Growing in Grace -  Lesson 11

KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD

After we have accepted Christ, God has a perfect will for us. To realize the full blessings God has for us, we need to submit our lives to know and then to do His will. It is only as we are yielded to walk in the will of God that we will realize the fulfillment of God’s purpose in our lives.

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE
OF GOD’S WILL IN OUR LIVES

1. We cannot plan our own lives.

Jeremiah l0:23—”O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is
not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”
Proverbs 20:24—”Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then
understand his own way?”

2. God has a will for each of His children.
Romans 12:2—”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.”

3. Jesus Christ set the example while on earth when He sought as the God-man to
do the will of the Father.
John 5:30—”! can of mine own self do nothing: as 1 hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

This prayer of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 26:39 reveals the very secret of His
life during His earthly humiliation.

“And he went a little farther and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, 0 my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Hebrews 10:7—”Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is
written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God.”
This quote of the eternal Son of God is given in Psalm 40:7-8

4. The Apostle Paul set an example for us.

a. When Paul met the Lord on the Damascus road, his first question was, “Who
art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5). Paul, by answering this question, came to know
the Lord as his Saviour. The second question he asked was, “Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). This same sequence should take place
in the lives of believers. First, we should come to know who the Lord is and
thereby be saved. Then we should follow salvation with the request to know
the will of God.
b. Paul knew he was an apostle by the will of God.
I Corinthians I : 1— “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through
the will of God.”
See also II Corinthians 1: 1, Ephesians 1:1, and Colossians 1: I.
c. Paul desired that those believers to whom he ministered might know the will
of God.
Colossians l:9— ”For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not
cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
5. Only God knows the future.
Psalm 1:6— “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way
of the ungodly shall perish.”
Isaiah 48:17—”Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;
I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
6. God wants us to know the will of God.
Hebrews 13:20-21-—”Now the God of peace, that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen.”
Note in Colossians 4 12 that Epaphras labored in prayer that the Colossian Christians might do God’s will. “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for You in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the Will of God.”
7. God command us to know His Will.
Ephesians 5:17 – “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the
Will of the Lord is.”
8. God commands us to obey His Will.
Ephesians 6:5-6 —“Servants, be obedient... as the servants of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart.”

REALIZING THE IMPACT
OF GOD’S WILL IN OUR LIVES

1. Obeying God’s Word and thereby living in the will of God brings lifelong
blessing.
I John 2:17—”He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Psalm 1:2-3— “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth
he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water. . . and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Joshua l:8—”This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; hut
thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

2. God’s plan is for the believers only.
Psalm 25:12—” What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in
the way that he shall choose.”

To the one who states that God is his hiding place, the Lord promises in
Psalm 32:8—”I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which
thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

3. God will lead each step of the believer.
Psalm 37:23 —“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he
delighteth in his way.”
Psalm 119:105 —“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.”
Proverbs 3:6 —“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.”

4. God’s plan is definite and specific.
Isaiah 30:21—”And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is
the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
Proverbs 15: 19—”The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but
the way of the righteous is made plain.”
5. God’s will is best for us.
Romans 12:1-2—”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.., that ye may prove what is that good, and accept able, and perfect, will of God.”
Psalm 143:10—” Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is
good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”

From all of these previous verses, it is easy to see that God’s will and plan for us as believers will be the very best for us and will result in a joyous and victorious life in which the saved walk with Him. Outside of a life surrendered to the will of God, a believer will find lost fellowship, confusion, heartache, and barrenness. The tragedy is that too many Christians have not recognized the importance of the will of God for their lives and thereby have not realized the impact of the blessing of doing God’s will.

RESPONDING WITH INVOLVEMENT
IN GOD’S WILL

What must we do to know the will of God?

1. Preparation of the heart

We must be willing to do God’s will.
Psalm 143:l0—”Teach me to do thy will.”

2. Presentation of the life

Romans 12:1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God.
That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice.”
Romans 6:13—”But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from
the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

3. Practice of His will

From Proverbs 3:5-6 we note the following two truths:

a. We must have no will of our own, no preconceived notions as to God’s will.
Proverbs 3:5—”Lean not unto thine own understanding.”
b. We must acknowledge the Lord in all our ways.
Proverbs 3:6—”In all thy ways acknowledge him.”
This means that we must clearly say, “Yes, Lord,” to every evidence of His direction in our lives. To acknowledge His leadership means to be in a state of submission to His Word and to His providential guidance.

4. Proof of His will

When a believer is willing to be led by the Lord, he will have the proof in
his life.

Romans 12:2—”That ye may prove what is that. . . will of God.”

Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, stated clearly, “I being in the way, the Lord led
me” (Genesis 24:27). He went out not knowing how God would lead. When he
arrived, he looked back and knew the proof of God’s leading.

Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea. On the other shore he looked
back and sang of God: “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou
hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation”
(Exodus 16:13).

How wonderful it is to follow willingly the leading of the Lord! This
blessing is to those who have surrendered their wills to Him. God gives a peace
and rest in the heart and life. There is a joy when we know we have not allowed
self, personal desire, or human reasoning to lead—but rather we have permitted
God Himself by His Spirit to lead our lives.

GUIDELINES FOR KNOWING
THE WILL OF GOD

1. Confirmation of the Word
Everything we do should be according to God’s Word. He will not lead
contrary to His Word.
2. Circumstances indicating the will of God
God permits circumstances to come into our lives so that we can know His
leading.
3. Conviction that this is His will
When God reveals His will, He will give a settled peace that He is leading.
When that peace is missing, a Christian should be careful not to rush ahead
(Isaiah 30:15).
4. Crucifixion of self
Be sure you are not doing something for selfish reasons (Galatians 2:20).
5. Consecration of yourself to God (Romans 12:1-2)
In your consecration, pray and ask God for His leading (Psalm 143: 10).
6. Counsel of godly, spiritual folks
Seek out godly people to give you counsel. It is well to talk to a godly
pastor. Sometimes the other individual sees something you would not see.

Remember!

God will not lead you contrary to that which is revealed in His Word. Therefore, spend time in the Word of God so that you are able to discern the will of God. Our reading assignment for this week uses chapters that reveal truths for us to know in order to discern the will of God.

LESSON 11—ASSIGNMENT

1. Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6.
2. Read Ephesians 4—6; Philippians 2—3; Colossians 3—4. Please note some
truths from these passages that God would have you to know and practice so that
His will can be done in your life. Please record this information under “NOTES”
on pages 87-88.
3. Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. Is it possible for man to guide his own life? (Jeremiah 10:23)
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2. What does God promise concerning His leadership in Isaiah 48:17?
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3. Epaphras had a great burden. What was it? (Colossians 4:12)
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4. Who are the unwise according to Ephesians 6:17?
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5. How detailed is the will of God for the saved? (Psalm 37:23)
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6. List the points of Proverbs 3:5-6 in your own words.
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b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________

7. What is important in our lives if the promise in Isaiah 58: 11 that He will lead
us continually is to be fulfilled? See Isaiah 58:10.

NOTES:

1. A blessing I received each day as I read in Ephesians, Philippians and
Colossians:

Day 1—Eph. 4 ____________________________________________________
Day 2—Eph. 5 ____________________________________________________
Day 3—Eph. 6 ____________________________________________________
Day 4—Phil. 2 ____________________________________________________
Day 5—Phil. 3 ____________________________________________________
Day 6—Col. 3 _____________________________________________________________
Day 7 – Col. 4 ____________________________________________________
2. Truths I have learned so that I can have His will in my life:
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