As
new Believers in Jesus Christ, we often struggle with the concept of the will
of God. This is such a huge topic, that we have trouble pinpointing the
specifics of what God requires of us.
God's
Word readily teaches us what God wants. His first priority is for all men
everywhere to be saved, and to come to an understanding of His truth. This
pleases God and our Savior Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9).
He
shows us what is good and what He requires of us: to act justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with Him in the center of his perfect will for us (Micah 6:8;
Ephesians 2:10).
Our
Father exhorts us not to be foolish, but to understand what His will is for
each moment of our day. He desires that we allow Him to fill us with His
Spirit, so that we can encourage one another (Ephesians 5:17-18).
He
will equip us with everything we need to do His will, if we allow Him to work, through
Christ in us, that which is pleasing to Him. We live according to His good
pleasure (Hebrews 13:20-21; Luke 9:23; Philippians 2:12-13).
He
wants us to be sanctified and to avoid giving our soul and body over to sinful
practices (1 Thessalonians 4:3). If we honestly confess our sins to Him, He is
faithful and just to forgive us and to purify us (1 John 1:9).
God
calls us to continually pray, to rejoice, and to give thanks to Him regardless
of our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). By doing good, we silence the
ill-informed words of imprudent people (1 Peter 2:15).
We
can reject the temptations to willfully sin; and instead, we can sing His
praises and make music in our heart all day long. We always give thanks to God
for everything in the name of Jesus our Lord and King - even for negative
experiences, because they tend to draw us closer to His heart (Ephesians
5:19-20; Proverbs 16:4).
Prayer:
Father
God, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path (Psalm 119:105).
If we lack wisdom, all we need to do is to ask You for it, because You
generously give us Your wisdom without finding fault with us (James 1:5). We
look forward to Your Kingdom coming on earth, even as it is now already in
Heaven (Matthew 6:10).
Help
us to be careful of how we live - as wise, spiritual people, rather than as
unwise, foolish, carnal people. Remind us to make the most of every opportunity
to share Your love and Your gospel, because these last days are increasingly
evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). You have shown us what You want us to do - to act
righteously, to love mercy and to walk humbly before You (Micah 6:8).
Thought
for the Day:
We
trust in the Lord with our whole heart, and we stop relying on our human
understanding; we totally surrender every area of our life to Him as He directs
our steps; and if we persevere until His coming, we will receive His promise for
us to live in His Kingdom.
- Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 10:36
