What Is God’s Will For You?

Knowing whether or not one is living in the will of God is something that some Christians grapple with. The problem is that people seek to know it in areas that the Bible does not address in reference to his will, like for example, who to marry, a job or occupation, what college to attend, and so on. “It simply will not do to assume that God has a unique plan for each life that must be discovered as the basis for making decisions”(Decision Making & the Will of God, Garry Friesen, Multnomah Press, 1980, pgs 82-83).

Major decisions can be made by asking for God’s wisdom in choosing a proper action, whether it is or isn’t connected with God’s will. However, there are some situations where one needs to be submissive to his will. There are other times when there are open doors of opportunity.

God’s will is not centered so much on what a person does in life, unless there is a calling to a particular ministry, but more focused on who they become. Scripture makes it very clear what kind of people Christians should be, to be in the will of God. 1  Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  In verse 4:3 of the same book it says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that each of you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor…” 1 Peter 2:15 states, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”  There you have it. Three specific ways to be in the will of God: be thankful, have moral purity, and doing good to unbelievers. One does not have to discover these things, but can be in God’s will by doing them.

In some circumstances, being in God’s will may come with a cost. Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” It may mean giving up one’s personal goals and dreams, and being obedient to how God wants to use your life. It may require endurance (Hebrews 10:36). It might involve suffering by way of persecution or trials for the cause of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19). Verse 19 summarizes this passage: “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

Now let’s broaden out the subject of God’s will to include non-Christians. 1 Timothy 2:4 says, “This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

I will close with Romans 12:2. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable, and perfect.” A person will never be in God’s will if he or she is conformed to the world! Seek God’s divine wisdom for making major decisions in your life that are not addressed in the Bible in reference to his will. But be obedient to the specific things that are given in the Bible that will keep you in his perfect will.