How to Follow God's Will
Have you ever wondered what to do in a situation where the Bible does not give specific direction?
Should I take this job or that one? Should we move here or there? Should we plan this trip or buy this car? What should I say in this kind of situation? What should I do with my life?
It’s safe to say we’ve all felt this way at some point in our life.
One of the most common questions students asked me when I was working in youth ministry was “How do I know God’s will for my life?”
It’s almost as if people want a list of “do” and “don’t” that would help make decisions easier. But the Christian life is not about following a list of rules. In the Grace Course, Steve Goss and Rich Miller talk about a study we commissioned the Barna Research Group to do regarding how people saw the Christian life. 82% of churched people agreed with the statement, “The Christian life is well-summed up as trying hard to obey God’s commands.” The only problem with this statement is that it’s completely wrong. A person doesn’t have to be a Christian to try hard and obey rules!
Here at Freedom in Christ, we clearly teach that God’s over-riding will for our lives is that we would be “conformed to the image of Christ” in our character (Romans 8:28-29). In fact, God’s desire is that every event and circumstance of our lives will be used toward that goal and thus for our good.
But, like I stated at the beginning, what about when we’re not sure what to do in a given situation?
In 2 Corinthians chapters 1 & 2, the Apostle Paul reflects on what Jesus has already done in the past to secure our hope for the future, so he can know how to live in the present. You see, Paul had made plans to visit the Church at Corinth, and then those plans fell through. Some people in the church were using that in their argument to say Paul was not a legitimate apostle.
But as Paul wrote to them for at least the fourth time in what we now know as 2 Corinthians, he stated that his conscience was clear because “we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God-given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly wisdom but by God’s grace” (2 Corinthians 1:12, HCSB). Even though Paul’s intended trip to visit them had fallen through, he was indicating that his conscience was clear because—morally—he was innocent. He had made the plans in all sincerity, understanding God could change them at any time.
So many of us want the details of God’s will because it’s much easier to follow a list than to do the hard work of discerning what to do to bring glory to God. As commentator Scott J. Hafemann put it, “in order to act ethically in a complex situation for which there is no direct scriptural mandate, Paul does the hard work of reflecting theologically on the significance of Christ within God’s plan of redemption… the key question to be asked is… What course of action best reflects what Chris has accomplished for us in redemptive history, so that the Trinitarian God will be honored for his merciful actions toward us?” (NIV Application Commentary, 2 Corinthians, p. 92-93)
Based on his reflection, the Apostle Paul says, “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor 1:21-22, ESV).
Paul is saying that God, through Christ, has placed us together on stable, sure ground. He has established us secure in Christ. Not only that, but God has anointed us for his service and pledged His commitment to keep us on the right path by giving us His Spirit.
Paul then gives the Corinthians direction regarding a member of their church who had been disciplined for persistent sin. Because they were established together, anointed for ministry, and given the promised Holy Spirit, they could venture out and seek reconciliation with this man. They were able to receive the repentant brother back into the church without fear. In fact, because of their foundation in Christ, Paul said they could take these uncertain steps from a heart of love as Paul had done toward them. All of this was so that the enemy of our souls could not get access to the Church to divide it (see 2 Corinthians 2:1-11).
Paul expressed a clear conscience in regard to his failed plans because of the stable foundation of Christ. He then encouraged the Corinthian Church to step out and try this reconciliation. Although uncertain of the outcome, they could rest in the finished work of Christ who established them on solid ground, anointed them for ministry, and pledged Himself to finish the work He had begun (see also Philippians 1:6).
Dear Saints, if you are wondering what God’s will is in your situation, you can step out and make a reasonable plan, holding it loosely under God’s sovereign leadership. How? Because through Christ, He has already made you secure and given you His Holy Spirit to finish what He started in you. Not only that, but He has promised to enable you for ministry no matter what circumstances occur.
Go forth in confidence with Christ!