UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL (2)

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” – John 6:38

Following the Footsteps of Christ and Devotion to His Word constitute the basis for UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). God’s Will is revealed in His Word! This is particularly true of His universally-revealed Will, which Dr. Emerson Eggerich’s, author of ‘The 4 Wills of God’, summarized in the acronym “BAGS.”

Believe in Jesus Christ: “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the WILL of HIM who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6: 39-40).

Abstain from Sexual Sin: “For this is the WILL of GOD, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 The.4:3-5). Many people tend to think about God’s Will only with regards to big questions like, “What does God want me to do for a living?” But there are many areas where God has already revealed His will for us, and when we attend to these, the others become easier to discern.

Give Thanks in Everything: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you” (1The.5: 16-18). God’s Will is as simple as learning to be thankful, staying in steady communion with Him, and rejoicing no matter what.

Submit and Do What’s Right: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the WILL of GOD, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Pet.2: 13-15).

Each of these foundational commands of Christ and the apostles is declared to be the Will of God. They stand out from other Bible verses as distinctively identifying His Will. Though there is more to God’s Will than these four, if we ignore them, it is questionable that we will follow His other commands. Therefore, it’s a good ground for us to start from! As we acknowledge, understand, and obey these universal truths, God’s unique and perfect Will is activated in our lives. These four commands are like pivotal markers. Like the four points on a compass, they can help chart our life course; and as a checklist, enhance our doing of God’s Will.