What Is God’s Will?
Memory verse: I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing (John 15:5)
When people seek to know and do God’s will, many ask the question, what is God’s will for my life? One of my seminary professors, Gaines S. Dobbins, used to say, “if you ask the wrong question, you will get the wrong answer”. Sometimes we assume every question is legitimate. However, when we ask the wrong question, we may find an answer but remain disoriented to God and His activity. Always check to see whether you have asked the right question before you pursue the answer.
What is God’s will for my life? Is not the right question. I think the proper question is, “what is God’s will? Once I know God’s will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life.
When I want to learn how to know and do God’s will, I can find no better model than Jesus’ life. During Hos approximately 33 years on earth, He perfectly completed every assignment the Father gave Him. He never failed to do the will of the Father. He never sinned. Would you like to understand how Jesus came to know and do His Father’s will?
Read John 5:17,19-20 and answer the questions…
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” So, Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel”
Who is always at work?
How much can the Son do Himself?
What does the Son do?
Why does the Father show the Son what He is doing?
Jesus’ approach to knowing and doing His Father’s will can be outlined like this:
Jesus’ Example
The Father has been working right up until now
Now the Father has me working
I do nothing on my own initiative
I watch to see what the Father is doing
I do what I see the Father doing
The Father loves me
He shows me everything He is doing
This model applies to your life personally and to your church. It is not a step-by-step approach for knowing and doing God’s will. It describes a love relationship through which God accomplishes His purposes. I sum it up in this way: watch to see where God is working and join Him!