Understanding and Doing the Will of God Once and For ALL
By: Dr. Rickey A. Nation, Ph.D.
I believe most Christians have asked this question in their walk of faith. What is the will of God for my life? I know I have asked this question many times. Believe it or not, people in Jesus’ day were struggling with the same issue. What is the will of God?
In John 7:12 we see the people of Jesus’ day wrestling with this issue as the Bible records, “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but He deceiveth the people.” As usual, Jesus took the opportunity to lay a foundation for divine guidance or how to understand the will of God. Jesus states in John 7:16-17 “…My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” Therefore, the first prerequisite to the knowing and understanding the will of God is a whole-heartedness to do His will. One of the main reasons some precious Believers never discover God’s will is because there is not a whole-heartedness to know God’s will. The order of Scriptures is know then do/obey. Are you willing to seek God with your whole heart so He can reveal Himself to you? Proverbs 8:17 reveals, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
After purposing or determining in your heart to do God’s will, what’s next? Seek your new identity in Christ. What’s that? An identity means to identify with something or someone. In this teaching , we are concerned about identifying with Jesus. Some identity statements are as follows: “I am the salt of the earth,” (Matthew 5:13); “I am the light of the world,” (Matthew 5:14); “I am a child of God,” (John 1:12); “I am Christ’s friend,” (James 15:15); “I am a servant of righteousness,” (Romans 6:18); “I am a new creation designed for His glory,” (II Corinthians 5:17). These statements reveal what God says about us and whom we now are in Him. These statements, and many more like them, reveal God’s will about whom we are as His children.
So, what is Gods will for our lives? Dr. Neil Anderson, best selling author, reveals in “Freedom In Christ” a devotional, “God’s will for those who believe in Him is to be alive in Christ [knowing my new identity] for the purpose of establishing His Kingdom by overcoming the evil one and becoming fully the people He has called us to be.”
Surrender today and begin asking God to reveal Himself to you as well as committing to grow in your new identity. As you do, God will begin to make known to you His perfect plan for your life.
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