God's Will In All Seasons

Sometimes it seems that we as Christians would be happy and content seeking God's will by casting lots or placing a fleece outside. But just as we learned earlier in this series knowing God's will and doing God's are two different things. In Judges 6 we see the angel of the Lord telling Gideon he is a "mighty man of valor" and that "The Lord is with him". God tells Gideon he will use him to deliver Israel, but he still doubts. Even after God miraculously wets the fleece but leaves the surrounding ground dry he says "Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece."

Now before I make Gideon out to be this spiritual loser, let me acknowledge I've done the same stuff. All of us have! God says to us clearly through his word.........and yet we say, but Lord if this be your will......... We ask for a sign, an open or closed door. Certainty of his will is not a guarantee of obedience to his will. Signs don't lead to obedience.

Romans 12:2 speaks of being transformed by the renewing of our minds. As God's word becomes more and more a part of our lives it will set our minds in the proper state, renew them to where they ought to be. Too many of us think we have to check our brains at the door in order to live a life of faith and walk in His will. But God says he wants to change our mind, He wants us to have the mind of Christ. As we gain knowledge of His word, His thoughts become our thoughts. His ways become our ways. We are able to make decisions in accordance with His word and His will.

Living in God's will also involves living in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. In John 16 Jesus tells his disciples several important issues:

He is going away

The Holy Spirit will come

He has more to teach tell them, but they won't be able to bear it

The Holy Spirit will teach them all things.

Living a life filled by, controlled by, and walking in the Holy Spirit is what God has planned and desired for us. He (Holy Spirit) will guide us and direct us in all things. He will instruct and teach us all things. He will provide a peace that we are living God's will. He is critical to our "spiritual" life. Without Him we don't have a "spiritual" life.

Next week we will look at grey areas. Are there grey areas in your life? I bet there are......

Let's see what God has to say about them and how the Holy Spirit can help eliminate them in us.

Read Romans 14:1-23

Does God care about grey areas? Why or why not?

How does the Holy Spirit turn issues of conscience into issues of conviction?

Read Galatians 5:16-23, Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

How does God use the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will in us?

What would your life look like if you were fully living according to the spirit?

Rick