Knowing the Will of God

I Thessalonians 4:1-8

Years ago, when my parents first went to the Navajo Reservation, they were contacted by several prospective missionaries who had “been called” to the Navajo mission field. They were sure it was the will of god for them to help us in our work. One had been directed by God to rob a gas station, and the state of Missouri had agreed to drop the charges if he’d come to the reservation. Another had completed a semester at BBC and would know more than those Indians so didn’t need any more training. A third one had lost their home and decided that that was proof God wanted them to be missionaries. They were so sure they didn’t even call in advance to let us know they were coming.

Throughout history, people have claimed God’s direction in things. Their basis has ranged from visions, to prickling of the skin to tea leaves, from votes of confidence to allowing the Bible to fall open and basing their decision on the passage it falls open at. Unfortunately, while God could use all such methods of determining his will, Satan can also use them. All too often, such methods lead to disastrous results.

While we are often referred to Gideon putting out the fleece as a way, it is often overlooked that Gideon did not use the fleece to determine what God’s will was. He already knew what God’s will was, he just used the fleece to verify that he was not jumping to an incorrect conclusion. He also picked a sign that could not naturally occur. Finding the will of God is not a mystical process, but is rooted in God’s plan for all Christians. A description of that plan is found in Ephesians 4:11-15.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

God has determined each ones role in his overall plan, and each person has a specific part to play, Each one is given special abilities to perform his designated role. Finding God’s will is simply a matter of determining the role God has for you, and fulfilling it , thus contributing to the accomplishment of his overall plan. I Corinthians 12:4-12 illustrates some of the variety.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”

The church at Thessalonica was doing well, but Paul encourages them to continue to follow the things they have been taught. By doing so they will grow, becoming better equipped to fulfill their individual roles.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 4:1-2)

Practicing what they have been taught will produce attitudes in their lives that pleasing to God. As the attitude or spiritual mind develops, the actions will begin to change to what is pleasing to God as well. We become set apart to God, or sanctified, which is his will.

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (I Thessalonians 4:3-7)

As we allow God’s word to guide our lives, and the Holy Soirit changes our attitudes, sexual sin ceases to be problem. We are focused on God. We are no longer struggling with our lust. As Galatians 5:16 tells us, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Our attitude toward our fellow Christians will change as well. We’ll no longer be taking advantage of them in any way because that is not what God wants from us. Our attitude towards others indicates our relationship with God.

“He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 4:8)

Romans 14:1-5 warns against looking down on those who hold different standards of diet or celebrations of holidays than we do. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

James 2:1-9 warns about looking down on those who don’t dress by our standards, or who have less money. “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”

I have heard a couple of preachers say their standard was a little higher than God’s. Apparently, they consider themselves better than he is. Obviously, they don’t have much of a relationship with him. God forbids us imposing our standard on others. Doing so demonstrates our lack of spiritual development. If sexual sin is still a big problem, or we are taking advantage of or are judgmental toward others, we not yet attained his will in our lives.