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Knowing the Will of God

by David A. DePra

 
     How can we know the will of God for our lives? This seems
a simple enough question. But thousands of Christians struggle
with it every day. They cannot seem to discover God's will.
     There are many techniques people use to try to find God's will.
Some ask other Christians what God's will is for them. And
unfortunately, there are some Christians more than eager to
volunteer the answer. Others try to coerce God into telling them
His will by doing what they would define as "good works." Still
yet others seek to find the will of God by going to a certain church,
joining a prayer group, or by sitting under a wise teacher.
     None of these things are what God tells us we must do to find
His will for our lives. God actually gives a very precise command
on the matter. Jesus said, "If any man wills to do His will, he shall
know.." (John 7:17) In other words, if you want to know whether
something is true; if you want to discern the will of God, get your
heart unconditionally surrendered to it. Be willing to do the will
of God even before you know it. An unconditional surrender to
God is the prerequisite for knowing His will.
     We usually get this backwards. We think that we must first
KNOW the will of God, and then surrender to it. But no. God says
to first surrender to Him, and then you'll be able to discern His
will.
     Paul the apostle taught exactly the same thing. He wrote, "I
beseech you brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship. And be not conformed to this world, but be you
transformed by the renewing of your mind, THAT YOU MAY
PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT
WILL OF GOD." (Romans 12:1-2)
     How does Paul say we can come to discern the will of God? By
presently ourselves to God, as a living sacrifice. In other words,
by unconditionally surrendering to God. By losing our life to Him.
An unconditional surrender to God is something we must do
again and again, over many specific circumstances. But it is also
an overall attitude which we must adopt. We must approach life
as if we do not belong to ourselves; do not have the last word. We
continually hand ourselves over to God for whatever He wants --
even if we don't have a clue as to "whatever" might be.
     "If any man wills to do His will, he shall know." That willing
heart of obedience, even if it doesn't perform very well when put
into words and actions, is what God is primarily after in us. God
knows all about our imperfections, and about our inability to
understand what He is doing. But any child can surrender to God.
It takes only a choice to stand by faith against all that would move
me from my surrender and trust in Jesus Christ. If I will make
that choice and stick by it, God says. I will prove what is that
perfect will of God.
     A remarkable thing happens when I surrender to God and
stand by faith. I not only grow to KNOW the will of God,
both generally and specifically, but I grow to BECOME the will of
God. I become a personification of His grace.

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