YOU WILL KNOW THE SPECIFIC WILL OF GOD WHEN….
The topic ‘will of God’ is a delicate but interesting topic worth discussing. In Christendom, this issue has come up several times because born again persons would always want to know the ‘will of God’ for their lives. Knowing the ‘will of God’ for our lives is so important in living fulfilled lives on earth and being a blessing to people in the world. If one knows the ‘will of God’ for his/her life, one is able to serve mankind better. How do we know the specific will of God?
First of all, most of God’s will for us is already revealed in His word. God’s word ( the Bible) was given to mankind through inspiration of God and is profitable for several things –for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The bible contains almost all of God’s will for us! The basic important truths that we need to live God’s will are enshrined in the bible.
Secondly, repeated statements in the bible indicate the will of God for us. “But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept…..line upon line; here a little and there a little…” (Isaiah 28:13). God tells us the same thing several times for the purpose of emphasis. Once we notice some of these things in the bible, we should know that they are the will of God for man. For instance, we are encouraged several times “not to fear”.
How have we made time to study the bible beyond mere reading like an ordinary story book? We must be diligent in the study of the bible and do our best to obey it. What the bible has is the basics of His will for our lives. Without obedience to this, it will be difficult to know other of God’s will not specifically enshrined in the bible which comes by revelation from the Holy Spirit and is in consonance with the revealed word in the bible.
The missionary work of Paul is a classic example regarding God’s will. Paul and Barnabas decided to visit some towns where they had already preached the Gospel and to find out how the brethren were doing (Acts 15:36). Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia but the Holy Spirit did not allow them to preach the word in the province of Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16). Paul was obeying God’s will of sending the word to all the nations of the world but this time, the Holy Spirit did not allow them to preach in that particular region at that particular time. In his obedience to the basics, the Holy Spirit was directing him on the specifics to do. It is like an analogy of a writer, a ship’s course can be changed once it is moving. A similar scenario happened to the servant of Abraham when he was sent out to look for a wife for Isaac. “….I being on the way, the Lord led me….” (Genesis 24:27).
We will know the specific will of God when we start walking in the basics that have already been revealed in His word. Put in another way, start doing something precious with your hands (whilst obeying the word) and as you go on, the Holy Spirit will lead you on the specifics to do. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).
