God’s Will

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Now, if ever, is a time for God’s people to walk wisely. Wisdom in dealing with the world, and wisdom in our spiritual race. That wisdom comes from understanding God’s will and doing it.

There should be no difficulty in realizing that the days are evil. From the pandemic that we face to the response of many and the behavior of the world. It certainly seems like “in the time of Noah.” Unfortunately, many of God’s people seem to be more concerned with this world and the things they can have and achieve in this world than showing the world that there is an answer. The world does not need more people attempting to explain the political paths that are certain to solve their problems. The world needs to hear about Jesus.

God’s will is not to make the United States the greatest nation in the world. God’s will is not to make the lives of Christians easy. God’s will is that none should perish. God’s will is that there would be a bride prepared for His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s will is that we be God’s peculiar people (Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9). We should consider this every time we speak or act. We are to show forth His praises.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living  sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed  to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove  what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Notice in these verses the “sacrifice,” the “presenting” and the “transforming.” Presenting our lives to Him will require a sacrifice. We may lose some things. We may lose some “constitutional rights.” We may lose some friends or colleagues.

We might avoid those losses if we conform to this world, but then we would not know and understand God’s will. We need to be transformed from our current worldly thinking to God’s thinking. God’s will is not to be found or understood in the worlds thinking or knowledge or philosophies. God’s ways and God’s thinking are far above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and we need to allow Him to transform us into that.

The only way this will be possible is by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Word to us through study and prayer. When we come across something in the world, let us compare it to God’s Word and act accordingly. Let us gain understanding of God’s will and seek to do His will. It will be far better than anything we could come up with.

Gordon Crook