How Should I Know God’s
Will? (Part 2)
King Solomon
says in Proverbs 20:24, “Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then
understand his own way?” God, the Sovereign Ruler and the Master Designer of
our lives, plans and executes His will for our lives. Knowing God’s will for
our lives is a solemn task, and many have got into the wrong ways of
accomplishing it. Some go after astrology, some into mediums who tell the
future, and some are after the so called ‘Prophets and Apostles’ of the modern
day ‘Signs and Wonders’ movement. Quite often, when people try to follow God’s
will, they tend to follow their own personal impulses, led by the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. This is a common danger for
Christians, and unfortunately many Christians are trapped in it.
Concerning
God’s will for Christians’ life, we usually ask the following questions: (1)
Why should I know and do God’s will?, (2) How should I know God’s will?, (3)
How should I do God’s will?, and (4) How should I be contented with God’s will?
In the previous issue of the Reformation
Now (vol 4, #2), we have addressed the first question. We need to know and
do God’s will in our lives because: (1) Man’s will and ways are corrupted and
limited. Man, with his unregenerate heart, will never choose that which is
right before God (Romans 1:29-32). King Solomon in Proverbs 14:12 puts it this
way: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.” Solomon again says in Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is
right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (2) God’s
will is perfect. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:1-2 that God has good,
pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He is a good and faithful God,
and He does only that which is good for His children. The Apostle James adds,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights” (James 1:17). Therefore, we are called to know and follow His
perfect will for our lives. (3) God has His ways for His children. Though God
cares for everyone through His general providence, He has a special providence
by which He specially cares for all His children, the elect of God, the ones
who truly and faithfully follow Him. When God’s children draw near to Him in
faith and trust and with consecrated lives, He guides them according to His
blessed plan for them (Psalms 103:7; Exodus 33:14, 17-19). And (4) God’s ways
are higher than man’s ways. God, through His prophet Isaiah, reveals in Isaiah
55:6-9, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is
near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and
let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon. For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Now comes the
next crucial question concerning knowing and doing God’s will: How should I
know God’s will for my life? It is heartening to know that our loving heavenly
Father has provided various means to His children that they may know His will
for their lives. Some of them are: God’s written Word, counsel from godly men, learning
through God ordained circumstances, prayerfully waiting upon God, etc. In this
article we will deal with the first.
God’s Written Word and Knowing God’s
Will
The life of
Christians on earth is guided by the written revelation of God, the Holy Bible.
The Word of God is the sole basis for our faith and practice. We should pattern
our lives in accordance with God’s instructions, revealed in the Bible. The
psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms
119:105). God’s people are to understand that His Word is the revealed wisdom
of God, and it is sufficient for everything in life. God’s Word is able to make
one “wise unto salvation” and “perfect” before God. Therefore, Timothy was
advised by the Apostle Paul to be steadfast in the Scriptures, “But continue
thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of
whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). God’s Word instructs us to follow the
correct path; rebukes us when we disobey; corrects us when we err; and restores
us when we go astray. God’s Word is His complete counsel for us to lead a life pleasing
to Him.
In Psalm 19,
the psalmist explains the manifold benefits of God’s Word, “The law of the LORD
is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise
the simple. The statutes of the LORD are
right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening
the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of
the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter
also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is
great reward” (Psalms 19:7-11). The psalmist gives a series of descriptions of
God’s Word, and along with various descriptions, he also adds its benefits.
God’s Word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous. The
benefits are: converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart,
enlightening the eyes, and enduring forever. The Word of God is the apex of
nourishment—ultimate sweetness.
Psalm 119 is a
beautiful psalm where the psalmist explains God’s Word as sufficient for
everything in life. The psalmist says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that
I might not sin against thee” (verse 11); “Make me to understand the way of thy
precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (verse 27); “Teach me, O LORD,
the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end” (verse 33); “And I
will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved” (verse 47); “Remember
the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my
comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (verses 49-50); “It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than
thousands of gold and silver” (verses 71-72); “Let my heart be sound in thy
statutes; that I be not ashamed” (verse 80); “Quicken me after thy loving-kindness;
so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth” (verse 88); “O how love I thy law!
it is my meditation all the day” (verse 97); “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path” (verse105); “Thy testimonies have I taken as an
heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine
heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end” (verses 111-112); “Thy
testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them” (verse 129); “Order
my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” (verse
133); “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (verse 140); “Concerning
thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever” (verse
152); and “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous
judgments endureth for ever” (verse 160).
Searching God’s Word
Since God’s
Word is the wisdom of God, and has manifold benefits, a believer must
appropriate it in his daily life. Solomon instructs an young man, “My son, if
thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou
incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if
thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For
the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk
uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his
saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity;
yea, every good path” (Proverbs 2:1-9). This is a call to search God’s Word.
When one searches God’s Word, then he shall understand the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God (verse 5), and then he shall understand
righteousness, judgment, equity, and every good path (verse 9). Solomon again
reminds, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee” (Proverbs
3:1-2).
Ways of Searching God’s Word
How will one
search God’s Word? There are various ways that a believer is able to search
God’s Word and appropriate it in his life.
Firstly, Through Faithful Preaching: Preaching is God’s appointed method to
expound the words of the Scripture and make it understandable to the people of
God. The Apostle Paul underlines the importance of the faithful preaching of
God’s Word as he writes to the believers in Rome, “How then shall they call on
him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom
they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall
they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath
believed our report? So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14-17). Therefore, Paul instructed Timothy, “Till I
come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy
4:13). Again in 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul writes to him, “Preach the word; be instant
in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.” As a minister of God, his paramount responsibility was to rightly
divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). It is, therefore, an imperative that
children of God must be willing to hear the Word of God being preached and take
heed to the instructions given from the Word.
Secondly, Through Daily Personal
Devotion: This is one
of the personal responsibilities of a child of God. He should begin the day
(and if possible close the day) with the Word of God being read and meditated
upon. The psalmist says, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day”
(Psalm 119:97). By doing so, the Word of God becomes a lamp unto his feet, and
a light unto his path (Psalm 119:105). This enables him to hide God’s Word in
his heart, so that he will not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).
Thirdly, Through Family Worship: Family worship must be an integral part
of our family life. A family that prays together stays together. The head of
the family, who is the husband, must take the initiative and lead the family in
worship. The format can be very simple—sing one or two hymns, read a portion of
the Scripture with some explanation, and finally a short time of prayer.
Fourthly, Through Corporate Study: God’s Word must be studied in-depth
through diligently searching the Scriptures. Bible study in small groups and
fellowship meetings provides an avenue to study the Scriptures in-depth. It is
important that a theologically trained person must lead the study so that the
possible danger of misinterpretation and wrong application of the Scriptures
can be avoided. Every Christian who desires to grow spiritually must be part of
at least one Bible Study Group.
Fifthly, Through Reading Good Christian
Materials: Good
Christian materials are valuable aids of learning God’s Word. Create a habit of
getting good Christian books and other resources and make use of them for your
spiritual growth. We, at Covenant, have started the Reformation Now ministry with this purpose of making theologically
sound materials available to the people of our country.
Personal Experience and the Word
Before we
conclude, there is a clarification to be made. Many Christians tend to examine
God’s Word in the light of their personal experiences, rather than examining
personal experiences in the light of God’s Word. This is a wrong approach, and
it brings much confusion to the Christian Church today. God’s Word has set
parameters for our lives and practices, and we must stay within that
parameters, no matter how our personal experiences are challenging or
fascinating. For example, when the Bible says that marriage union is for life
(till death part), divorce is not an option in marriage. Similarly, when the
Bible says marriage union is between man and woman, homosexuality is not part
of the system. Today many fascinating experiences have been rolled into the
Church, especially in the form of contemporary worship, which need to be
examined in the light of the Scripture, and that which are not sanctioned by
the Word, should be avoided.
Conclusion
God’s will for
Christians is never hidden, but God has clearly revealed it in His Word. We,
with humility of mind and obedient heart, search the Word and find the gems
therein, and pattern our lives accordingly. Regrettably, today Christians have
neglected the Word, and given more importance to personal experiences. Sound
biblical preaching and teaching of the Word is becoming a thing of the past. Many
preachers and teachers of the Word are not biblically trained. When was the
last time you heard a sound expository preaching of the Word from your church
pulpit? The pattern in many church worship services today is youths leading
praise and worship for 30-45 minutes and pastor preaching the Word for just 10-15
minutes. Sadly, Christians are becoming more and more intolerable to the
biblical preaching. Are you willing to sit in front of your Pastor or Preacher
to hear a biblical preaching for 45 minutes? Do you regularly attend a Bible
study taught by a biblically trained person? Do you have a daily, systematic,
personal quiet time with the Lord where you read God’s Word, meditate upon it,
and pray to God and commit your life to Him accordingly? Christians need to be
immersed in the Word that we would not be conformed to this world, but as the
Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, “be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God.” May the Lord help us that we be truly biblical Christians, Christians who
know the Word and live according to the Word.
