The Will of God
Notes
Transcript
Reading: Romans 12:2
Reading: Romans 12:2
We have talked about this passage in the past, it along with verse one is one of the classic passages for the doctrine of entire sanctification, we studied it in our study of the Book of Romans, but tonight I want to look at a phrase in this verse that grabbed by attention-
2 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.
I would like to talk to you tonight with the Lord’s help on “What is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”
What is the will of God?
Old Sailor
An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by his friends.
Disgusted and impatient with him, they asked, “Why didn’t you use that compass we gave you? You could have saved us a lot of trouble!” The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast.”
That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tired to force his own personal persuasion on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered.
Sometimes I’m afraid we try to get through life like that -
or we’re like the lady Walter Knight tells about -
She was an old Scottish woman who went from home to home across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings. When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.
One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times. “Why do you toss the stick more than once?” someone asked. “Because,” replied the woman, “it keeps pointing to the left, and I want to take the road on the right.” She then dutifully kept throwing the stick into the air until it pointed the way she wanted to go!
God in his sovereignty seems to have chosen to work his will on three levels:
His decretive will
His desired will
His permissive will
Lets look at these a little closer:
1. God’s Decretive Will -
1. God’s Decretive Will -
When we speak of God’s decretive will we are speaking of something that no one and nothing can change or hinder. God’s decretive will is going to happen no matter what.
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, Nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Look especially at that seventh verse
7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
And then we find another verse that shows us God’s decretive will
9 Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure:
2. God’s Desired Will
2. God’s Desired Will
These are things that God desires of everyone - but in his sovereignty gives us the ability to chose whether or not we will do them.
God want everyone to be saved -
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God’s desired will is for everyone to be sanctified -
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
God’s desired will is for everyone to give thanks
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
3. God’s Permissive Will
3. God’s Permissive Will
Story of Balaam we can get what we want but it may not be what is best for us and can bring leanness to the soul.
So how do we find the will of God? Two suggestions to help
Consecration - We must do what Romans 12:2 says if we are going to discover what God’s will for us is.
2 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.
Consultation -
We need to consult the Word of God what does it have to say about this?
Many times the Word of God will have something to say in fact I would say that:
90% of the will of God is already revealed in His Word. If you want to know that which is not revealed you’ve got to do (Joh 7:17)
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
You’ve got to will to do His will before you know what is not revealed.
We need to consult God in prayer
Consult godly and wise people
God’s will will never lead you where His grace can’t keep you!
I want to follow God’s will for my life.