Knowing the Will of God -- Part 2 of 4

Click here for part 1.

How then do we discern God’s will? A better question is this: What do we mean by the phrase “discerning God’s will?” Are we referring to God’s purposes decreed from eternity past? Because of the way I see the phrase used, I have my doubts. Are we referring to making day to day decisions? That seems to be correct. When most Christians say, “I want to discern God’s will,” they are simply asking this question: What ought I do?

Do I take this job or that job? Should I go out with/marry this person? Should I return to graduate school? Am I called to ministry? Should I rent or should I buy? Which college should I attend?

When the question is phrased in the form, what ought I do?, it much easer to approach because it is much less intimidating. Removed are the mysterious overtones of the concept of “God’s will.” In fact, it is easy to answer in the case when the decision is between a right and a set of wrongs.

When a Christian is confronted to make a decision between a right (as in good) and a set of wrongs (as in evil), the correct choice is easy. Choose that which is righteous. Two sets of friends invite you for a Friday night outing. One set wants to frequent a brothel, the others want to attend a worship service. Which choice honors God?

Even in more complex decisions, there is almost always a set of evil choices—these should be excluded from the list of viable options. Do your best to limit your choices to those that honor God.

From the aforementioned, the responsibility of the Christian to know what is morally right and wrong is clear. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Christian to be a student of the Bible and person of prayer. Ignorance of the Word leads to sin, and the sloth in prayer communes not with the Holy Spirit. Because many Christians fail to know the Word and pray, they cannot see the will of God—what they ought to do.

For example, there are many Christians who are debating if they belong in the dating relationship in which they currently reside. The other is not a Christian, or is a fleshly Christian. Many aspects of the relationship have been compromised, and there is a strong sense of guilt or conviction. The obvious answer is to get out—and fast. If they knew the Word, they would know 2 Corinthians 6:14 (perhaps not by reference, but its content): “Do no be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Yet they do not obey because of their strong emotional connection, which they interpret to be a divine revelation to remain in the relationship. Their judgment is impaired, and they see as good that which is easily judged harmful.

Tommorrow, Part 3 of 4. "What about the small things?"