Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” –Genesis 12:1
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” –Hebrews 11:8
Books written. Sermons preached. Lessons taught. But still the question is asked, “How can I know the will of God for my life?” With all the instruction that we have within God’s Word, the Scriptures, can it really be that difficult to know God’s will? In Abraham’s day God spoke audibly, in our day He speaks through His Word, the Bible. God spoke – Abraham obeyed. Abraham’s environment was that of polytheistic worship, the worship of many gods. His father was of that frame of belief. But God had a purposeful plan for his life and He began by calling him out unto Himself.
Sometimes I think we make knowing the will of God more complicated than it really is. In any course of action there are some basic instructions. According to Acts 2, those who gladly received His word were baptized, added to the church and continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. These are the beginning stages of following the will of God. Once one has been born again, he follows the Lord in the waters of baptism, joins a local church, participates in the Lord’s Table, sits under the hearing of the Word of God, grows in fellowship with one another and becomes a person of prayer. When one is obedient to God in these areas, he/she is open to God’s continued leading in life.
Most times God’s will is revealed in small steps, but some times in large steps as in the life of Abraham. In a thorough study of Scripture I have found the following to be a helpful pattern in understanding God’s will and purpose for His children as well as their response in being obedient. I trust it will be helpful to others also.
God’s Will & The Believer’s Obedience
God’s Plan Concerning His Will
- Conformation – Romans 8:29
- Transformation – Romans 12:1-2
- Completion – Colossians 4:12b
- Sanctification – Thessalonians 4:3a
- Glorification – Isaiah 43:7; Romans 8:30
God’s Promises Concerning His Will
- His Direction – Isaiah 30:30-21; Psalm 37:23
- His Wisdom – Colossians 1:9; James 1:5
- His Working – Philippians 1:6; 2:13
- His presence – Isaiah 43:2; Hebrews 13:5
- His Compassion – Isaiah 63:9
God’s Provisions Concerning His Will
- His Holy Word – Psalm 119:105
- Godly Counsel – Proverbs 11:14; 15:22
- Ministry of the Holy Spirit – John 1:26; 16:3
- His Perfect Peace – Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15
- His Reproving Love – Hebrews 12:6
God’s Prerequisites Concerning His Will
- Obedience to the Word – Psalm 40:7-8; II Timothy 3:16-17
- Being a Living Sacrifice – Romans 12:1-2
- Walking in His Ways – Proverbs 4:25-27
- Consistency in Prayer – Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 7:7-8
- Using Common Sense – II Timothy 1:7
You have not really learned a commandment until you have obeyed it. The church suffers today from Christians who know volumes more than they practice! –Vance Havner