Ephesians 1:9-12: And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
God chose to make known to us the mystery of his will. In this passage the writer is talking about the mystery of redemption. God loved us enough to send his only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. God is working to bring everything together in the conformity of his will.
But more specifically, God has a will for each individual. It is important for each individual to discern the facets of God's will for his or her life.
With the recent terrorist events, and the war in Afghanistan, we have learned that some people are misguided in thinking that it is the will of God to kill Americans. They are misguided in thinking that it is the will of God for them to commit suicide while killing innocent people.
The extremism of some should not make you any less fervent to seek the will of God for your life. Don't settle into the pattern of simply making a living, while giving no attention to God's will and purpose for your life.
God speaks today. God gives specific divine guidance to his children today. But God will never give guidance contrary to his will revelation which is contained in the Bible. God never contradicts himself. He is always consistent.
II Peter 1:20-21: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Someone may say, "God told me to leave my wife, and marry this other woman." That guidance is in evident conflict with the will of God revealed in the Bible. The person who believes that God is speaking to leave his spouse for another is deluded. God never speaks contrary to his word.
BUT GOD DOES SPEAK!!
In I Corinthians 2 there is a verse that some believers love to quote. Verse 9 says, However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
Some will quote this verse to prove we can't know what God will do or that we can't know what God has prepared for us. But verse 10 shouts, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
I am not saying that you will know in advance everything that will happen in your life. I am not saying that you will know every single aspect of everything that God has prepared for you. I am saying God has willed to show us much more than we have been willing to hear.
The last phrase of I Corinthians 2 says, But we have the mind of Christ.
Examine lives of the great Biblical characters, and you will find that they learned to walk with God, and God guided them into his will for their lives.
A seminary professor told the story of a young man who had a room with two beds. He would ask God each night which bed he should sleep in. When professor told that story in class, everyone laughed. But the professor quickly added, that even though the behavior of that young man was extreme, he could work with him to truly discern the will of God for his life much more easily, than someone who has no regard for the will of God.
The sad truth of the church is that many believers have no regard for what God wants for their lives.
Paul asked God to fill the the believers at Colosse "with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossian 1:9)
Today accept the truth that God wants to make known to you his will for your life.
Your part is simple. Turn the television off for a while and spend time in the Word of God. Set yourself apart to spend time in the presence of God. Yes, we all are very busy in life. And we must not neglect the responsibilities of life.
But isn't our greatest responsibility to find out what God wants us to do?
The most exciting adventure in the universe is to walk with God and to do his will. Take a step today toward God's exciting adventure for your life.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org