How Do We Know God's Will?

This month's series is all about God's Will. I attended the 2 PM service with my family on April 29, 2012. I believe that many people need to hear last Sunday's message. So here I'm sharing some high lights. I have also provided a link to locate the podcast so that you may hear the entire preaching. This is life-changing if taken seriously and appropriately.

We are haunted by two extremes: One, finding God's will is difficult. Two, 'every' thing depends upon God's will.

Extreme #1 says that God is out there hiding His will. The more we search for it with difficulty, the happier He is. We have this belief that to know God's will, we have to go through a 40-day fasting, go up the mountains, or punish ourselves. Extreme #2 says that every single step we make, we have to consult God's will. Do I go to work today? Should I buy this?  Am I going to eat lunch? Each extreme belief is faulty. #1 is defective because God is not a cosmic kill joy and does not take delight in us having difficulty in finding His will. #2 is defective because when God created Man, He also intended to say "let there be common sense" too. But unfortunately, it is not common anymore. These two must be reconciled. It is wise that we meet in the middle and find a common ground.

 But really, how do we know God's will? Romans 12:1-2 gives the answer. And thanks be to God for not requiring tasks that are beyond our capability as condition precedent to finding God's will.

¹ Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him. ² Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect. 

To know God's will, here are three exhortations:

1.  Live a life that pleases God.

A righteous life, which is a life devoted and offered to the Lord., is a pleasing sacrifice to God. It as an act of worship. And if our lives please God, we are in the best position to know God's will.

2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world.

To know God's will, do not be like the people of this world. Take note that instead of using the word patterns (plural), the bible uses the singular form. Why? Because THE WORLD has only one pattern--ANTI-CHRIST. There are only two patterns to choose from: God's way and the world's way. What is the gauge? The Bible, the final arbiter. We always have to go back to the Word of God. Anything not in agreement with or contrary to God's word is a pattern of this world. Surround yourself with Godly men and women.

3. Have a renewed mind.

Repentance is not just about feeling convicted and asking for forgiveness. Crying and feeling sorry, when taken alone, is being emotional not repentant. The original meaning of repentance is a change of mind. Why? Because our behavior changes when our mind changes. As Pastor Rick Warren put it in his book, "All behavior is based on a belief." Let God change the way you think. Change always starts in the mind. Why? Because, again, repentance is a change of mind. You can cry all you want but if you are still repeating the sin, you have not really repented.

What is the result of these three?

Romans 12:2c says, "Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect." These three will bring a mature discernment of God's will in your life. I have mentioned that knowing God's will does not require things that are beyond our capability. But knowing His will has a formula. The last part of Romans 12:2 does not come on its own. The word THEN entails a condition: A life that pleases God, not conforming to the pattern of this world, and a renewed mind.

 Most of us exist in and wander around this world like we have nothing else to do but exist and wander. We study because we want to land a good job. We work because we need to make ends meet. We try to live plainly because life is better than death. We spend so much of our time on figuring out life's meaning. At the end of the day, hope and will set along with the sun. Tomorrow, a brand new day commences but everything shall be on loop. Refuse to have a mediocre life. Refuse doing it on your own. It is not too late. Let God rearrange your life. Have His way and agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect. Good, Pleasing, and Perfect.

To listen to last Sunday's message, click this: How Do We Know God's Will?