The burning question any Christian has is “How Do I Discern God’s Will?” And in my case it’s closely followed by the question, “Is it a sin for me to eat Spam?”
Of course the way to know what God’s will is would be through Scripture. But do you actually think knowing Scripture is enough? Cause it’s not. Oh that crazy Conrad with his heresy.
But let me ask you this… does someone who has a photographic memory and read and memorizes the entire Bible – is he somehow the best Christian ever? Just because Satan knows the Bible more than us, does that make him a better Christian that us?
It’s not enough to just know God’s Word. You also have to believe it. It has to change you.
But belief is not enough either. Let’s say I believe neighbor is a jerk. I know that the Bible says to ‘love your neighbor’ and I can believe that it’s the right thing to do, but instead – I punch my neighbor in the face and steal his pants. While that would be fun, that’s probably not God’s will. You see you forgot the last part of God’s will – I actually have to apply scripture.
Taking God’s Word, knowing it, believing it and applying it correctly IS God’s Will. I’ll write it in the form of a math equation.
God’s Will = Knowing God’s Word + Having the Heart of God’s Word + Doing God’s Word
So what do we do?
When you are dealing with something in particular, try to find a passage that speaks to that situation. Are you dealing with jerks, then look up love verses. If you’re dealing with doubt, look up God’s promises. If you’re dealing with guilt then look up verses about forgiveness.
The point is, we have to find some verse to base our actions on – or else we could just doing our will instead of God’s. And while it’s good to be looking up verses on a situational basis, it’s even better to be prepared with a greater understanding of God’s Word.
This is why we do devotionals, Bible study and church…
…to be better prepared with God’s Word so that we can carry out his will more.
So try to make devotionals or studying the Bible apart of your life. And one helpful hint: when you do your devotionals, ask yourself, “How will this change me?” Then end your devotional with a prayer that is tied into the devotional/passage you just read. When you couple your devotional with a prayer, you are immediately trying to make it a part of your life.
And may I suggest a particular devotional written by the best looking theologian ever. If you do, I’ll give my neighbor his pants back.
JAS 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? [15] Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. JAS 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. [19] You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. JAS 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? [21] Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. [24] You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
Today’s Fruit of the Spirit to work on: Faithfulness, faithfulness to His Word. Take time to pray: Ask God to help you be more devoted to His Word