not care if you jump, skip, jog, or walk fast down the road. He does not care if you sing or if you are silent. But He does care if you leave the road. He wants you to always stay on the road. Each of us has a different road to travel. The road is God’s will for your life. The road will turn and twist, but His plan will be accomplished.

Determining God’s Will For Your Life

What is the will of God for your life? What are the boundaries of the road? They are shown in the table below. These are the five known “wills of God” that are given in His Word.

Be sexually pure	1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Be filled with the Holy Spirit	Ephesians 5:17-18
Understand that believers will suffer	1 Peter 4:19
Give thanks always	1 Thessalonians 5:18
Submit to your government	1 Peter 2:13-15

If we want to know His will for our lives, we must start with what we know is His will. We must want His will to be done. Then God gives us this promise in Psalms 37:4. A study of this verse and the five known “wills of God” is explained in more detail in Seeking God’s Will. You will find it helpful in understanding the will of God more.

The Knowledge of His Will
What is the knowledge of God’s will? Psalm 103:7 has an interesting lesson to teach us. It says, “He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.” In other words, Israel saw what God was doing, but Moses understood why God was working.

In the Fall and Winter of 2016, my church experienced a season where God “pruned” our congregation. There were some families who left and it was difficult to go through the pruning process the Lord had for us. But do you know what kept me going during that painful season? In the first week of October 2016, the Lord told me He was about to prune my Church. God made known to me what He was doing and why He was going to allow this season.

Do you have a knowledge of what God is doing in your life right now? Are you seeking the Lord and asking Him to reveal His will to you? I have found in all my years of serving the Lord that He does not want me in the dark. Yes, there times I must walk by faith and not by sight, but even in those seasons of walking by faith, I can know the “ways of God” like Moses!

In All Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding
How do we grow in our knowledge of God’s will? Paul says it comes through “All spiritual wisdom and understanding.” This means that the “Knowledge” of God’s will is not just knowing a few simple facts.

Spiritual wisdom and understanding is the ability to apply Biblical principles to your life. This is exclusively reserved for believers. People who halfheartedly follow Jesus cannot obtain this precious gift of, “Spiritual wisdom and understanding.” What Paul is describing is a deep, thorough knowledge of God’s will for our lives.

The only way to obtain this is through the study of God’s Word. As we learn more of God’s Word, we learn more of God’s will. They are inseparable. As God’s Word becomes more dominant in our lives, in our thinking, and in our feeling, then the will of God will come with it.

We have been given in the Word of God everything we need to know God’s will. Let me say that again. We have been given in the Word of God everything we need to know God’s will. Peter began his second epistle by writing:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

There it is. By His divine power through knowing Christ He has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. All we need to know to find and do God’s will has already been provided for us. Let us not make it more difficult than it has to be.

I want to quickly demonstrate today that finding God’s will is actually quite easy if we are hearing and doing the Word of God. In order to do that I will cover 6 points. These are 6 things that the Bible tells us about God’s will. In fact, it is as easy as looking for verses that tell us about the will of God. If we just read and obeyed those we would not have anything to worry about at all. And since we are talking about those who are saved, those who have repented of their sin and trusted Christ, then we will address specifically God’s will for His elect.

1. It is God’s will for His elect to be saved.

If we are saved then we have already started doing the will of God. For it is His will that His chosen ones be saved. That is why we are referred to as the elect in the first place. Salvation is God’s choice, not ours. He chose to love us. Regarding the doctrine of election, Spurgeon stated:

It is wonderful how Satan will plague many timid hearts with the doctrine of election. That doctrine, rightly understood, is full of comfort; but, distorted and misrepresented, it often appears to be a bolt to shut sinners out from mercy—the fact being that it shuts none out, but shuts tens of thousands in.

Grace is amazing not because God passes some over and leaves them to the wages of their sin. Grace is amazing because God has saved some! And none of those He saves deserves or can earn that salvation. It is a wonder He has saved any at all.

To be sure that the choice is His, let us not forget Romans 9:10-12:

And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”

Romans 8:28-30 tells us further about God’s will in saving His people:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

He called us according to His purposes, He foreknew us, that is He knew us and loved us and chose to save us before we were even born not based on anything but His gracious choice. So we understand that if we are saved we are participating in God’s will.

2. It is God’s will for His elect to be Spirit filled.

The Scriptures make it plain that it is God’s will for those of who are saved to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. We are not to quench or grieve Him but are instead to be filled with Him and obedient to Him. Consider these verses and the point will have been made:

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. – Eph. 5:18

Do not quench the Spirit. – 1 Thess. 5:19

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. – Gal. 5:16

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Eph. 4:30

3. It is God’s will for His elect to be sanctified.

We have been saved as a result of God’s choice and according to His will and plan we will be sanctified. We will be conformed to the image of Christ through the Word taught to us, meditated upon, and through chastening when we sin and fail to be like Christ.

Read these verses and see how clear this is:

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality – 1 Thess. 4:3

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son – Romans 8:29

4. It is God’s will for His elect to be submissive.

Submission is difficult! It goes against our fallen will. We do not like to submit to authority. But willingly deferring to the will of others is God’s will for us. We must learn to submit to those God directs us to submit to. Of course, above all we submit to Him. Listen to these verses:

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— – 1 Peter 2:13-15

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God – Ephesians 5:17-21

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. – Colossians 3:18

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Ephesians 6:1

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. – Hebrews 13:17

Therefore submit to God. – James 4:7

5. It is God’s will for His elect to suffer!

Here is a popular message. Maybe when people find these verses they tell themselves that God’s will is hard to find and elusive and so they have to work hard at finding it. The truth is, suffering is part of God’s plan for us. Through suffering He tries and proves our faith, He gives us patience, hope, more faith, wisdom, and assurance. And for those who doubt that it is God’s will for us to suffer, listen to the Word of God:

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. – 2 Tim 3:12

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. –
1 Peter 2:20 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. -1 Peter 4:19

And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. – 2 Corinthians 1:7

6. It is God’s will for His elect to be thankful.

As we have learned, it is God’s will for us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. He desires gratitude and humility. Plainly stated, God’s will is for us to be thankful no matter where we are, what we have, what we are doing, or hwo we think things are going!

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. – Ephesians 5:3-4

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thess. 5:18

There are other verses we could study, but suffice it to say that the Bible really is clear and precise – God has made His will known to us, so now it is up to us to do what He has told us to do. As His elect it is His will that we be saved, Spirit filled, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and thankful. Study the Word for yourself and see if there are other verses that make the will of the Lord plain. What is it that He wants us and commands us to do? Find out. And then do what He wills!

A. To walk carefully, you must think carefully about how you will spend your life in this evil day.

This is Paul’s final use of the word “walk” in Ephesians (cf. 2:2, 10; 4:1, 17; 5:1, 8). “Walk” pictures our way of life, worked out in a daily, step-by-step process. In Paul’s day, people didn’t just walk for exercise. They walked to get to a destination. So to walk spiritually pictures steady progress toward a definite goal.

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“Look carefully” implies that if you are careless about how you walk, how you spend your time each day, you will not get through life without serious mishap. You will step on a mine or be attacked by the enemy or wander around hopelessly lost. The Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, giving themselves over to sensuality and greed (4:17-19). But Christians are not to walk in that manner. We must walk carefully, because the days are evil. Without deliberate carefulness, the evil that surrounds us will overwhelm us.

This is one reason that I urge you prayerfully to write out a one-sentence purpose statement for your life. It should describe what you think God wants you to be if you live to be 80. You should base it on biblically determined criteria. Then, underneath that purpose statement, write out some short-term goals that will move you toward your life purpose in each area (spiritual, relational, intellectual, moral, physical, financial, and vocational). Look at it often and readjust as necessary. If you just drift through life without thinking carefully about how to spend your time, you will not end up where God wants you to be.

B. To walk wisely, you must skillfully apply God’s Word to your life.

Paul draws the first of several contrasts, “not as unwise men, but as wise.” Wisdom is a huge theme in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, where Job, many of the Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are called, “wisdom literature.” The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for “wisdom” was “skill.” The wise man had the skill to live properly. At the root of wise living is the fear of the Lord: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10).

Thus the wise person lives in a godly, skillful manner, thus producing a beautiful finished product that brings glory to the Lord. The only way to accomplish this is to follow the divine plan, given to us in Scripture. Just as God gave Moses the plan for the tabernacle, and skillful men crafted the beautiful final product, so we must follow God’s directions if we want our lives to be beautiful for Him. The Bible tells us the godly character qualities that we need to develop. It warns us about the many temptations to sin that will harm or destroy us. It tells us how to determine our life-priorities so that we will make the best use of the years the Lord gives us. As Moses prayed (Ps. 90:12), “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

C. To use your time wisely, you must use every opportunity for the will of God.

“Making the most of your time” (5:16a) is literally, “redeeming the time.” To redeem means to buy back. The implication is that time is in bondage and that a price must be paid to buy it back. The Greek word here for “time” does not view time as extended, but rather time as opportunities. The idea is that God gives us choice moments to seize for His purposes. We must be alert to His purposes and ready to grab those opportunities, like a shrewd merchant sees an opportunity for a profit and grabs it. Redeeming the time has special reference (both here and in Col. 4:5) to Christian witness in the world (F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], pp. 378-379).

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For the unbeliever, life is in bondage to futility and meaninglessness (4:17-19). He goes through school, gets a job, starts a family, raises the family, retires from his job, and hopes that his health lasts long enough to cruise through all the national parks and take videos, or to catch a lot of fish. Then he dies. Throughout the process, he spends ten years of his life watching mindless TV shows. What’s the point? His time was in bondage to futility.

But the Christian can buy back those otherwise wasted hours and use the opportunities for eternal significance. He grabs every opportunity to grow to know Christ and be conformed to His image. He rears his children to know and follow Christ. He works to bring others to know Christ and grow in Him. He is a steward of his resources for God’s kingdom purposes, investing wisely in opportunities to further the gospel around the globe. By walking carefully in this evil world, he buys back opportunities for God’s kingdom purposes.

But, the word “redeem” implies that there is a cost. You must say no to certain secondary things in order to say yes to the crucial. You must say no to hours of TV or computer games in order to say yes to reading and studying God’s Word. You must say no to selfish activities that pull you away from God’s kingdom purposes. You must say no to certain ways of squandering your money on worldly pursuits in order to say yes to eternal riches. To walk carefully, you must use your time wisely.

2. To walk carefully, you must understand the will of the Lord (5:17).

Paul continues with another contrast, “So then [because the days are evil] do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” The will of the Lord is the navigation chart that tells us where we’re going and how to get there. Just as it would be foolish beyond imagination to put out to sea with no idea of where you’re going or how to get there, the same is true in life. When I was in the Coast Guard, there was one crucial question you asked when you took over the helm: “What course are you steering?” The captain determined the course. If he said, “Steer at 280, I wasn’t free to steer at 180!” My job was to keep the boat headed at 280, against the wind and currents that would have pulled us off course.

The Lord wants you to understand His will so that you can keep your life on course. Verse 17 isn’t talking primarily about whether you go to this or that school or take this or that job. Rather, in the context of Ephesians the will of the Lord refers to something much bigger.

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A. You must understand the will of the Lord, which involves His ultimate purpose for creation.

To understand means to grasp with the mind, which implies some effort on your part. The Lord’s will is revealed in His Word and Paul has mentioned it several times in Ephesians. He began the book (1:1) by referring to himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” He goes on to say (1:5) that God “predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” He said (1:9) that God “made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.” And, he said (1:11) that “we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

In short, God’s will relates to His eternal purpose to be glorified by summing up all things in Christ. He does this by saving His elect (Jews and Gentiles) and bringing both groups together as one in His dwelling place, the church, which manifests His wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (3:10). You must work to grasp that purpose with your mind so that you can live your life in line with it.

B. You must apply the will of the Lord to your life.

In other words, you must live daily in light of God’s purpose to be glorified in Christ through His church as that church grows in holiness to become His pure and spotless bride (5:27). This entails several things:

*You must submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ over all your life. You will not glorify Him if you reserve certain areas of your life to do as you please. Rather, you must learn what is pleasing to Him (5:10) and live accordingly, seeking to glorify Him in every thought, attitude, word, and deed.

*You must be committed to Christ’s church. If God is working out His eternal purpose through the church, then His people must be committed to the church. To be casual in your connection to the church is not to be committed to what God is committed to.

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*You must be committed to harmony with other believers in the church and in your home. God’s will involves bringing these two formerly diverse, hostile groups, Jew and Gentile, together as one in the church under Christ’s headship (2:11-22). Through this means, He displays His glory to the angelic hosts (3:10). Therefore, we must labor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4:3). And, we must live in harmony as husbands and wives, because marriage ultimately concerns Christ and the church (5:32).

*You must be committed to God’s glory in the world. The will of the Lord through His church includes bringing the gospel to the lost so that they may be saved and incorporated into the church. In that way, His glory is manifested all over the earth, as former rebels are reconciled to God and to one another through the cross.

If you’re just living to get a good job, pay the bills, and enjoy selfish pursuits, with an occasional trip to church when it doesn’t interfere with your entertainment program, Paul calls you foolish. To walk carefully in this evil world, you must not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is and apply it to how you live each day.

Thus, to walk carefully in this evil day, you must use your time wisely and understand the will of the Lord. Thirdly,

3. To walk carefully, you must be filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18-21).

Paul gives another contrast (5:18), “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Grammatically, this is followed by five participles that show the results of being filled with the Spirit: speaking, singing, making melody, giving thanks, and being subject to one another. The first and the last relate to our behavior towards one another. The second, third, and fourth relate to our behavior towards the Lord. The last participle also serves to introduce and govern the section on relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and slaves and masters (5:22-6:9). I will go into more detail in future messages, but for now I can only skim over things.

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A. To be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Spirit (5:18).

Why does Paul somewhat abruptly interject the subject of drunkenness at this point? There are probably two main reasons (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Life in the Spirit [Baker], p. 12): First, drunkenness and debauchery were characteristic of the futile, sensual lives from which the Ephesians had been saved and in which their contemporaries still lived. Paul is drawing a marked contrast between the old way of life and the new.

Second, he uses the analogy of wine and drunkenness to show that while there is a great contrast between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit, there are also many similarities. Even as one filled with wine is under its influence, so the Christian should be under the control or influence of the Holy Spirit. Briefly, note two things about being filled with the Spirit:

(1). Being filled with the Spirit is ongoing and repeated.

The verb tense indicates, “Be continually filled.” As you study the examples in the New Testament, you learn that godly men were filled on more than one occasion (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52). The filling of the Spirit must be distinguished from the baptism of the Spirit. After the Day of Pentecost, the baptism of the Spirit is a one-time action that takes place at the moment you are saved, when you receive the Holy Spirit and are placed into the body of Christ (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:2, 5). Contrary to what many say, the baptism of the Spirit is not an experience subsequent to salvation that you are to seek. It is not an experience; it is a fact.

But the filling of the Spirit is a repeated experience that empowers us for godliness and service. It is essentially the same thing as walking by means of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), which gives us victory over the flesh and produces the fruit of the Spirit in us. It should be the normative daily experience of every Christian.

(2). Being filled with the Spirit is commanded.

We are never commanded to be baptized with the Spirit, but we are commanded to be filled. We should take the positive command to be filled with the Spirit just as seriously as we take the negative command not to be drunk. If you are not being filled with the Spirit as an ongoing experience, you are disobeying God!

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You ask, “How do I get filled with the Spirit?” To be filled with wine, you give yourself over to the wine and keep drinking. To be filled with the Spirit, yield yourself completely to Him and keep doing it! If being filled means being controlled, you must continually yield the control of your life to the Holy Spirit. When you realize that you’ve taken control again, confess that sin to God and yield again to the Spirit. If the Spirit reveals an area where you’re not yielding to Him, yield it instantly and ask Him to fill you. And, keep walking that way.

You may wonder, “How do you know if you’re filled with the Spirit?” Are you aware of some sin that you’re harboring in your heart? No. Are you consciously yielding control of your life to the Holy Spirit? Yes. Are you seeking His fullness by drinking in His Word and asking Him to conform you to the image of Christ? Yes. Then you must trust that He is filling you. But, don’t be complacent about it. Keep seeking Him for a greater manifestation of His fullness in your life. Paul here gives three results of being filled:

B. To be filled with the Spirit results in singing, thankfulness, and proper submission in our relationships (5:19-21).

I only have time to list these now, so we will come back to them in future messages. The participles here indicate the results of being filled by the Spirit (O’Brien, pp. 387-388). These may not be what we would have expected. We might have expected bold witness or speaking in tongues or miracles or something more dramatic. But Paul lists singing, thankfulness, and mutual submission.

The singing is two-dimensional: we instruct one another (Col. 3:16) and we make melody in our hearts to the Lord. The three different terms for songs indicate variety. Singing with our heartsto the Lord infers at least a measure of exuberance and joy.

Thankfulness is the opposite of grumbling and complaining. A thankful heart bows before God’s sovereign goodness in all things, even when we may not be able to understand His immediate purpose (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20).

“Being subject to one another in the fear of Christ” raises all sorts of issues in this day of “evangelical feminism,” which maintains that this does away with all gender distinctions in the church and home. You’ll have to wait a few weeks until I can explain this in more detail. But for now I will say that it clearly does not mean that, since verse 24 instructs wives to be subject to their husbands, just as the church is to Christ (and Heb. 13:17 tells the church to obey its leaders and submit to them).

Rather, while not doing away with proper spheres of authority, “being subject to one another in the fear of Christ” means that we all must set aside our rights and serve one another in love. Christ had a right to remain in glory in heaven, but He willingly laid aside that right, took on the form of a servant, and was obedient even to death on the cross (Phil. 2:5-8). Even so, out of reverence for Him, we should have that same attitude, submitting ourselves to one another as we outdo one another in love.

Conclusion

Are you walking carefully in this evil world by using your time wisely for eternity, by understanding God’s will for the ages, and by being filled with the Holy Spirit? Do you see the results of the Spirit’s filling in joyous singing, a thankful heart, and in submitting yourself to serve others in love?

If you’re not walking carefully, you’re living dangerously! You’re adrift without rudder or power in dangerous waters! You’re wandering aimlessly in a minefield! Confess to the Lord your carelessness and coldness of heart. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. Commit to get into His Word regularly. Otherwise, you risk spiritual shipwreck!

Application Questions

1. Does “redeeming the time” imply that every Christian must devote every spare minute to serving the Lord? How do we determine the balance between leisure and service?
2. How can we learn to be alert for the opportunities that God brings our way?
3. Practically, why is it important for every believer (not just theologians) to understand the big picture of God’s will for the ages?
4. Some claim that the main sign of being filled with the Spirit is speaking in tongues. How would you respond to this biblically?

He tells us to not be foolish and to understand what the Lord’s will is. The foolish person has no strategy for life and misses opportunities to live for God in an evil environment. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Col 4:5) The foolish not only miss opportunities to make wise use of time; they have a more fundamental problem: They do not understand what God’s purposes are for humankind and for Christians. God’s purposes are a basic theme in Ephesians (see Eph 1:3-10). If we are to walk in wisdom then we must understand what pleases the Lord and what His will is for us. 

The first thing the wise will do is listen to the Lord. Whenever He finished many stories Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” The fool despises wisdom and godly instruction. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) As the Word of God is profitable for instruction in righteousness, the foolish won’t read His Word and apply it to their lives. However, the wise will so they can understand God’s will. The foolish (in their pride) believe they are self-sufficient. With this pride comes an insatiable desire to satisfy self, because self is always right and self should always get what self wants. “When pride comes, then comes shame. But with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

The truth of the Christian life is that it is not about self-fulfillment but about crucifying self. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) Walking in wisdom is about dying to self and selfish ambitions, and seeking our esteem in the Lord, not ourselves.

The truth is that all of the Law and Prophets are built upon two great laws. Those are to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). The unwise cannot do this for they are consumed with pleasing self and living for self. There is no room for ministering to, serving, or encouraging a neighbor. When we chose to indulge self instead of denying self, we place our will over God’s. With our actions, we are declaring that we are right and God is wrong. We are unwise every time we choose our will over His.

Wisdom can only be found from God through His Word. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) There is no other source of godly wisdom. And the first and most serious error made by those who are unwise, is the seeking of wisdom from anywhere or anyone else.

In the Word of God, we have been given everything we need to know God’s will. “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:2-4)

1. It is God’s will for His elect to be saved. Salvation is God’s choice (His purposes). He chose to love us and save us before we were even born, not based on anything we deserved, but by His grace. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30) If we are saved we are participating in God’s will.

2. It is God’s will for His elect to be Spirit filled. The Scriptures make it plain that it is God’s will for those of who are saved to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. We are not to quench or grieve Him but are instead to be filled with Him and obedient to Him. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) And in being filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to glorify Him in thanksgiving. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph 5:18-20)

3. It is God’s will for His elect to be sanctified. We have been saved as a result of God’s gift of grace, and according to His will and plan we will be sanctified (made holy). We will be conformed to the image of Christ through the Word taught to us, meditated upon, and through chastening when we sin and fail to be like Christ. “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29a)

4. It is God’s will for His elect to be submissive. Above all we are to submit to Him. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Submission is difficult, and goes against our fallen will. Willingly deferring to the will of authority is God’s will for us. “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. (1 Peter 2:13-15) 

5. It is God’s will for His elect to be humble: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) When we are humble, we let go of our pride. “But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'” (James 4:6)

6. It is God’s will for His elect to be thankful. It is God’s will for us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) He desires gratitude and humility. Plainly stated, God’s will is for us to be thankful no matter where we are, what we have, what we are doing, or how we think things are going!

God has made His will known to us, so now it is up to us to do what He has told us to do. As His elect, it is His will that we be saved, Spirit filled, sanctified, submissive, humbled, and thankful. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” and then do what He wills!

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

From Scripture’s verbal retellings to being written in Aramaic, then Hebrew, then Greek, then every other language on earth, somewhere along the way the meanings of certain words have been lost in translation. It makes sense. It’s like playing telephone for over 2,000 years ̶ somehow something is going to be misinterpreted by us twenty-first-century readers.

Another problem is that much of the terminology was written for an audience that’s long gone. As an example, many of Jesus’ parables are commonly misunderstood today simply because we’re not familiar with the vocabulary of His time. Those who heard Jesus speak back then understood Him completely. But for us, not so much.

Another example of confusing terminology in the Bible is Psalm 23. In verse four, the psalmist writes about the Lord’s staff and rod. He claims they are a comfort to him, and he’s right. Here’s how.

The Staff

The staff the psalmist (very likely King David) refers to can have several meanings depending on how it’s used. In Old Testament times, the staff could be a scepter, walking stick, crutch, or some kind of support or prop. For Psalm 23, the staff is two different things.

A Staff Gives Rest. Psalm 23 starts right off with equating the Lord with a shepherd (“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”). So, we know immediately we’re talking about shepherding tools. A shepherd might use a staff as something to lean on in case the ground is not dry or safe for sitting or for support when he needed rest during long shifts tending the sheep.

For us today, the staff serves as a symbol that we too can find rest when we lean on the Lord. When we lean into Him, He’ll lean into us. He is both the shepherd and the staff supplying all the rest we need when we lean on Him.

The Staff is Our Rescue. God also uses His staff to rescue us from difficult or dangerous situations. In the field, a shepherd would use the curly end of the staff to pull a sheep out of thick brush or to lift it if it happened to fall or was injured. God rescues us the same way. Any time we experience trouble (and He told us we would have them), He promises to be right there to save you from the evil one and lead you to safety.

The Staff is a Guide. The staff was also used to guide sheep across open fields and along rocky hillsides. It was a handy tool for making sure they stay on track. Though the shepherd might need to leave the 99 to find the one, he would much rather keep the flock together.

The Lord’s staff still guides us today in every area of our lives. Look back a few lines in Psalm 23 to verses two and three which say, “He leads me beside the still waters…He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” The staff leads us to places where we can find peace and restoration amid the chaos in our lives, both day-to-day and in the long seasons. The staff also leads us on the paths where we should be so we can make better choices for ourselves and our families.

Our decision-making abilities and Christ-like behaviors are all dependent on God’s staff. Without it, we would never find rest, feel peace, or know if we’re heading in the right direction.

The Rod

The rod is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted words in the entire Bible. It is often used by many parents to justify their use of spanking. That’s a topic for another time, but let me point out that is not what God meant by “rod.” It is not a tool for correction or discipline, it’s a tool of protection and a symbol of love.

The Rod is Our Protection. The rod was used to defend the sheep against predators. Since sheep aren’t very smart, it was up to the shepherd to adequately defend his flock, so a nice hard rod made for a solid weapon against any enemies. In this way, the rod is a symbol of God’s protection. He goes before you to defend you from your enemies.

As a Symbol of Love. Another purpose for the rod is one I didn’t expect. I will warn you that I can’t prove what I learned is true, but it makes good sense to me, so I’m passing it on to you. Apparently, most shepherds used their rods as a means of counting their sheep.

In Leviticus 27:32, a rod was used by the priests to count the tithe. Shepherds used this same methodology to count their flock. The shepherd would hold out the rod and have all the sheep pass under it one at a time, counting each animal as it passed. Keeping count was extremely important since they were traveling the countryside so extensively. If you’ve every chaperoned a school field trip, you know what I mean. It’s super important to make sure you have an accurate head count at all times, or else madness ensues.

What does counting mean for believers? It means God lovingly acknowledges us, He counts us as His own, as a part of His family when we pass under His rod. He offers us assurance of His continual presence, protection, and attention when we follow Him wherever He leads us. So, passing under His rod is not a method of discipline or correction but rather a source of great comfort and faithful love.

In His Gentle Hands

When we read all of Psalm 23, we instantly get the gist of it even if we don’t understand the first-century vocabulary. The entire Psalm illustrates God’s unrelenting love for us and how He shows us that love.

Verse four, in particular, should stand out to us. Knowing more about the shepherd’s tools and how they are used should give us great hope and encouragement no matter what our circumstances may be.

The staff and the rod are a part of the same tool, both working together in God’s gentle hands to remind us of His everlasting faithfulness and love. As children of God, we can take a deep breath knowing He is always with us, always protecting us, always guiding us, and always offering us a place of peace and rest.

If you have a living faith, it will not flatline with the knowledge of God. “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him… increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

The more knowledge you have of God, the more you will fear Him. “that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever” (Joshua 4:24).

We must fear the Lord before He can teach us. “Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses” (Psalm 25:12).

When you fear God, you will come to know God. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5).

If you know God, it will show. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Don’t let religion hinder your faith. “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

The more you know in advance, the less you will suffer the consequences afterward. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6).

Fearing the Lord acknowledges His power over you. Knowing the Lord realizes His great love for you. With God, fear and love go together. “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him…” (Deuteronomy 10:12).

The unbeliever does not fear God but turns their back on Him. God said, “…you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you…” (Jeremiah 2:19).

Fear men less, and fear God more. Jesus taught, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

The problem today is people water down the idea of fearing the Lord by trying to lessen what the word fear really means. Fear means fear. “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments” (Psalm 119:120).

Fear of the Lord is the key that unlocks the secrets of heaven. “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him…” (Psalm 25:14).

You cannot be holy apart from fear of the Lord. “…by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).

Blessings to you,

Paul Balius

All Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version. Please use the version you prefer to review the verses shown here. The best version is the one you read. An even better version is the one you live.

Here are three ways the Bible speaks about the will of God:

Category #1: God’s Sovereign Will

God chooses and orders all that has and ever will take place (examples: Ephesians 1:11; Acts 4:28). 

Category #2: God’s Moral Will

God has communicated his standard for right and wrong based upon his own holy and righteous character (example: Exodus 20:1-17).

Category #3: God’s Permissive Will

Because sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God currently allows certain things to take place in this world that he would not allow in a sinless world (example: Acts 14:16). God, of course, is using it all to further his ultimate purposes. 

Obviously, category #1, God’s sovereign will (by which he determines everything that takes place), is not relevant to the discussion of 1 John 5:14-15 since we are not privy to the secret counsel of God. But either or both categories #2 or #3 could play a part in what it means to pray according to God’s will. Praying “according to the will of God” in 1 John 5:14-15, I believe, is praying according to God’s intended action, which could be either his moral will (category #2) or his permissive will (category #3).

When our friend connected praying according to God’s will with asking God to stop a divorce, she was viewing the “according to his will” in 1 John 5 as equivalent to category #2 above—the moral will of God. The logical conclusion she drew from that connection was that she should be able to pray confidently against a divorce—and God should answer it—since she was praying according to a moral precept clearly stated in the Bible. But she wasn’t factoring in the possibility that God’s permissive will might also be at work (category #3).

Actually, praying against an impending divorce may provide a helpful case study illustrating the difference between the moral will of God (category #2) and the permissive will of God (category #3) since Jesus references both categories in his discussion of divorce in Matthew 19. Jesus begins by tying into the creation narrative in verses 4-5, thus reaffirming that God’s moral will is that people stay married and do not divorce. Jesus summarizes his comments about the moral will of God with, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (v. 6). This is a reaffirmation of God’s moral will (category #2) regarding divorce, that is, people who join together in marriage should not divorce.

But in the following verse, the Pharisees ask Jesus, “Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?” (v. 7) Jesus replies by connecting his answer with the permissive will of God (category #3), “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been this way.” (v. 8) God permitted divorce in certain instances—and still does, such as in cases involving sexual immorality (v. 9)—not because divorce is in accordance with his moral character, but because in a world that has been twisted by sin there are instances in which it is better to allow divorce than not.

How does this relate to praying for someone who is moving toward divorce? We can open up our hearts to the Lord and express to him how grieved we are that someone we really care about is seeking a divorce. But we cannot know with certainty that God will answer our prayer that a couple not follow through with a divorce based solely upon our knowledge that divorce is against the moral will of God (category #2). It could be that God’s permissive will (category #3) is at play. That is, God may allow a couple to divorce because he is working toward other purposes that are for his greatest glory and the couple’s greatest good, even if we cannot see it.

Hopefully, the reader has not gotten so distracted by my use of divorce as an illustration that he or she has forgotten that this little article is about praying according to the will of God. I used the example of divorce for two reasons: first, because it was the example our friend used with us, and second, because it shows that the praying “according to his will” in 1 John 5:14-15 is not in all cases identical to praying according to the moral will of God.

This means that although we should never pray for something that is against the moral will of God, we should give allowance in our prayers that God may have purposes he is seeking to accomplish by allowing people to continue in their willfulness and sin. It may be, as in the story of Joseph, that God will allow something that looks so terribly wrong in the moment to further his good longer-term intentions (Genesis 50:20). Remembering this might help us the next time we wonder what it means to pray according to the will of God.

God has shaped and prepared you to play a unique role in each step of your story. You have a destiny that will bring glory to God, share the grace of God, and extend the reign of God. Understanding your unique destiny starts with understanding what the Bible says about your purpose as one of God’s people.

Related: How to Understand the Bible and Study Scripture

Clarifying what the Bible says about your purpose helps you in three important ways:

• It declares why you exist. It captures the heart of why you are on this earth and why Jesus died for you.
• It defines your life—not in terms of what you think but what God thinks. It anchors your life in the character and call of God.
• It clarifies the non-negotiables. It identifies what never changes about who you are, regardless of circumstances.

Three steps for finding your purpose in the Bible

Here’s a three-step process you can follow to find your purpose according to Scripture.

1. Reflect on Scripture that is important to you.

List the Bible verses God uses to give your life focus, purpose, and direction. These are the verses that tell you who you are, what is important, and what you are called to do. They are probably the verses you turn to when you are confused, lost, or losing hope. They anchor your life.

• Note the reference or write out the verse or verses completely, whichever is most helpful for you.
• Paraphrase or summarize what each verse says to you.
• Explain why each verse or passage is important to you.
• Look for common themes.
• Reflect on how these verses generally function in your life (offer hope, give direction, bring correction, shape identity).

2. Reflect on Scripture about God's purposes.

Read these passages, and reflect on the insights they provide regarding the purpose for the life of a follower of Jesus:

Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Philippians 2:1-8: If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

Luke 9:46-48: An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.”

Philippians 3:8-11: More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

John 13:31-35: When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Colossians 3:2-17: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

John 15:1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

1 Peter 2:4-5: Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Ask yourself:

• Why do I exist?
• What does God say about a person’s greatest fulfillment?
• What does God intend as my response to God’s work of grace and salvation on my behalf?
• Where do I find my place in God’s story?

3. Identify your purpose based on Scripture.

Your biblical purpose isn’t a lengthy “to do” list of duties. It is an expression of why God created you. Draw on your reflections on Scripture and your answers to the questions from step 2 and write a statement that expresses your biblical purpose.

Tips for articulating your biblical purpose:

1. Keep it short.
2. Focus more on “being” than on “doing.” (Your purpose clarifies who God has shaped you to be. Understanding who God made you to be will prepare you to discover and pursue God’s visionfor your life.)
3. Use language that grips and energizes you.

Examples of biblical purpose statements

• “I live to bring glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through consistent worship, by my praise and in my life; to cultivate a life of intimacy with God; and to equip women and men for ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
• “The purpose of my life is to know God and hear his voice so I can live a life of servanthood and obedience; then I will be a God-defined person and a non-anxious presence in every situation.”
• “I exist to live in authentic intimacy with Jesus and let him shape my life in such a way that believers are encouraged and unbelievers are motivated to join me in the journey of discipleship.”

Are you living your purpose?

Find your calling from God and fulfill your purpose with the free Purposeful Living Handbook:

• Structured exercises with step-by-step instructions
• Guidance from Scripture
• Reflection questions and space to respond

Purposeful Living 

This article was adapted from Purposeful Living, a structured and biblically grounded process designed to help you find your calling from God.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Philippians 4:5b-7
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Cor 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Psalm 30:5b
Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Chronicles 16:9a
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Phil 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hosea 2:14-15
“Therefore I am now going to allure her;  I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

Matthew 7:24-25
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Davey Blackburn
Founder of Nothing is Wasted Ministries

Proverbs 2:5 says if we fear the Lord, we will find the knowledge of God. One verse later, Proverbs 2:6 tells us what we find is what God gives. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” In other words, the wisdom we need does not rise up from within us; it comes down from the wise God above as we seek him out. God offers his wisdom from his book for his people.

Proverbs 3:13-18 takes us further in to God’s wisdom.

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

 and the one who gets understanding,

14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

 and her profit better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels,

 and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

 in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

 and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

 those who hold her fast are called blessed. 

Verse 13 says the one who finds wisdom is blessed. Well, if we want that blessing, we need to understand what wisdom is.

Proverbs 1 gives some synonyms for wisdom. 

• Wisdom is related to instruction. That is, training, a hard-won aspect of our character, as endurance to an athlete.

• Wisdom is related to understanding, insight, and wise dealing: practical knowledge of what to do in the hard-to-understand aspects of life.

• Wisdom is learning or knowledge, which Proverbs 2:5 and 3:6 tell us isn’t merely about facts but about a Person, about God himself, from whom wisdom originates. 

So Proverbs shows that wisdom is more than a single thing—it’s a multitude of things that, together, define wisdom. We see this in the wise characters of our popular stories: Yoda, Dumbledore and Gandalf and so on. Why are they wise? Because they have a combination of all the necessary things: experience, knowledge, prudence, instruction, learning. 

Everyone else in the story seeks their wisdom. But as wise as they are, Jesus is clearly the wisest man the world has ever seen. Up until his coming, Solomon, the author of many of these Proverbs, was. But when Jesus came, he said, “One greater than Solomon is here.” And unlike finding Yoda, you don’t have to travel to a different planet to access his wisdom. He’s promised to be with us by his Spirit. So the wisdom we need is not something unobtainable. It’s part of the deal God made in Christ. When we know Christ, we get wisdom—and anyone willing to repent of their sin and trust Christ can get in on this.

Consider again chapter 3, verse 13: blessed is the one who finds wisdom. The Hebrew word for one is the generic word for man or human being. God’s wisdom is available to anyone willing to come to God. The New Testament author James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all.” There is no caveat in that: if any of you. Not if any of you super-smart people, any of you Ph.D.s. You—whoever you are, if you lack wisdom, ask God and he’ll give it. God does not make this too hard for us! You just have to be alive and open to God. You just have to pay attention to his teaching, to his gospel message, and wisdom flows down from heaven. And when it flows down, we realize that what we search for in so many other things is found in getting wisdom.

Consider verses 14-16. “For the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.”

God says compare wisdom with anything else you can get, and wisdom is better because wisdom helps us know what to do with what we get. You might think you need more money, but maybe you just need wisdom to know what to do with the money you have. Get wisdom, and you’ll make the amount of money right for you. Get money only, and you might miss out on both wisdom and money in the end. Remember, King Solomon wrote this. He wasn’t a poor man! He was one of the wealthiest kings in Israel’s history. He spared no expense on his life, but in the end, he realized the best thing he had was the wisdom he got from God. 

We in America live have more concentrated wealth than in just about any place in the history of the world. Many of us have jobs that pay well. We have houses full of comfortable things. We have cars that rarely break down. We have vacation spots we visit annually. But do we have wisdom? What’s fancy food on the table without laughter to enjoy it? What’s a nice house that isn’t a home? What’s a family without unity? What’s a retirement plan without a reason to live? All the world’s goods without wisdom is like the Dragon Smaug in Tolkien's The Hobbit: a cave full of treasure but sleeping on it alone! 

God offers a better way through wisdom in verses 17-18. “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” 

Wisdom keeps us from wasting our life on important but not ultimate things. What we need is not the weight of the world’s treasures but the lightness of God’s wisdom. We reach too low for “the good life.” God wants more for us than what this world can offer. He wants to free us from the chains of this world. That means God will ask us to give certain things up, not because he wants less for us, but because he wants far more for us. He wants pleasantness and peace of a good conscience before him, of a life well lived in his presence by his wisdom granted on terms of grace.

But gaining wisdom might not always feel like pleasantness and peace. But wisdom teaches us to look beyond our feelings. In fact, it helps to see the verses leading into this passage. Verses 11-12 show us that if we want God’s wisdom, it comes through his discipline. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”

Why does he tell us not to despise the Lord’s discipline? Because he knows we’re prone to despise it! Why? Because it’s hard! Who wants discipline? 

Every parent knows without discipline the child never grows up right. But with the proper discipline, the potential of the child is huge. We are to accept God’s discipline because it’s one channel through which God’s wisdom comes down to us. When he corrects us, we learn. When he reproves us, we grow. We tend to think of God’s discipline as his disappointment in us, but that’s not how the Bible presents it. The Bible says God’s discipline is his investment in us.

Wisdom teaches us that everything in our life is an investment in us from the good God above. He may take us through some really rough passages, but in every adventure, there is a bridge you don’t want to cross. And when you put your foot on the creaking board, and it sways a little more than you’d like but it holds you up, you realize the adventure God has for you is better than the one you dreamed up for yourself. It’s far more dangerous but far more exciting, and he’s leading you to something far more glorious than you ever imagined. He’s taking you from the silly life you’d live in foolishness to the full life you’ll live in wisdom. 

All you have to do to go on the journey to wisdom is say yes to God.  And when you do, when you say yes and follow him wherever he leads, you find that, ultimately, no matter what happens, his purposes for you are good because he’s your Father, and father’s don’t abandon their children, they invest in them. Sometimes the best gifts are ones we don’t think we need, and sometimes wisdom comes through things we’d rather not face. But he who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

God’s investment is his delight in you. Just think, if you feel under God’s discipline now, how much delight he must take in you.

This is an excerpt from a sermon on Proverbs 3 & 9 preached at Refuge Church Franklin.

Be still and know. Stop your striving and know Him as God. It’s not a passive thing. We don’t empty our minds like in Eastern religions. We are to know Him. We are to be still or silent and see His salvation (Ex. 14:14). We’re to know Him to see Him.

In our abiding in Christ, it’s our seeing Him before us. It’s our not taking matters into our own hands but letting Him work it out. We don’t need to prepare and plan for our future. We just need to know Him and sit back and allow Him to work out His salvation.

Can you resist taking matters into your own hands? Do you jump in to solve the problem, to make the plan?

Can you think to turn to God first instead of the handyman or your tool chest? Can you think to turn to God first instead of getting a snack when you are hungry?

Can you make a practice of going to Him first for each little thing? Then maybe when the big things come, you’ll know who your Savior is. Hint: it’s not you!

The law of the LORD is perfect.” Psalm 19:7

The Bible often tells us to keep God’s laws and commandments. Believers willingly do so because we love Him and want to please Him. More than that, we trust His law is perfect and inerrant.

How do we know His law is perfect? King David addresses this question in Psalm 19. In two short verses, he details the law’s perfection and how it accomplishes what it proclaims.

First, David lays out the top reason why the law is perfect. According to verse seven, the number one reason is that it transforms the soul. It completely changes our lives. This is arguably the Bible’s greatest description of God’s word and His power.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”

When God gave Moses the law (Torah) in the Old Testament, the purpose was not merely to give the Israelites rules to obey. The purpose was to provide guidance on spiritual and practical matters and to test their devotion to Him. Unfortunately, most of the Israelites failed.

Though saved from a brutal Egyptian regime and shown incredible miracles, many chose not to obey the Lord. The result was their three-week walk to the Promised Land became a four-year wandering in the wilderness.

God was merciful in His patience with His chosen people, but He especially blessed those who were dedicated to Him. He showed them extra favor. They had a changed heart, a renewed mind, and a desire to be closer to Him because the law converted their souls. They believed and trusted Him entirely. We can experience the same favor.

David gives us two reasons in Psalm 19 not only how the law is perfect but also how it affects those who follow it. Though we now live under a covenant of grace and not the covenant of (Moses’) law, God’s word still has the power to convert souls and transform lives.

God’s Law Makes Us Wise

“The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (v7)

The better translation for the word testimony here might be “to bear witness.” God’s word bears witness to its divine authorship. It is sure and cannot be changed. It is trustworthy and reliable, as we see in 2 Timothy.

Many Scriptures start with what is good about a particular biblical doctrine, followed by an explanation of why. The apostle Paul uses this format in 2 Timothy 3:16, where he declares that all Scripture is God’s inspired, inerrant word. He then describes what it is good for and why.

“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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good. work.” 

Scripture is good and profitable for:

• Establishing a doctrine
• For reproof
• For guidance and correction
• For instruction in how to live righteously

What will these things do in one’s life?

• A person is made complete in the Lord
• A person is thoroughly equipped for every good work the Lord has for him or her

The Bible uses this format—declaration then fulfillment—to teach individual themes and commandments as it repeatedly proves why God’s law is perfect. God, out of the abundance of His love, does not simply tell us to do something; He explains why so we can learn and grow in understanding.

Second Timothy 3:16 describes one way God’s law is perfect. Through our obedience, His perfection becomes ours, and we are made complete and thoroughly equipped for His plans for our lives. In the process, He makes the simple-minded wise as they study His word, as Psalm 19:7 tells us.

Our Hearts Rejoice

“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” (v8)

The dictionary defines a statute as an established law or rule and the document that expresses it. Biblically speaking, God’s statutes are His law, His rules, and the Bible is His document through which He reveals Himself. He expresses His holiness and righteousness through His word.

We know from verse seven of Psalm 19 that God’s word is perfect and sure. Verse eight then tells us His law is right. It is good, proper, just, and conforms to the truth of His word. Those who obey Him discover His goodness and truth as they work out their faith.

In discovering the truth, they experience peace beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:6), and consequently, their joy increases. Their hearts rejoice with the knowledge of His truth, leading them to desire to serve God more.

The result is they love obeying the law.

Followers of Christ cannot help but rejoice in the knowledge of God’s truth. True believers cannot help rejoicing when they follow His statutes.

His Law is Divine and Pure

“The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (v8)

The word commandment in this verse is related to “order.” With this context, we can see that the law is understood as divine orders directly from the Lord Himself. It is without blemish, without error. It is completely perfect, just as He is perfect. It is pure as He is pure.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

As we discover in verse seven that God’s statutes are right, our hearts rejoice. Similarly, as we discover His commandments are pure, our eyes are enlightened. They become clear and open. We can suddenly see what we could not see before when the enemy blinded us.

God reveals Himself to us through His divine word—His statutes, His commandments. As we obey them, we become wise, our hearts rejoice, and our eyes open to the only truth we will ever need. That is God’s truth, for in Him is all truth.

His Law is Sweet and Desirable

Finally, Psalm 19:10 reminds us we should strongly desire God’s law because of its sweetness in our lives.

“More to be desired [is the law] than gold, yea, than much fine gold. Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (my addition)

If you love dessert, you probably have a favorite, something you absolutely cannot resist because it is so good. The psalmist tells us we should desire God’s word, including its law, just like that. It should be something you crave every day because you trust it. It should be a longing in your heart to obey.

When we crave God’s word and keep His commandments, God slowly reveals Himself to us. We grow an intimate relationship with Him, a relationship that grows sweeter every day like a growing honeycomb. We learn He is a good Father, and His law is love and mercy. It is also fair and just. And the more we trust Him, the more we long to serve Him. The more we long to worship Him.

Keeping God’s commandments is our only hope. He is our only path to freedom and eternal life. David understood this when he said in verse eleven of Psalm 19, “And in keeping them there is great reward.”

Do you crave to keep His laws? Is it a priority in your daily life? If it is not, it may be time to re-examine your commitment to Him. If you do not fully trust Him or put Him first, perhaps now is a good time to renew your relationship with Him or begin altogether. Out of our obedience comes great blessing and eternal rewards.

“And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments.” (2 John 1:6)

“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The Jehovah titles are illustrative of God’s character. In the Old Testament, a name entailed far more than mere identification; rather, it expressed identity, purpose and even character. Exploring His names, we learn God’s essential traits. Through the gospel, He reaches out to bring estranged sinners into an authentic personal relationship with Himself.

The title Jehovah Shalom occurs only once in the Bible, in Judges 6.24: “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace”. The English phrase, “The Lord is Peace”, translates the Hebrew, Jehovah Shalom. The name Jehovah conveys the thought of being, or existing, or becoming known, while the term shalom refers to soundness, completeness, harmony and the absence of strife. It is best rendered by our English word, peace.

The book of Judges describes a difficult time in the history of Israel. Lacking both unity and faithful leadership, the nation had fallen into a vicious cycle of apostasy and idol worship. Because of their idolatry, God gave them over to their enemies until they repented. Deliverance followed, but in short order they found themselves returning to apostasy.

At this particular juncture, Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, who left them hiding in caves, bereft of food, livestock and working tools. With terror in their hearts and aware of their weakness, they cried to God for help. He reminded them that their disobedience caused their troubles, but He also sent them Gideon.

Gideon, it has to be said, was perplexed as to why such ill had befallen his people. He never doubted that God had delivered them from Egyptian slavery, but where was God when they needed Him most? Why such tragedy and suffering? Was He still with them? Although the Lord then commissioned Gideon to save Israel, he felt weak, frail, and incapable. However, his uncertainty and fear were dispelled by God’s promise, “I will be with you” (Judges 6:16). To confirm the identity of his supernatural visitor, Gideon asked for a sign. Witnessing the food he prepared for the angel miraculously consumed by fire, Gideon was filled with even greater fear.  He had seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!  The immediate divine response was this: “Peace be to you. Do not fear, you shall not die” (Judges 6:23). As a result of these words, Gideon’s heart was infused with confidence and courage. He experienced peace in the truest sense. Building an altar to the Lord, he called it, “Jehovah-Shalom”, or “The Lord is Peace”. Come what may, he could now confront the enemy and undertake great exploits for God. His encounter with the God of Peace had taught him that he was not alone.

Just over 2000 years ago, Isaiah’s great prophecy about the coming of the Lord Jesus was fulfilled. In the person of Immanuel, God with us, the “Prince of Peace” came to dwell among His people (Isaiah 9:6). During His ministry, the Lord Jesus brought life to the dead, healing to the diseased, liberty to the captive, and peace to the brokenhearted. Shortly before making “peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20), thereby making reconciliation possible for every sinner, He spoke to His disciples, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). After rising victoriously from the dead, Jesus’s very first words to His fearful followers were a repetition of “Peace be with you” (John 20:19,21).

Our world craves peace, but finds it elusive. Virtually every sphere of life is full of discord and disruption. Whether we face international war, familial strife, or internal struggles, peace evades us. We long for rest and tranquility, yet find only conflict and worry. As relationships fracture, we settle for disharmony because reconciliation seems only a dream. We need peace.

The Bible teaches that we were made in the image of God. Though we have fallen short of His standards, there is a way that shattered image can be restored. Through the gospel, God removes the barriers to a genuine relationship with Him. He gives life to the spiritually dead, and reconciles us to Himself so that we have peace withGod, a blessing followed by the peace of God in our hearts.  Indeed, salvation initiates a transformation that slowly but surely changes us into His very image and likeness. By forgiving the debt of sin that hindered our relationship with Him, bringing us into peace with Himself, God sets a course of total transformation whereby the character of Jesus Christ is replicated in those who have become sons of God by faith. This way, God gives us His peace, settles our hearts in peace, and makes provision for us to live in perfect peace.

The day he set out to wage war against a numerically superior enemy, Gideon enjoyed peace. We too can experience peace by confronting our sinfulness and believing that Jesus Christ accomplished reconciliation by His sacrificial death. Having made peace by His work on the cross, He now grants perfect serenity of soul, not because of favorable circumstances, but because we know Jehovah Shalom is with us and will never forsake us. And if that does not convey peace to a troubled soul, nothing will!

One of the greatest demonstrations of God’s power is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The BIble promises that those who put their faith in Jesus will also be raised from the dead (Philippians 3:20-21).

Ultimately, these passages of scripture remind us why it is important for us to recognize God's omnipotence, so that we never lose hope in the promises of God and the power of his resurrection (1 Corinthians 1:18). When faced with life’s trials, we can rely on the promise that “God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

No matter what tribulations may come our way we have the comfort of knowing that God is powerful, and can overcome any adversity. 

While our weaknesses will sometimes leave us feeling discouraged, deflated, and defeated, it is essential never to forget the assurance provided in scripture concerning the Almighty One who uses His power to offer protection, comfort, and deliverance for those who love Him. 

Bible Verses about the Power of God

Matthew 22:29

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.”

Luke 22:69

But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:2-5

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

2 Corinthians 13:4

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

2 Timothy 1:7-8

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

More Bible Verses about God’s Power

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

Exodus 15:6

Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

2 Chronicles 20:6

And said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

Job 9:4

He is wise in heart and mighty in strength, who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?

Job 26:14

Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Psalm 24:7-8

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Psalm 62:10-11

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Psalm 95:3

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 96:4

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 145:3

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 147:4-5

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 10:12

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 24:49

And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Romans 1:20

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

1 Corinthians 2:23-24

But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

1  Corinthians 6:14

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 1:19-21

And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 3:20-21 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Hebrews 1:3

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Revelation 4:11

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.

Revelation 11:17

Saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.