Knowing The Will Of God

Can We Know God’s Will?

Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Psalm 40:7-8 “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.” Matt. 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.” Eph. 6:6-7 “Not with eye service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men:”

There are three questions any sincere Christian committed to Christ is constantly confronted with. The Word of God continually compels those who search its pages to seek God’s answers to these three questions. These questions are: Does God have a will or purpose for my life? Can I know God’s will for my life; and if so, how? Am I in God’s will right now? Obviously the correct answers to these questions can only be found in God’s Book. The idea of calling the two divisions testaments or covenants, strongly implies that within their pages is the basis for an agreed plan and purpose for those who enter into covenant with Him by faith.

It is clear that all these important questions about the will of God can and should be answered in the affirmative. God does have a will and purpose for every life. We can know that will and purpose. We not only can know God’s will at any particular moment of our life, but He wishes us to do so. He also wishes to be assured that we are in His will at all times. If all this is true, and can be demonstrated to be so by the Word of God, why do so many Christians seem to be seeking and searching for God’s will so much of the time? We hear people speak as if His will has been lost. They sometimes seem to think God has hidden His will from them and they must rush around as if they are involved in a great Easter egg hunt; trying to uncover or discover God’s will. It would seem some feel God would like to keep them in spiritual darkness about His will, but they are determined to find it by diligent searching.

But could it be true that God would urge us to do His will and then hide it from us? Would it be reasonable for Him to expect us to constantly serve Him in His will and then make it difficult for us to find it? If all this is true then the will of God must be clearly revealed to us in His Word.

Here are some things we can know for certain about God’s will as revealed in His Word: IT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR ALL MEN TO BE SAVED. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Pet. 3:9) “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim. 2:4) IT IS THE WILL OF GOD THAT THE CHILD OF GOD BE SECURE IN HIS SALVATION. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:13) IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THE CHILD OF GOD BE SEPARATED FROM THE WORLD. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (II Cor. 6:17-18) IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THE CHILD OF GOD BE SURRENDERED AND SANCTIFIED. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2) IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THE CHILD OF GOD BE SPIRIT FILLED. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit...” IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT THE CHILD OF GOD ALWAYS SERVE HIM. “Not with eye service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”” (Eph. 6:6-7)