How Does One Know God’s Will In A Given Situation?
As I wrote earlier, God’s desire is not to involve ourselves in great matters or in things too difficult for us. (Ps 131)
So too, Paul tells us to pray for our authorities so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life. (1 Tim. 2:2)
There are two earthly authorities set up by God, our father and the government but not, as most believe, our employer or the church.
Our tranquil and quiet life comes from direction and protection of the government and of our earthly father. Once married, our father is no longer our authority but rather an adviser, we are then in the direct line of God’s authority.
In the Old Testament, there were many ways to know God’s will, some were casting lots, laying out a fleece, Urim and Thummim, Prophets, etc.
Today, we have a different means of knowing God’s will; peace.
An example of this is when the disciples wanted to select a replacement for Judas in Acts 1:24, they drew lots and chose Matthias. They used old techniques to determine God's will but should have waited until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus instructed in Acts 1:8. We see that Matthias was never mentioned again in Scripture however, it appears that God had chosen Paul for the position.
Paul pens, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Phil. 4)
When we pray about a matter, God gives us peace (or a lack of peace). God's peace is important. He gives it from His Spirit to comfort our soul (mind, will, emotions). It surpasses our comprehension (the way we understand things). When Paul says it shall guard your heart and mind, in the Greek, this is one’s thoughts or feelings and your perception of things.
To know God’s will, know His peace.
What does one do to know peace?
When you do, it will give you direction, guard your thoughts, feelings and perception of things.
Showing posts with label Knowing God's Will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knowing God's Will. Show all posts
May 23, 2007
March 21, 2007
Paul continues in Romans 12 with his discourse of worship and the role of the Believer when he writes, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect".
The description of the clean animal was the cloven hoof illustrates "not being conformed to this world" and, chewing the cud, "being transformed by the renewing of your mind".
Renewing of the mind is the crux of the Christian life. This is the only way to transform the life of the Believer. Behaviors, that we try to change in our own power, will be modified by God through the power of His Word. The writer of Hebrews reports this when he pens, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart".
The process is simple, taking a section of Scripture, reading it, thinking about it, its meaning, the setting and pondering it. Bringing it back up later, to think about it again, put it in the context of your life and the lives of those around you. Critique it, test it, ask what God meant by it. Challenge it. Argue it. God's Word stands the test.
This is meditation. This will change your thinking which in turn will change your behavior.
"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. Deut. 11:18
The word transformed (by the renewing of your mind) is metamorphoo, the origin of the English word, metamorphosis. The changes are sometimes not noticeable and changes take time.
The result of not conforming to the world and transforming the mind is that we will know or discern what the will of God is.
This is the most asked question in the church, "What is God's will for my life"?
When we meditate on the Word, the benefit of making this a habit is that you will begin to know what God's will is for your life.
The description of the clean animal was the cloven hoof illustrates "not being conformed to this world" and, chewing the cud, "being transformed by the renewing of your mind".
Renewing of the mind is the crux of the Christian life. This is the only way to transform the life of the Believer. Behaviors, that we try to change in our own power, will be modified by God through the power of His Word. The writer of Hebrews reports this when he pens, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart".
The process is simple, taking a section of Scripture, reading it, thinking about it, its meaning, the setting and pondering it. Bringing it back up later, to think about it again, put it in the context of your life and the lives of those around you. Critique it, test it, ask what God meant by it. Challenge it. Argue it. God's Word stands the test.
This is meditation. This will change your thinking which in turn will change your behavior.
"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. Deut. 11:18
The word transformed (by the renewing of your mind) is metamorphoo, the origin of the English word, metamorphosis. The changes are sometimes not noticeable and changes take time.
The result of not conforming to the world and transforming the mind is that we will know or discern what the will of God is.
This is the most asked question in the church, "What is God's will for my life"?
When we meditate on the Word, the benefit of making this a habit is that you will begin to know what God's will is for your life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
