Discovering God’s Will

Today, we will focus on the situational method of discovering God’s will. It is through His Word and the principles that are displayed there. And especially through the life and teaching of Jesus.

What steps do you take to discern the will of God?

In the process of discovering God’s will, we will start with Paul’s letter to the Romans.  He has worked through lots of doctrines through the first of the letter, but here he gets to the core of what he is telling them.  To “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” was somewhat oxymoronic because most sacrifices require ending life.  But to be a living sacrifice refers to those things in our lives that interfere with our relationship with God.  While none will be perfect, we strive for HIS will (and not our own.)  Not to what is pleasing to our neighbors, the world, or even our family.  But to first and foremost to be pleasing to God.  Not exactly synonymous with knowing God’s will, but it is on the right path to being in the place to know God’s will.

In a relationship with another person, there can big trouble on the horizon when we are not on the right path to knowing one another.  Communication is key and understanding the expectations of the other person allow us to know where the relationship is going.  And when we talk about the most intimate relationships, the fall can be even greater when understanding is lacking.

So as we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, we are making ourselves pleasing to God.

Do not conform to the patterns of the world.  There are pressures to fall into step with so many different things.  There are so many articles we read where the church is conforming to social issues contrary to God’s Word.  They want to be measured by the world instead of God.  But we will be tests against the world.  And it will be a struggle.  But Paul reminds us that renewing of our mind comes sometimes through the struggles in the world.  We are to welcome the renewing of our minds, even in troubling times, that will transform us into the image of His Son.

Then when our minds are renewed, we will then be able to discern God’s will.  Discernment is taking the word of God, the renewing of our minds by putting God first and foremost, and then interpreting situations through that filter.

It would be convenient for God to write his will on the wall in front of us for every situation.  But God works through His Word to renew our minds so that we can discover that will in each situation.  The is the same as Paul describes in  where we are to find out what pleases the Lord.

Believe in the one God sent, be a living sacrifice, and discover God’s Will for your life day after day.