People love a good mystery novel or “who-done-it” story. The mysteries of the universe & creation are fascinating to scientists, doctors, and researchers. Not all mysteries can be solved, but Paul talks about one mystery that awaits your full discovery.
In the letter Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he challenged them with this statement –do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17). Two thoughts emerge from this verse. First, God’s will is something you and I can know and understand; and secondly, not knowing and understanding God’s will is a dangerous and foolish thing. Therefore, one of the main priorities in every believer’s life should be to know and follow the will of God. How do we do that? Paul gives four principles that help us in our understanding of God’s will.
First, God’s will is a revelation that is always awaiting our personal discovery. Paul says,(God) made known to us the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9). We often think of a mystery as being something that cannot be known at all, or at the very least, a complex enigma that must be unraveled and deciphered. Even then, doubts may still remain as to whether we have accurately solved the puzzle. Not so with God’s will! It may not at any point be fully known (mystery), but coming to know and understand God’s will is guaranteed to be a successful process. We discover God’s will in two simple ways – we read and we ask. God’s will always coincides with and never contradicts the commands, precepts and principles taught in His Word, the Bible. If we want to know the will of God for our life, we must spend a portion of each day being a passionate student of God’s Word. As we do so, we pray and ask God to speak to us through His Word and reveal to us His will for our life. He promises – Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find (Matthew 7:7).
Secondly, God’s will incorporates purpose, motivation and specific plans for our life. Paul referred to it as – (God) works all things after the counsel of His will (1:11). If we go for counseling, we are consulting with a professional helper to assist us in some challenge or personal issue in life. The counselor will share insights into our problem and engage us in an action plan to effectively deal with and overcome its challenge. When we go to God and His Word for counsel, His Holy Spirit opens our minds to principles and insights that reveal the issues surrounding our life and guides us in the process of discovering God’s plan and purpose for dealing with those issues. Those plans will always be specific and unique to what God is seeking to accomplish in our personal life. Therefore, God’s plan of action for me may be different than His plan of action for you, but His plans for both of us will always remain consistent with His holy and righteous character, and the truth of His Word.
Thirdly, God’s will always engages the believer in obedient action. It is not enough to know and understand God’s will, plan and purpose for our life. Once God reveals to us His will, we have to make a personal decision to follow it. We have to be willing to say, “Yes, Lord. That is what I will do.” And then, do so! Paul identified himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (1:1). Paul sought to know God’s will, plan and purpose for his life and God revealed it to him. God called Paul to preach the Gospel to the Gentile nations of the ancient world. Once Paul understood that, he willingly surrendered his life to that cause. Everything that defined Paul and his ministry was a living testimony of his obedience to God’s call on his life. So it is with you and me.
Finally, God’s will brings pleasure and glory to God. Twice in this letter, Paul refers to the kind intention of (God’s) will (1:5,9). That phrase can be rendered, “good pleasure.” It pleases God to see us know and follow His will for our life. It brings glory and honor to His Name when we succeed in life by being obedient to His will. That good pleasure is not only the experience of God, it is also our experience. I am confident in saying that none of us will ever know true joy, happiness and fulfillment in life apart from being actively engaged in God’s will, plan and purpose. On the other hand, when we neglect, ignore or violate God’s will, we are bitter, negative and feel empty and aimless in life.
What is your testimony? Can you honestly say, “I know what God has called and gifted me to do, and I am obediently engaged in God’s will, plan and purpose for every area of my life.” If not, God wants you to have that confidence today. Will you start today on the awesome journey of discovering the mystery of God’s will for you?
Pastor Rick Smith