Which way Lord?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Colby on September 29, 2013 at 12:18pm

"Which way Lord, you ask?"  How can we discern what is "God's will?"

By God's will, I believe you are referring to his overarching purpose and plan.  It is presented with clarity in the Holy Bible, being progressively revealed from Genesis through Revelation.  Simply stated, to do God's will means to apply and conform to biblical principles in our walk of faith with God.  More specifically, it means that our thoughts and deeds in all things should imitate Christ, our Lord and Savior.  He is our exemplar who modeled for us a perfect and sinless life.  

 

Then and now, there’s this thing called sin. Since the beginning of creation, sin is a powerful force in our lives.  Sin is when we seek to follow our own will instead of the will of God.  It distorts our relationship with God, with other people, and with all of creation.  Sometimes we do the will of the father and work in the vineyard and other times we do not work in the vineyard. Our human lives speak of both realities.

 

We can’t be Christ, but we are called to be Christ-like. Being followers of Jesus means being a follower of his pattern.  Following Jesus means allowing our hearts and minds to be transformed by grace and guided by God's Word.  God expects us to shape our lives in accordance with the will of the One who created us and who more wonderfully redeemed us in Jesus Christ.  If we do that, we make ourselves available to act in accord or alignment with God's purpose and plan.

 

By now, you might be thinking: "Okay, Colby, I get all that.  But, I'm still wondering, What is the will of God for my  life?  Could you be more clear and explicit?"

 

Sure.  The Bible tells us that it is, first and foremost, offering God faithful worship. (Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:16; Heb 13:15)  Everything else proceeds out from that.  And faithful worship is principally “God-centered” rather than “self-centered.”  God's son, Jesus, died on the cross for us; he paid the penalty for our sins.  Our worship--indeed our entire outlook on life and our day-to-day focus--should be centered not on ourselves but on what Christ has done for us.

 

We should also know that this is somewhat counter to the contemporary Christianity that some in our modern and materialistic culture practice.  Some people today see God and the church as being "me-centered;" the means for getting what they want in their lives.  It's all about what we can get from God.  If you want a happier lifestyle, better health, carefree living, and more money - use biblical principles.  Just plug God and your faith into whatever it is you want and presto! - your immediate desires are fulfilled. Wrong!

 

I can't promise you it will always be an easy path when you follow the way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross.  But, the ultimate purpose of God in the cross of Jesus is our new life that begins now and heads into eternity. 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20, ESV).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by myla lusterio on September 29, 2013 at 11:46pm

Thank You for your wonderful message. It really made me think and realize a lot of things.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tammy on September 29, 2013 at 2:54pm

We can generalize & say what God's will is for the Christian life. We are to glorify the Father & make disciples. Now, when it comes to the specifics for each individual life, you're correct, it is hard to know for sure. There are things we can do to attempt to understand what His will is for your life but some doubts & questions can always remain. It reminds me of this song:

James 1:5 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

• ▶ Reply