Rose Publishing - Knowing Gods Will Made Easy

T his little book on knowing Gods will is part of the Made Easy book series. If youve ever faced a life-changing decision, or ever looked up and asked that painful question, Why Lord? , then you know that Gods will isnt always easy. While understanding Gods will might not be easy, its certainly not impossible. God hasnt left us on our own to get lost. He has provided us with resources and guidance to show us a way out the fog, so that we can have a clear (or at least clear er ) view of his will for our lives.

Few subjects generate more questions than Gods will.

• What do people mean when they say the will of God?
• Does the Bible suggest that God has a unique plan for our lives? If so, how detailed is that plan, and how can someone go about discovering it?
• Does Gods sovereignty trump human freedom? (And, by the way, what does sovereignty even mean?)
• What happens when our plans and Gods plans are not in sync?
• Is it possible for someone to completely miss Gods will for their life?

Well tackle questions like these (and others) in the following pages.

For readers who want to ponder the mystery of Gods will further, or for those who want to go through this book with others, weve included some reflection and group discussion questions at the end.

D orothy Gale wanted to go home to Kansas.

Rocky Balboa wanted to go the distance.

Frodo the Hobbit wanted to destroy his magical ring before it destroyed him and those he loved.

We could keep going, but you get the point: Every memorable story features a character who wants somethingand is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to get it.

This universal, unwritten rule also applies to the Bible. Though many regard Gods Word as a religious rulebook or a quaint collection of ancient wisdom, its actually a story. Its the real-life story of what happened when God, in sheer goodness and love, designed a perfect world with humans at the center.

Why would the Almighty do such a thing? Becauseas the main character in the biggest and best story of allhe wanted something: creatures who would reflect his glory, live in his perfect love, and revel in his exquisite blessings.

If youre at all familiar with the Bible, you know that right at the start everything takes a disastrous turn. The human creatures defy their Creator. By their inexplicable rebellion, they plunge themselves and the world into ruin. Thankfully, the story isnt over. In fact, far from it. On the heels of this shocking plot twist, we get to glimpse the Almightys overwhelming desire to rescue and recover all that hes lost. The rest of the Old and New Testaments demonstrate the stunning lengths to which God is willing to go to get what he wants.

This, in essence, is the story of the Bible, the story of the universe, the story of us. From Genesis to Revelation, we read about what God has done (and is doing still) to win back the hearts of rebels, to eradicate evil, and to make all things new.

Turns out that we cant really know the will of God apart from the story of God.

What Does Gods Will Mean?

T he Greek noun thelema, often translated as will in the Bible, is related to a verb that means, to want, desire, or like. When the Bible speaks about Gods will, its referring to the things the Almighty wants to see happen, the things he desires to do for his people, and the acts hed like for his people to engage in (or not). Those are the outcomes that fill himand uswith deep joy.

Gods will or the will of God refer to the plans and purposes of God that spring from his perfect desires. Much of his will has already been revealed the Bible. Some of Gods will remains a mystery for at least two reasons: because Scripture doesnt tell us everything and because history is still unfolding.

When Christians say to one another, Pray that Ill know Gods will, typically theyre referring to a specific life situation in which they have more than one option. For example, theyre...

• Pondering school choices.

  Should I go to that out-of-state college or stick with my local school? Would it be wise, or nuts, for me to go back to school at my age?

• Weighing employment possibilities.

  Should I take the job offer in Amarillo... or start looking in Topeka... or just keep the job I have?

• Mulling over a big purchase.

  Should I put an offer on the older but larger house or the newer one?

• Wondering about a romantic relationship.

  Is this the one or does God want me to keep looking?

As we will see, Gods will certainly involves locations and vocations, money and matrimony, but its much more expansive than that.