-
God's Perfect Will For Your Life
Contributed by Terry Tuley on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: The letter known as the Epistle to the Ephesians is one of the most discussed, criticized, and mysterious of all New Testament documents.
The letter known as the Epistle to the Ephesians is one of the most
discussed, criticized, and mysterious of all New Testament documents. It
was written by Paul the Apostle while in prison in Rome. It was sent out
to the churches all over Asia.
Two key words in the book of Ephesians are the words "know" and "walk."
"That I may know him in the power of his resurrection..." and "Walk
worthy" (4:1), "Walk different"(4:17), walk in love (5:2), walk as
childeren of the light (5:8), walk circumspectly (5:15). The first section
may be summarized as "Teaching announced." And the second as "Teaching
applied."
Here in the first few verses Paul gives greetings and salutations to his
readers and reminds them of his calling and how hislife was being directed
by God. Through the testimony of Paul we can learn that God has a perfect
will for the live of every born again believer. It is our goal as
Christians to get right in the center of God's pland and purpose for our
lives. So let us consider the following truths that Paul presents
concerning God's perfect will...
I. GOD HAS PERFECT PLAN FOR OUR LIVES
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God"
Paul's Damascus experience is evidence of this truth. He was a persecutor
of Christians, was blinded by a great light and finally heard a voice from
heaven. God had plan for Paul from the beginning.
Have you found God's perfect plan for your life?
Many Christians are miserable because they are rebelling against God's
perfect plan for their lives.
Some people are running from God's perfect will (like Jonah).
Everything will not be perfect when you get in God's perfect will, but
there is no other way to be happy. We must learn to stay put in the center
of God's will. We should not run at the first sign of a storm.
II. GOD HAS A PERFECT PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES (1b)
"To the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus."
It is God's perfect purpose for our lives that we be faithful to Him where
he has placed us. WE WILL NEVER FIND GOD'S PERFECT WILL UNTIL WE BECOME
FAITHFUL TO HIM.
Not only is it God's will for us to be faithful, but God purposes for us
to be HOLY. The word "saints" in our text means to be set apart. It means
we are to consecrate ourselves to Him. We are to be committed and "sold
out."
III. GOD HAS PERFECT PEACE FOR OUR LIVES (v2)
"Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ."
You will never have perfect peace until you are in the center of God's
will. Circumstances do not matter. Location does not matter. There will be
perfect peace and contentment wherever God places you if you are in his
perfect will.
Paoul said, "Grace unto you." "The will of God will never lead you where
the grace of God cannot keep you."
Are you in God's perfect will? Are you where God wants you? ARe you doing
what God wants you to do? Do you have peace in yhour heart even in the
midst of circumstances. Do you have the peace of KNOWING God is directing
your paths?