If It Be God’s Will
Many people are asking the question “if it be God’s will”? However Jesus says “to
you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them that are
outside, all these things are done in parables” (Mark 4:11).
A man brought to the disciples of Jesus his son, which had a dumb spirit; and His
disciples was not able to cast him out. And when Jesus came down from the
mount of transfigure, and was upset with His disciples, saying “O faithless
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you, bring him to
Me. And they brought him to Him, and when He saw him, immediately the spirit
tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And He (Jesus) asked
his father, how long is it ago since this came to him? and he said, of a child. And
often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him, but if You
can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said to him, if you
can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the
father of the child cried out; and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help You mine
unbelief” (Mark 9:17-24). Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, you dumb
and deaf spirit, I charge you come out of him, and enter no more into him, and he
was healed.
God’s will can be known (Hebrews 13:20-21) “now may the God of peace, who
brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Make you complete in every good
work, to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His will, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen”. To the unsaved, spiritual things
are foolishness (I Corinthians 1:18), the unsaved may be religious, but they do not
posses the spiritual capacity to discern spiritual things (I Corinthians 2:14). The
born again, spirit filled believer who desires to know and do the perfect will of God,
Hebrews 13:21 said that God will take control and make you complete in every
good work to do His will. We have to show the desire and yield ourselves and He
does the work.
God does have a plan for your life, He did not save you to let you go your way and
make your own decisions, by your carnal nature. God gives the believer a new
nature to combat the ways of his old nature (II Peter 1:4) “whereby are given to us
exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.
We have already seen that man’s natural way is carnal, or rebellious (Romans 8:5-
9) “for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to
be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they
that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of His”. Therefore it is imperative that you know the will
of God for your life and do it.
The question may be, how can I know the perfect will of God for my life? The Bible
tells us to renew our mind to the word of God; in Romans 12:1-2 it says “I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be
not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”.
The will of God can be discovered and obeyed by every believer. Because He has
revealed to us the mystery of His will in His word (Ephesians 1:9). God wants us to
know and understand His revealed will, which is good, acceptable and perfect
(Ephesians 5:14-17) “wherefore He says, awake you that sleep, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the says are evil. Wherefore be
you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”.
You must sincerely desire to do His will, this is an act of faith. You must search the
scriptures if you are going to know the will of God on your life. The best way for
believers to know the will of God for their lives is to search the scriptures, which
continually points to Jesus Christ. If you choose to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Christ through the study of His word, God will equip you to know and
live out His perfect plan for your life.
Are you filed with the knowledge of God’s will for your life, Paul prayed in
Colossians 1:9-10 which says “for this reason we also, since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you, and to say, that you may be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthy of
the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God”. And we too can pray this prayer for our lives and those we
choose.
James tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8) “if any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given to
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall
receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”.
James goes on to say “but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). This heavenly wisdom will reveal
God’s perfect will for your life when you seek it with your whole heart through
prayer and His word.
We pray for spiritual wisdom to know the will of God; we pray for wisdom to read
outward expression of God’s providence, to recognize open or closed doors, and
always to be spiritually conscious of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who has promised to
guide us into all truth. God has made known His perfect will to individuals in every
biblical age, and the evidence is overwhelming.
The Bible says for us to “study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that
needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Paul
continues to tell Timothy “but continue you in the things which you have learned
and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them. And that
from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise
to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished to all good works” (II Timothy 3:14-17).
The Bible tells us in I Corinthians 2:6-13 which says “however, we speak wisdom
among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of
this world, that come to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world to our glory. Which
none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for
them that love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit
searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things
of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows
no man, but the Spirit of God. now we have received not the spirit of the world, but
the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us
of God. which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom
teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual”; verse 16 says “But we have the mind of Christ”.
When we know the will of God, we can pray the prayer of faith, and (James 5:16)
tells us that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”. And I
John 5:14-15, it says “and this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we
ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear us
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”.
So let us seek the wisdom of God on the circumstances of our life, so that we can
pray the prayer of faith and see results.
Remember that God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8 “this book of the law shall not
depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you
may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make
your way prosperous and then you shall have good success”.
This sounds like what Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24 “and Jesus answering said to
them; have faith in God. For verily I say to you, that whosoever shall say to this
mountain, be you removed, and be you cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in
his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he
shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say to you, what things so ever you
desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them”.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: June 1, 2010
Many people are asking the question “if it be God’s will”? However Jesus says “to
you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them that are
outside, all these things are done in parables” (Mark 4:11).
A man brought to the disciples of Jesus his son, which had a dumb spirit; and His
disciples was not able to cast him out. And when Jesus came down from the
mount of transfigure, and was upset with His disciples, saying “O faithless
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you, bring him to
Me. And they brought him to Him, and when He saw him, immediately the spirit
tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And He (Jesus) asked
his father, how long is it ago since this came to him? and he said, of a child. And
often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him, but if You
can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said to him, if you
can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the
father of the child cried out; and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help You mine
unbelief” (Mark 9:17-24). Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, you dumb
and deaf spirit, I charge you come out of him, and enter no more into him, and he
was healed.
God’s will can be known (Hebrews 13:20-21) “now may the God of peace, who
brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Make you complete in every good
work, to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His will, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen”. To the unsaved, spiritual things
are foolishness (I Corinthians 1:18), the unsaved may be religious, but they do not
posses the spiritual capacity to discern spiritual things (I Corinthians 2:14). The
born again, spirit filled believer who desires to know and do the perfect will of God,
Hebrews 13:21 said that God will take control and make you complete in every
good work to do His will. We have to show the desire and yield ourselves and He
does the work.
God does have a plan for your life, He did not save you to let you go your way and
make your own decisions, by your carnal nature. God gives the believer a new
nature to combat the ways of his old nature (II Peter 1:4) “whereby are given to us
exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.
We have already seen that man’s natural way is carnal, or rebellious (Romans 8:5-
9) “for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to
be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they
that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of His”. Therefore it is imperative that you know the will
of God for your life and do it.
The question may be, how can I know the perfect will of God for my life? The Bible
tells us to renew our mind to the word of God; in Romans 12:1-2 it says “I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be
not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”.
The will of God can be discovered and obeyed by every believer. Because He has
revealed to us the mystery of His will in His word (Ephesians 1:9). God wants us to
know and understand His revealed will, which is good, acceptable and perfect
(Ephesians 5:14-17) “wherefore He says, awake you that sleep, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the says are evil. Wherefore be
you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”.
You must sincerely desire to do His will, this is an act of faith. You must search the
scriptures if you are going to know the will of God on your life. The best way for
believers to know the will of God for their lives is to search the scriptures, which
continually points to Jesus Christ. If you choose to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Christ through the study of His word, God will equip you to know and
live out His perfect plan for your life.
Are you filed with the knowledge of God’s will for your life, Paul prayed in
Colossians 1:9-10 which says “for this reason we also, since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you, and to say, that you may be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthy of
the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God”. And we too can pray this prayer for our lives and those we
choose.
James tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8) “if any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given to
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall
receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”.
James goes on to say “but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). This heavenly wisdom will reveal
God’s perfect will for your life when you seek it with your whole heart through
prayer and His word.
We pray for spiritual wisdom to know the will of God; we pray for wisdom to read
outward expression of God’s providence, to recognize open or closed doors, and
always to be spiritually conscious of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who has promised to
guide us into all truth. God has made known His perfect will to individuals in every
biblical age, and the evidence is overwhelming.
The Bible says for us to “study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that
needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Paul
continues to tell Timothy “but continue you in the things which you have learned
and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them. And that
from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise
to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished to all good works” (II Timothy 3:14-17).
The Bible tells us in I Corinthians 2:6-13 which says “however, we speak wisdom
among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of
this world, that come to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world to our glory. Which
none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for
them that love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit
searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things
of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows
no man, but the Spirit of God. now we have received not the spirit of the world, but
the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us
of God. which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom
teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual”; verse 16 says “But we have the mind of Christ”.
When we know the will of God, we can pray the prayer of faith, and (James 5:16)
tells us that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”. And I
John 5:14-15, it says “and this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we
ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear us
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”.
So let us seek the wisdom of God on the circumstances of our life, so that we can
pray the prayer of faith and see results.
Remember that God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8 “this book of the law shall not
depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you
may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make
your way prosperous and then you shall have good success”.
This sounds like what Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24 “and Jesus answering said to
them; have faith in God. For verily I say to you, that whosoever shall say to this
mountain, be you removed, and be you cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in
his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he
shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say to you, what things so ever you
desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them”.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: June 1, 2010
