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God's Will for Us



Last week I wrote about God’s will for Jesus, that all who look upon Him will be saved, and that Jesus will keep us saved forever. But what about us? Can we know God’s will for our lives?

 

The answer is yes! We can know God’s will for our lives because it was never supposed to be a mystery. God’s will for us is laid out in Scripture just as clearly as His will for Jesus. 

 

God’s will for your life is that you are saved and live your life the way you are supposed to. Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, which says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

 

God’s will is that you are sanctified. That word means to be holy, or set apart. At our salvation we are made holy, set apart from the unsaved world and set apart to God. We become adopted as children of God. Sanctification means that for the rest of our lives we continue to grow in Christ. We learn how to control ourselves, saying no to sin and yes to God.

 

One chapter later Paul added this about God’s will: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (v.16-18).” God’s will is that we are happy and thankful, people who pray and live their lives as if God is right beside them (because He is!). God’s will is to save you and put you in a special relationship with Him. That’s the very reason He made you. 

 

Finally, Peter contributed this to the conversation on God’s will: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people (1 Peter 2:15).” God’s will for us, after we have been saved, is to live our lives in such a way that the world must admit there is something different about us. We must let our light shine so they see our Father in heaven. As a tangible demonstration, Peter wrote, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (v.17).” 

 

Are you still trying to discern God’s will for your life? It’s right in the Bible. God wants to save you and make you His child, put you in a special relationship with Him, and lead you to live your life so that others see the difference—your joy, gratitude, and good conduct—and want what you have. I hope you are following His will. 

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