We Know God's Will Through His Word

First of all, and most important, the will of God means believing Christ (John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The eternal life may be had, if it be not our own fault; that whereas, upon the sin of the first Adam, the way of the tree of life was blocked up, by the grace of the second Adam it is laid upon again. The crown of glory is set before us as the prize of our high calling, which we may run for and obtain.) if we do not take this first step in doing God's will, we will not be saved from judgment (Matthew 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Why and upon what grounds, he rejects them and their plea--because they were workers of iniquity. It is possible for men to have a great name for piety, and yet be workers of iniquity; and those that are so will receive a greater damnation. Secret haunts of sin, kept under the cloak of a visible profession, will the ruin of the hypocrites. Living in known sin nulifies men's pretensions, be they ever so specious. Matthew 12:50 For whoever will do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. The nearest rrelatives must be comparatively hated. that is, we must them less than Christ, our duty to God must have preference. And we must not take it ill of our friends, nor put it upon the score of their wickedness, if they prefer the pleasing of God before the pleasing of us; but we must readily forgive those neglects which may be easily imputed to a pious zeal for God's glory and others good). if we do, we will live forever (1 John 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever. The object of his love in opposition to the world that passes away, abides forever; his sacred passion or affection, in opposition to the lust the lust that passes away, abides forever; love will never fail; and he himself is an heir of immortality and endless life, and will in time be translated thither).

Second there are clear statements of Scripture which teach that God's will for every Christian includes santification(1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethern, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. They are asleep. They have fallen asleep in Christ. Death does not annihilate them. It is but a sleep to them. It is their rest, and undisdturbed rest. They have retired out of this troublesome world, to rest from all their labors and sorrows, and they sleep in Jesus. Being still in union with him, they sleep in his arms and are under special care and protection.), giving thanks to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. If we pray without ceasing, we will not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing. As we must in every thing make our request known to God by supplications, we must not omit thanksgiving.) doing good (1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: A Christian must endeavour, in all relations, to behave himself so as to put to silence the unreasonable reproaches of the most ignorant and foolish men, and suffering for doing the right thing (1 Peter 3:17 For is is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing) The apostle supposes here that a man may suffer for both. If the sufferings for well-doing be so severe, what will the sufferings of wicked people be for evil-doing? It is a sad condition which that person is in upon whom sin and suffering meet together at the sae time; this makes sufferings to be extreme, unprofitable, comfortless, and destructive.

Third, the Bible is God's will and must be applied to our lives (Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law). This fact involves commands to be obeyed, principles to be followed, prohibiting the things to be avoided, and living examples to be imitated or shunned. An attitude of delightful desire should fill all attempts to do God's will (Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yes your law is within my heart). Your law is within my heart; it is written there, it rules there.Is it meant of the law concerning the work and office of the Mediator, what he was to do and suffer; this law was dear to him and has an influence upon him in his whole undertaking. When the law of God is written in our hearts our duty will be our delight. God takes great joy in those who cheerfully do his will.

Although the Bible is a complete revelation of God's will, there are always decisions we must make that are not covered by specific statements of Scripture. In order to know God's will in such instances we must be in fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:6, 7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: Bur if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin) As the blessed God is eternal boundless light, and the Mediator is, from him, the light of the world, so the Christan institution is the great luminary that appears in our sphere, and shines here below. A conformity to this in spirit and practice demonstrates fellowship or communion with God, seek principles from the Word. (1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.) Carnal desires get head by indulgence, and therefore should be observed and checked in their first rise: if once they prevail, and bear sway in us, we know not whither they will carry us. This caution stands first, because carnal appetites indulged are the root and source of much sin, obtain advice from godly counselors (Proverbs 11:14 Were no counsel is; the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. In our private affairs we will often find it to our advantage to advise with many; if they agree in their advice, our way be the more clear; if they differ, we will hear what is to be said on all sides, and be the better able to determine. Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are dissappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel you will make your war: and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety), use common sense, and remember that God works through our own minds and desire to do His will (Philippians 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure). When none of these principles seem to work, we must simply make the best possible decision, realizing that God will shut the door if it is not His will. Paul, for example planned to go and see the Roman Christians, although not knowing if God permit in His will (Romans 15:22-32 For which cause also I have much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I takae my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But not I go unto Jerusalem to minster unto the saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethern, For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and my you be refreshed. Now the God of Peace be with you all. Amen.). In most cases, however, the believer who thoroughly searches the Word will find the basis for and intelligent decision.