4 keys to knowing God's will

Do not be foolish,

understand the Lord’s will. 

Ephesians 5:17

Knowing and doing God's will is an essential part of being a spiritually successful Christian. 

First, to know God’s will we start with an attitude of trust. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

Most of God's will involves that which applies to every believer. These are his standing orders. They are found in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount and throughout the Bible. We ought to begin there. If we are not faithful in these areas we cannot expect to be able to understand His specific will on a certain issue. This attitude of trust also involves our ultimate intent. Why ask if we are not going to obey? 

Second, to know God’s will we must seek Him through the Bible. “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may he thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

This requires devotional reading, deep study and reflection. Tap into the timeless principles of God's Word to understand how it applies directly to our situation. 

Third, to know God’s will we must seek Him through prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) 

The Holy Spirit impresses us with wisdom, insight, understanding, and discernment. He also gives us inner peace about our decisions. However, we must be tuned into God, to be sensitive to His subtle messages and nudges. 

Fourth, to know God’s will we must seek wise counsel. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15) 

Guidance can come from parents, teachers, pastors, and friends. It is important that we verify our impressions by insuring that other believers concur. We need to be spiritually accountable to others, who in turn offer guidance as we struggle with the path ahead. This is why Christianity is not experienced alone.

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

GET THE BOOK:

MasterLife: Developing a Rich Personal Relationship with the Master

Showing God's Love

“Who sinned,” the disciples asked Jesus upon encountering a man who'd been blind from birth, “this man or his parents?” (John 9:1-2)

It is commonly believed that one's physical state is a sign of God's judgment. A cousin of the tendency to “blame the victim.”

While we often want to debate the reasons for suffering and pain, Jesus cut the debate off abruptly. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)

Jesus saw this man's disability as an opportunity to show God's love by healing him. Jesus wants us to show God's love to those who suffer. In fact, he closely identifies with the suffering.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...’ ‘...Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36

Spiritually successful Christians serve others. In this way, we show God's love in practical ways. When we encounter a person in physical or spiritual pain, our first instinct ought to be to offer love and help. We must act quickly or lose opportunities. Hurting people will withdraw from church if they feel unloved. Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

View a video of “Sharing God's Love”

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

GET THE BOOK:

MasterLife: Developing a Rich Personal Relationship with the Master

Meeting 4 needs are central to disciple making

Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4) teaches four important needs that are met during the disciple making process.*

First, she needed SUSTENANCE. She came to the well seeking water. A person's felt-needs are a powerful attracting force. The Samaritan woman went to where the water was. Hungry people come to food pantries. Other felt-needs are social, educational, health, status, etc. A church can attract people by meeting some of these needs or, like Jesus, place themselves where these needs are being met; or both.

Second, she a needed SUPPORT. She needed a friend. She came to the well at noon to draw water, avoiding the judgmental stares of the town women. Imagine sitting alone in the school cafeteria at lunch or hiding in the bathroom to avoid the other children. Social isolation is a cruel burden.

Jesus reached out to the Samaritan woman across barriers of class, religion and ethnicity. We can build relationships with the people whose needs are being met by social ministry programs. They need kindness and friendship. Jesus identified closely with people in need. He said when we minister to them we minister to him.

Third, she needed SALVATION. Jesus turned the conversation to spiritual things by speaking about living water. We need to verbally tell people about Jesus. That is the most important part of the disciple making process. We all have physical and social needs but our need for salvation is paramount. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Fourth, she needed SIGNIFICANCE. Having found her Savior, she left her jar of water behind and returned to the town to tell others about Jesus. She had a new purpose. She started out seeking to meet a physical need and left having had a greater need fulfilled.

Nothing can bring more significance to our lives than serving our Lord. We are called to bring relief to the suffering, relationships to the lonely, redemption to the lost and inviting to them to join in the work of the gospel.

*Based on a sermon by Craig Christina, Associate Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT)