Unwise or Understanding - Part 2

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

Many people in our churches today are asking how they can know the will of God for their lives. To be wise in the face of evil days means to be sure that we understand the will of God. Understanding takes what we know (knowledge) and matches it with our perspective (wisdom) so that we can make right choices in following God and pleasing Him.

Finding God’s will is not as difficult as many people think. It is not hidden. God does not play games with us. As a matter of fact, we can probably throw out any books we have on finding God’s will! Why do I say that? Because the Bible is all sufficient. It has everything we need to know and obey God’s will. Let us look at 6 things that the Bible says very plainly are God’s will for His elect:

1. It is God’s will for His elect to be saved – 1 Tim 2:3-4; Rom 8:28-30
2. It is God’s will for His elect to be Spirit filled – Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:19; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 4:30
3. It is God’s will for His elect to be sanctified – 1 Thess. 4:3; Rom 8:29-30
4. It is God’s will for His elect to be submissive – 1 Peter 2:13-15
5. It is God’s will for His elect to suffer! - 1 Peter 2:20
6. It is God’s will for His elect to be thankful – 1 Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:4

If you are His – you are saved – then it is the will of God that today you be controlled and led by the Holy Spirit so that you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. It is His will that you be sanctified, that is, to be made more like Christ. It is His will that you submit to governmental authorities, church leadership, and even to each other as husbands and wives (Rom 13:1; Eph. 5:22; 1 Peter 5:5). It is His will that you suffer for being godly! Jesus said we could be sure of persecution if we lived like He did! If we are not suffering we are not living holy lives. It is also His will that we be thankful in everything!

If you are doing all of these things then you can pretty much do whatever you want!! That’s right! If you know God’s will you will do it! And if you are doing all of these things you will be walking with Him, pleasing Him, controlled by Him, and accountable to others. You can do whatever you want to do and be assured that God’s will has been found in your life!

Too often those seeking so desperately for God’s will refuse to do these basic and Biblical things, thinking God’s will is some spectacular mystery that we have to work to find. Do what you know from the Word and you will find yourself walking in His will! It really is as easy as that.

(For a more thorough treatment of the subject of finding God's will, be sure and get a copy of John MacArthur's wonderful little book Found:God's Will.)