Can I Know God’s Will for My Life?

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

I think I can safely say that questions about the will of God is the numero uno issue I deal with as a pastor. Is it possible for a Christ follower to walk with confidence, knowing he/she is in the will of God? I say, “YES,” but let me explain my answer.

First, there are “God’s will” issues in Scripture; things we are explicitly told that are the will of God. It is God’s will that you are:

Saved — “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some consider slowness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” [2 Peter 3.9; also 1 Timothy 2.3-4].    

Sanctified — “This is the will of God, even your sanctification” [1 Thessalonians 4.3].

Spirit-filled — “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” [Ephesians 5.17-18]. 

Suffering for God’s sake — “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered…” [1 Peter 2.13-14].

Thankful — “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” [1Thessalonians 5.18].

When I’m talking with someone about this, they typically say, “Those are great things to live by, but it doesn’t tell me if this is the right “one” for me, or where I should go to college. Here’s how I see it; if you are saved, sanctified, spirit-filled suffering for the right reason, and thankful, then do whatever you want, whatever is in your heart to do. The Psalmist said it this way, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” [Psalm 37.4]

Do I really believe that God fulfills the desires of one’s heart? Absolutely yes! If you are living in the the expressed will of God as mentioned above, your will will be in alignment with His will. Your desires will be the right ones, and God will fulfill them. By the way, that’s also how we can ask anything in His name and receive it. Why? Because you will be asking for things that are in agreement with His will. 

But first things first; live a saved, sanctified, spirit-filled, suffering for good, thankful life. That is God’s will revealed in His Word. The rest is, well, icing on the cake!

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5.17