In the past several weeks, I’ve been briefly discussing a study of God’s will that I’ve taken on for the summer. We do not have to be in the dark. We do not have to be confused about what His will is for us today. In the post How Do I Know God’s Will For My Life? I explain why and how we can find God’s will.
Friends, there are so many instructions on how we are to live life. I see many proclaimed Christians dismiss scripture that teaches us on how to live godly because scripture is an “exhaustive list.”
We should get excited that God gave us so much scripture because it shows His love and kindness to us. He doesn’t want us to be confused about His will!
Some Christians try to justify why it’s better to seek God’s will outside of scripture. Instead of taking the time to read God’s word, study His word, meditate (think about, chew on) His word, and take notes, people would rather try to listen for whispers or “feelings” they believe are of the Lord. (Please see: Contemplative Prayer/Spirituality | What You Need To Know About That “Still, Small Voice” & Christian Mysticism | Are We Putting God In A Box?)
People try to frame their subjective mindset with, “Well, it’s of God, it’s supported by scripture.” Yet, these same people (and I used to be one, so I get it) also are not letting scripture tell them how to live life because they are not reading scripture or reading it incorrectly. How will we truly know what God’s word says when we are not familiar with His word or when we are not reading scripture correctly? Sadly, we are letting our emotions tell us how to live life and what scripture says, even if we have the best of intentions.
We would rather be confused and vulnerable to demonic suggestion than do what God has called us to do, which is to meditate on His word and receive instruction on the Holy One. Everything we will ever need is in relation to understanding the Holy One.
To help you understand why I no longer believe I should seek God outside of scripture, I want to show you the study I’ve been working on in the next several months and probably next year.
What I want to do is share more of a summary of what kind of instructions are given in scripture, regarding the will of God. Then in the following weeks, I will begin breaking down the list into easier to study portions, with scripture cross-references and more detailed instructions.
Please understand that many of these categories and topics will intersect with one another. For example, some instructions for the work environment will relate to the category of how we are to associate with others.
Since I am going to open with our relationship with the Lord, I will be able to be more detailed, but afterward, you will see more of a summary of the topics that are covered in scripture. (It will make more sense when you see the list.)
For study purposes: I studied all of the book of Proverbs. I would look up words or phrases from scriptures discussing character traits, or instructions that we are given, regarding a godly life. I encourage you to do your own studying. As I break down this list, I will add links to posts that cover these topics, as they become available.
Let’s begin.
God’s Will
Our Relationship With God
Begins with our eyes being open to the truth of Jesus Christ. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. We must recognize that we are sinners, fallen, and we cannot pay off the wages of our sin. We need a Savior.
Increase in Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge & Instruction
- Proverbs 7:01-05 says that knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Our understanding must begin with Christ. Jesus is where we find the wisdom of God. If we do not understand Christ properly, then we will misunderstand everything else about the word of God. It is crucial that in order to understand the will of God, we must begin in understanding Jesus the Christ and why He is needed.
- Everything we are to do in life is connected to the Gospel, and we are instructed to continue to increase in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and instruction of the Lord.
Hold To What Is Good
- Trust in the Lord
- Fear the Lord (which is the beginning of wisdom)
- Repent from sin
- Hope in Christ
- Rejoice
- in the Lord
- in suffering
- always
- Take refuge in God
- Give thanks
- Have discernment and be watchful
- Listen to correction/rebuke
- Examine self
- Test all things, according to God’s word
- Treasure God’s commands
- Pray
- Meditate on God’s word
- Do good work
- Have eyes focused on eternity
- Do not quench the Spirit
- Abstain from evil
- Grow in sanctification
- Grow in holiness
Character Traits/Fruit of the Spirit
- Fears the Lord (beginning of wisdom)
- Convicted of sin
- Confidence in Christ
- Repenting of sin – putting away the old man, who we used to be
- Mediates on God’s word
- Has wisdom
- Has knowledge
- Has understanding of the Gospel, Christ, God
- Sober-minded (serious, clear-headed)
- Holds to what is good
- Abstains from evil
- Does good works
- Watchful, examines life
- Eyes on eternity
- Loving
- Seeks after:
- Christ
- what is honorable
- wisdom
- knowledge
- instruction
- understanding
- Listens to correction/rebuke
- Has self-control
- Honors God with possessions
- Content
- Patient
- Kind
- Hopeful
- Steadfast
- Merciful
- Sexually pure
- Careful of making promises
- Generous
- Prudent
- Diligent
- Faithful
- Joyful
- Gentle
- Caring
- Helps the poor
- Sticks up for the blameless
- Deals with anger correctly
- Christ-like
- Sanctified
- Holy
- Not:
- hasty
- a liar
- lazy
- a complainer
- a drunk
- greedy
- perverse
- a hypocrite
- envious
- boastful
- prideful
Our Relationship With People
- Guidance for Men and Women
- Guidance for Families.
- Husband
- Wife
- Parents
- Children
- Work Environment
- How to be a leader
- How to look at the poor
- Who not to work with
- How to work with those in authority
- How to act as the Body of Christ
- How are we to associate with others
- Do not be happy when the enemy falls
- Give to the enemy, if he is thirsty or hungry
- Put others above self
- Share the Gospel
- Be watchful
- Know how to deal with:
- fools
- those in sorrow
- those in authority positions
- Comfort the faint-hearted
- Uphold the weak
- Warn those who are unruly
- Be careful of promises we make
- Guidance for what we are to do for the community
Instructions for Us, Our Life
- How we are to speak
- How we are to manage wealth, possessions, money
- How to deal with food & drink
- How to deal with anger
- How to deal with time management
There are so many things we are told to do, we do not have to wonder what God’s will is for our life.
The Gospel Message: With the Good News means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On – (ESV) Matthew 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Community Prayer – August ’22
Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
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