One of the areas where many Christians have trouble is the area of the will of God for their lives. In this article we are going to look at the different areas of the Bible where it deals with the will of God in the area of testimony, the will of God in the area of service and the will of God for us personally.

1. The will of God in the area of Testimony

By Paul’s introduction in each of the following chapters he established that he was in the will of God.  In this area of leadership the need was there for people to know that his actions were justified and directed by God.

Ephesians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2 Timothy 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

This example should be followed in all areas of spiritual leadership. Whether it be as the Pastor of the church, a Sunday school teacher, or in the area of being a leader in the home it is important to establish that God has placed you in that role and take ownership of it. To many today are trying to fill roles that they cannot fully commit to because they do not see it as the will of God, but rather something they are just “doing until” the will of God is revealed to them. As we read further into this article you will see a better understanding of this thing of God’s will and how it applies to us WHERE WE ARE… Not where we are going to be.

When you are in the will of God, you are known to be of God!

Mark 3:35  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

People can tell when you have spent time with God. It comes across as confidence, good additude and a sweet spirit. When people understand the will of God for their lives it relieves an area of uncertainty that can allow them to move forward. However the misconception that so many have in what the will of God is… in itself, keeps people from moving forward.

Part of that testimony of being in the will of God is standing for the word of God

1 Peter 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

We could park here for awhile.. but maybe in another article… But I will say this… I don’t know why Christians today wish to pursue this idea of politically correct weakness when it comes to the word of God and our faith. Do we not have the truth? Do we not have the power of the Gospel? The scriptures clearly illustrate that the testimony of our Christian service should silence the world… not the other way around!

2. Will of God in the area of Service

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The context here is in the area of Christian service, and showing the will of God though our actions. Many today struggle with this area of Christian service because they are waiting for the will of God to strike them like a bold of lightening. We see through this and many other verses in this article that the will of God is demonstrated through what the Lord has done for us.. not what He will do for us. God’s desire for us is quite simple when you break down these common principles:

• We are to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God
• It is our reasonable service.. nothing more, nothing less
• We are not to be conformed to this world
• We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind

WE DO THESE THINGS LISTED SO THAT we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Romans 15:30  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

When is the last time you prayed for the Pastor? Sunday School teacher? This verse shows Paul’s desire to do the will of God.. but to do so he needs the brethren to pray for him… So let’s put it in this mindset… The man of God needs the people of God to be in the will of God, so that the man of God can do the will of God to help the people of God be in the will of God….. got that?

2 Corinthians 8:4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Understanding the will of God in the area of Christian service is certainly an important factor, however; when we take our inward faith and take it to a practical format you start seeing the fruits and blessings of being in the will of God.

Ephesians 6:5  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Now we see the attitude of being in the will of God… That it is NOT of ourselves. We need to realize as a people that we are not our own, but are bought with a price… In this manner when we seek to serve it must not be for ourselves, but rather to prove that perfect will of God. The greatest platform to show this is in the area of employment. What greater testimony is there than an employer seeing the will of God through your valued service!

Colossians 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Note: His service was to help others achieve God’s will!

13 For I bear him record,(testimony) that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

So much to the fact that Paul was allowed to mention his zeal in the eternal word of God!

3. The will of God for us personally

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I often mention this verse to those who tell me that they are searching for the will of God for their lives… I ask “what are you searching for when God so plainly lists what His will is?!?” This positive direction is what God desires of us.. to be thankful; because this one level of understanding brings all others into perspective. It eliminates the fruits of the flesh and yields the way for the fruits of the spirit. Without thankfulness: Godly service is in vain and our testimony becomes mere words rather than true actions.

1 Thessalonians 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

We see in these 2 passages a parallel.. one is positive with the direction of thankfulness, the other is to stay away from certain things. Perhaps the will of God isn’t just some mystical feeling we get running up our leg when we sense something good from God… but rather simply fulfilling God’s love for us. The will of God in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 clearly says that it is the will of God to stay away from fornication! That again we are to show others God’s will by knowing how to possess our vessel (body) in sanctification and honour…

So when dealing with the will of God it’s not just a catch phrase but rather an establishment of our walk with God. We should incorporate the “Will of God” for our lives on a daily basis rather that the common understanding that it is a Goal to be attained. The will of God is now, here where we are at; not down the road, uncertain and unattained. So my dear Christian friend, let’s stop waiting on God and start serving Him in the area of our testimony, our service and even personally; showing ourselves and the world that good, perfect will of God.