There is probably a great number of opinions on what the will of God would be in any given situation. If you ask five people you might possibly get five different answers. Out of those five it is highly possible that two or more could be very certain and even dogmatic in their opposing views. Often this type of misunderstanding concerning God and other fellow human beings can lead to serious problems. That is why it is so important for us today to return to basic, proven principles and the fundamentals of life in God. I am confident that as we look unto Him, His Spirit will clear our minds from all confusion and His Word will make our direction plain.

Our concept of God and our relationship with Him will influence our every thought and action. If there are any distortions in this area they can dramatically affect how we feel about God and how we reflect Him to others. The distortion then becomes more exaggerated as it spreads. The effect that I am referring to has often caused rivalries between believers and even wars between nations! Innocent people have been tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by devout men who believed they were performing God’s will. Saul of Tarsus who later became known as Paul the apostle, was one of those religious leaders who really did not know the Lord. {I Timothy 1:13, Acts 9:5} Later after he had met the Lord Jesus he grieved over these actions and eventually became a tremendous force on behalf of love, understanding and patience. He fulfilled the will of God for his life by becoming a living expression of God’s true nature. The record of his life and his teachings compel us yet today, and many still hope to follow this inspiring example.

There are many different voices being heard today, proclaiming ideas in the name of the Lord. They come to us by radio, television, the internet, the printed page, and are often very sincere towards God. They tend to keep us very informed of the evils of this world, and some of them attempt to influence us politically. I am not suggesting that we should be afraid to listen to them, but I do urge you to observe how these words affect you. Do they arouse fear, worry, and anger – or do they inspire faith, hope and love? Our desire is to give our attention only to words that increase our awareness of the Father’s living Presence, and in so doing we become another voice in His Great Chorus! His is truly a song of love, hope and victory, to be shared with all mankind!

With these thoughts in mind, we approach the subject of understanding God and His will with great reverence. Having confidence in His Great Love for us, we trust that He will guide us into the scriptures for a correct understanding of His purpose for our lives. Let us look at a few verses on this subject to see what they can reveal unto us.

The Mind of God

“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}

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” {I Thessalonians 5:16-18}

From these scriptures we can easily see that being in the will of God is more about an attitude of heart and mind than just a physical location. My life is transformed when my mind is lifted into a higher and more positive realm. With an attitude of rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving, I am abiding in the will of God. If you want to see the will of God being demonstrated, then just find a believer whose life is filled with these three attributes. From them freely flow the desires of God’s heart. If they are not working in us, we can barely function in the Kingdom of[...]