FINDING GOD'S WILL
by Dr. Ken Matto
Let us look at the mystery of the ages which is the Will of God. The will of God has plagued Christians down through the ages since there seems to be much mystery surrounding it. Many Christians go from coast to coast trying to find God’s will for their life. Is it really a mystery? Must we go from cradle to grave trying to seek God’s will for our lives? I believe the Bible has given clear direction regarding God’s will for our life. We get into trouble when we take our desires and try to make them God’s will for our life. In essence we impose our desired will on our life and completely miss God’s will. If we take the following Scriptures we will see some specific principles which will help uncover the will of God.
The word "will" in the following verses may also be translated, "choice, determination, but specifically purpose." If we take the word "purpose" and substitute it for the word "will," we will see how clear the meaning of these verses become.
(1 Cor 1:1 KJV) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will [purpose] of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Paul was called an apostle for the purpose of God. Let’s pose the question, what was God’s purpose for Paul? God’s purpose for Paul was to start churches in various parts of Asia and help sustain them plus write a portion of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
(Eph 5:17 KJV) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will [purpose] of the Lord is.
This verse seems to be the pivotal verse in this entire chapter since it warns us to walk properly in the faith and that we must no longer identify with the ways of the world. This verse is a warning to us that we must understand that the will of God is to walk circumspectly.
(Eph 6:6 KJV) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will [purpose] of God from the heart;
This verse states that we should do God’s work with a true heart and not to impress others. The purpose of God for every believer is a heartfelt service for Him.
(1 Th 4:3 KJV) For this is the will [purpose] of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
This verse states the will of God is possessive sanctification. We are already sanctified in position because of our salvation but Paul is telling us to possess our sanctification. This means that we have been set apart by God for God, and we must live the separated life in both body and mind.
(1 Th 5:18 KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will [purpose] of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
This verse tells us the believer is to be thankful in all things. This thanksgiving must be from the heart and not the lips.
(1 John 2:17 KJV) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will [purpose] of God abideth for ever.
This verse tells us the believer is to walk in the purpose of God which is obedience. This is a "proof of salvation" verse because John is telling us that if someone does God’s will they will abide forever. This is not referring to works which some believe lead to salvation but is speaking of doing the will of God as a result of salvation. We are the testimonies to an evil world as we walk according to God’s word. Our works are the manifestation of our salvation.
In these six verses we have seen the will [purpose] of every believer is to live a holy and obedient life. This is the first prerequisite for discovering the will of God for your life. Sin hinders our relationship with God. When a Christian sins, they block out God’s voice of guidance which is not an audible voice. If you are living in sin, do not expect God to communicate His will for your life because He cannot reach you because of the sin interference. I wish to turn to a specific purpose which God has given to every believer. (Mat 28:19-20 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The second purpose a believer has is to spread the gospel to the entire world. Each believer has a part in this and God holds cheap and lazy Christians accountable for their non-participation in this command. I fail to understand why some Christians believe they are exempt from this command while others must foot the bills for their incompliance. If Christians would tithe and stop screaming legalism, God’s program of world evangelism would be well funded.
Why is it when we want to do something nice for ourselves we are under grace but as soon as the preacher mentions tithing, suddenly we call it law and throw up our theological arguments? The second prerequisite for finding the personal will of God in our lives is the desire to do our part in the Great Commission.
The third area God gives us to find His personal will in our lives is Spiritual Gifts. Each of us must discover which spiritual gift(s) we possess, so we may begin to search out our proper place of service. For example, the gift of mercy would not make a good ruler, nor the gift of prophecy a good counselor. God has given spiritual gifts with certain parameters. The third prerequisite for finding the will of God is knowing your spiritual gift. This is a must if a Christian is to find their proper sphere of service.
The reasons so many Christians feel out of place in their present sphere of service is that they have a spiritual gift which differs from the job they are doing. A quick analogy would be that you would not call a plumber to hook up electricity. Many times believers work outside the parameters because help is hard to find so we wear many hats. We have heard it said that ten percent of the people do ninety percent of the work. Many Christians view Christianity as a spectator sport and as a result others have to do twice the amount of work. This results in many Christians doing jobs they are not spiritually empowered to do.
The fourth area which God gives us to find His will for our life is our talents. Has God given the ability to sing, write, preach, organize, fix things, make things, cook, bake, handle children, handle senior citizens, teach, listen, etc. What is your talent or talents? List what you believe are your talents and don’t neglect the obvious ones. Finding your talents will help you determine where you can serve God best. The fourth prerequisite for finding the personal will of God is knowing your talents.
Let’s list the prerequisites:
A person who has the gift of teaching and the ability to sing, may sing Christian songs with lyrics that teach truth from the Bible.
A person who has the gift of ruling and can bake may open a bakery with the purpose of supporting Christian missions.
A person with the gift of mercy and the talent to cook may invite a poor person to their home for a meal and a witness. They may volunteer at a rescue mission or soup kitchen.
The combination of spiritual gifts and talents are limited only by the creativity of the Creator. The will of God is wherever God has placed you at this moment with the spiritual gifts you possess and the talents you possess as you are presently using them. If you believe God wants you to make a move, do your research because there are many voices out there and they are all not of God. Satan loves to confuse the believer and does a good job of it unless we stay spiritually astute.
If God wants you to move, He will initiate the procedure. Have you ever been laid off from a job? This is one method God uses to initiate a move in a person’s life. Many times Christians will run ahead of God and this is where confusion enters in. If God begins to put a move into your heart, then at that point begin to prepare yourself for the time when God will finalize your move.
The key word is prepare just as the Israelites prepared to move when the pillar of fire or cloud moved. If you prepare, the transition will be less traumatic. God’s will for your life is not a mystery if we just enact the four prerequisites listed
God does not want His will for us to be a mystery because if He did, how would we get the gospel out? God has made it plain and simple for us, all we need do is apply the principles. Let me inject the fact that sometimes God makes us wait for His timing. If you are convinced God wants you to do something, just because he makes you wait does not mean you are out of the will of God.
God has a purpose for every single believer, no matter who they are or what their social status is. Do not let the term "God’s Will" frighten you because as His child He has promised you guidance and wisdom for your life.
(Psa 73:24 KJV) Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
(James 1:5 KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(Mark 3:35 KJV) For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
(Acts 13:36 KJV) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
(Rom 1:10 KJV) Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
(Rom 8:27 KJV) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom 15:32 KJV) That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
(2 Cor 1:1 KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: