How to Know God's Will for Your LifeSample

God’s Word is God’s Will

It is common enough to anguish over God’s will for our lives. We very much want to please him and we don’t want to make a mistake. This is understandable. In fact, it would be strange if we didn’t feel that way.

However, the truth is that there are scores of things that may all be classified as the will of God for us and these are all revealed in the Bible. We could make a very long list here, but here are some obvious ones.

Love one another
Be kind to one another
Pray for each other
Give to the poor
Love our marriage partners
Love our enemies
Do good to those who hurt us
Tell the truth
Be honest in all our dealings.
Worship God in spirit and in truth
Be filled with the Spirit
Bear good fruit
Please the Father

All these are clearly documented in Scripture. Then there is also the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 to 8) in which Jesus spells out in a very practical and direct way how we should live. His further teaching on love is strong and direct: to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34; 15:12).

Even though we may be unsure about particular lines of action, as long as we are behaving in a manner consistent with Scripture, we are fundamentally doing what God wants—in other words, doing his will. I think God is far more concerned about this than he is about whether we catch the 8.15 bus or the 8.32 train.

It might be argued that there could be someone on one bus and not the other whom we should meet. Of course, but as long as our attitude, motive or behaviour in either case is consistent with Scripture it cannot be alleged that we are out of God’s will. We shall pursue this thought later, but for now it is enough to say with the Psalmist:

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word…
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:9-11).

What next?

·From the list above, choose three items that seem to be particularly important to you at this time. Ask yourself how you can better apply them to your life and make a note of your conclusions.

·Memorise, with the reference, one verse from the Bible reading (Psalm 119:9-16) that you need to know. Repeat it every hour.