The Tribune

By CARLOS SPENCER

The single most important duty of the believer in both life and ministry is knowing and carrying out God’s will. The critical question is how do we know God’s will?

Very simply, the will of God is always to be found in His word. We should constantly strive to be amongst the few who are saved and not the many who are lost. We are provided with guidance found in Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) where Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Believing in God and calling Jesus’ name will not in itself get us to heaven; we are still lost if we do not do what God requires of us. We can only get to heaven by accepting and performing the will of the Father. There is no other way. Not the will of others; not our will; but the will of God. Scripture provides adequate direction about the will of God.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) we are told by the apostle Paul: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

God’s will is further explained in 1 Peter 2:15 (KJV): “For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

We obtain insight in Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV): “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Paul writes in Philippians 2:13 (KJV): “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Again, Paul provides guidance concerning God’s will in Romans 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.”

Paul goes on to say in Romans 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.”

Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) states: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Jesus says in John 6:38 (KJV): “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Here we observe Jesus submitting to the will of God as he did throughout his life, even unto death on the cross.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) records: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end.” James 1:5 (KJV) puts it all into perspective: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraitheth not; and it shall be given him.”

We can distinguish between three disparate voices which speak to us: The voice of demons or Satan, our own human voice, and the voice of God. The voice of God comes primarily through His word, and shall always represent God’s will. We should seek to listen out for God’s voice on a daily basis and become obedient to His voice. God will also speak directly to our hearts in quiet, still moments. The more we focus on God and His word, the more He will reveal things to us as we carry out His will. Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His word.