The mystery of God's will. Something I will never understand. Are we in His will no matter what physical thing we are doing as long as we are seeking Him, or are there specific life paths we are supposed to take? Will we ever know in this lifetime?
Here are some verses I am clinging to:
Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Jason and Dawn
About Me
- Dawn
- I am 30 years old, married eight years to the most wonderful man in the world, Jason. I am a Christian and I love my Savior. My goal is to bring Him glory each and every day. Here is my life verse: Psalm 73:25
6 comments:
Hi Dawn,
This is something that I struggled with for a long time. Then I was introduced to a book called 'Decision Making and the Will of God' by Garry Friesen. I highly recommend the book or the seminar based on it by Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason.
I was always taught to pray and then, if I was spiritually mature enough, I would somehow sense the leading of God in this issue or that. I'm sure you've heard people talk about getting feelings of peace about a decision or feeling a tugging by the Holy Spirit, that kind of thing. The problem is, those things are never taught in the Bible as ways to determine God's will. There are a lot of things in the Bible that show his will: don't kill anyone unjustly, be fair in your business dealings, love one another, etc. Beyond that, the verses that you posted (among others) are to lead us in our decision making.
I feel that as long as I am not violating what God has already stated in his word, and I am using wisdom having prayed for it, I am free to do anything that I want to do from what color socks to wear to what career choices to make to where to live.
Even open doors are not necessarily indications of God's mandatory will for our lives. Paul was torn over which way to go and he says that a door was opened for him, but he chose not to take it (I don't recall off hand where that was written).
Wisdom, our understanding of the Word of God, and even our own desires are to be used to make decisions. That's my understanding on determining the will of God.
Take a look at the book or Greg Koukl's seminar on it. It was eye opening for me.
There's my 2¢. I hope it's helpful.
Jono
Dawn,
The passage I mentioned about Paul not taking a door that God had opened was 2Cor 2:12-13.
"Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia." (NASB)
God opened a door for Paul in Troas, but Paul, being worried about Titus, decided not to take the open door. In 1Cor 16:8-9, Paul talks about God opening "a wide door for effective service"; Paul decided to take that door.
Put those 2 situations together, and I come to the conclusion that Paul did not see an open door from God as a mandate to go through the door.
Again, I hope this helps.
Jono
This is interesting stuff! Thank you GeoJono for your comments and to you Dawn for making me think about this - again. I can't wait to get together with you (is it REALLY as far away as January?) and the rest of the girls to discuss this. I also read a good book on this topic called, Chasing Daylight - by Erwin Mcmanus.
Jono, thanks so much for your thoughts. I can't seem to get a handle on this concept of God's will and I really appreciate your comments. I am definitely getting that book. Thanks again!
I am still waiting for "Decision Making and the Will of God" from Amazon. Have you started reading it yet?
Yes, I have started reading it. Let me know when you get it.
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