Unraveling The Mystery of God's Will!

Does God’s plan for your life strike you as mysterious? Do you refer to God’s will as something that needs to be found, that is, “I’m trying to find God’s will for me”? Well, you will be pleased to know that discovering God’s specific plan concerning a certain opportunity is not as difficult as we sometimes think it is. I do not mean to imply that it is always simple to know what God wants us to do in every instance, but sometimes and even many times it is quite simple. If you view God’s will as too mysterious to know or as hidden somewhere and you cannot find it, then I have good news. God’s will has actually been unraveled for us in many respects in the Bible. That is correct! God even spells it out at times using terms like “this is the will of God.” Consider the following observations for unraveling God's plan for you.

God’s Word Spells out His Will for Us through Specific Mandates.

Our tendency to misread God’s plan can be significantly reduced by “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). God’s will can be known and understood by us!  Ephesians 5:17,  says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding [connecting concepts together in the mind] what the will of the Lord is.” Understanding is like collecting the pieces of a puzzle and putting them together. The mind must grasp concepts and see the proper relationship between them. Correlating and comparing Scripture well is central to this exercise. Obviously this requires serious thinking on our part—we must exercise our mental muscles while we trust the Lord to teach us His Word.

“Understanding” implies placing biblical precepts together with practical applications and usage. This involves mentally comprehending ideas in order to govern oneself according to God’s pleasure and will. In doing so we transfer the biblical idea into our modern context for application. By following this prescription, we can largely reduce misunderstandings, misconceptions, misapplications, and general misreading of God’s will! Again this demands discipline and exertion of mental energy in conjunction with a hardy dependence upon the Spirit of Grace. 

God’s Plan for our lives is not hidden, incomprehensible, nor mysterious. In fact God desires for His people to be well informed and actuating His will daily. But it may require engaging all our mental powers to arrive at what the Lord wants to achieve through us. God still teaches His children His Word very readily, but we must assume the spiritual posture of patient humility and receptivity before Him. So then, to guard against misconceptions related to God’s will, gain a practical awareness of specific Bible statements related to God’s will and their workable implications. Please note thoughtfully what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9-10, For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Note This Prayer for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:9).

Paul’s primary request was that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will. There are two key words, “filled” and “knowledge” to consider. “Filled” refers to a filling out to completeness, and “knowledge” suggests a full, deep understanding. This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19). An open Bible, a willingness to study and think, and an attitude of humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit will lead to such fullness and knowledge!

·                    Such knowledge of God’s will does not come from a fleshly mind (which “puffs up,” 1 Cor. 8:1), but the Holy Spirit enlightens a believer’s inner person (1 Cor. 2:5-6, 13), with the Word of God.

·                    “Wisdom” is, practical know-how which comes from God (James 1:5; 3:15), and it is also the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture. Actually wisdom applies knowledge in the best ways.

·                    “Spiritual Understanding” speaks of clear analysis and decision-making while applying spiritual knowledge to various problems—the application of Bible principles to daily living. Understanding sees what agrees and what conflicts with God’s will. God’s will, revealed in the Bible, is made known to Believers by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry. Like Paul, we too must pray to be filled with the knowledge of God's plan for the day.

Note This Purpose for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:10).

Why did the Apostle Paul want the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? [1:10] Was it so they might become mighty preachers or sensational teachers? Was it so they might attract large followings to themselves, as the Gnostics sought to do?

·                    No, the true purpose of spiritual wisdom and understanding is to enable Christians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. Here we have a very important lesson on the subject of guidance. God does not reveal His will to us in order to satisfy our curiosity, make us appear more astute, nor to impress other Christians with our 'knowledge'. Neither is it intended to cater to our ambition or to massage our pride. Rather the Lord shows us His will for our lives in order that we might please Him in all that we do. (McDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Exercise: the following are some precepts directly form the New Testament outlining specific requirements for all Believers.

What does the Bible say about God’s will for us?

1.    God Wills that We Be Saved (2Pet. 3:9; 1Tim. 2:4).

2.    God Wills that We Be Spirit-Filled (Eph. 5:15-18).

3.    God Wills that We Be Thankful in Everything (1Thess. 5:18).

4.    God Wills that We are set apart from sin and unto His purposes (1Thess. 4:3-5).

5.    God Wills that We Be Submissive to Legitimate Authority (1Pet. 2:13-15).

6.    God Wills that We Suffer for Christ’s Sake (1Pet. 4:12-16, 19).

7.    God Wills that We Glorify Him with all our Opportunities (1Pet. 4:16; 1Cor. 6:20; 10:31).

The Lord Jesus epitomized all of these mandates and is the supreme example for all aspects of God’s will (see John 4:4; 5:19, 30; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2). Honestly if we truly lived this way in the energy of the Holy Spirit, there would be little else to consider or to decide upon with regard to God’s plan. Also bear in mind that God does afford us a measure of latitude and freedom regarding decision making on small inconsequential matters. There are times and instances when He in His sovereignty literally leaves the choice with us. You see, if a person is genuinely Spirit-filled and submissive to Christ's authority over their entire being, there is no design to behave in sinful ways

In conclusion, Ephesians 5:15, counsels us to "See then that ye walk circumspectly [exactly, precisely, diligently, accurately], not as fools, but as wise,   (Also see Col. 4:5). That is, walk or proceed with clear direction from God. Live each day knowing exactly what God expects and with confidence in the type of life He prescribes. Once you know what He requires, proceed with precise adherence and compliance. Walk circumspectly before your Lord. Much like a person walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon proceeds with preciseness and accuracy; let us walk with exactitude in the plan of God for us. Again He has disclosed His will in His Word there is no reason to be mystified regarding His plan.

Yes, there will still be times when we need to make a decision and we will feel uncertain about how to proceed. This is no indication that God has failed to direct. It may mean we need to dig some in the Word and pray far more for wisdom from God. It may also mean we need to connect spiritual principles one with another like the pieces of a puzzle in order to discern God’s plan in a particular matter. I am afraid God has been blamed far too often for hiding His will when the key to knowing it is a matter of research on our part.

The Lord never intended for His will to be mysterious or confusing. He does not hide it and taunt us as we try to find it or figure it out. God’s will is not hidden nor is it lost! Through the Word, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and prayer we can understand exactly what God’s will is and make decisions in the light of it. In doing so, we limit and reduce our vulnerability to deceptions related to His plan for our lives. God not only want us to know His will but to execute it daily with precision and accuracy to His glory!