An Article of Faith

We know God’s will through His Word.
Knowing the will of God must not be thought of merely as finding a certain vocation in life. That aspect represents only a small part of God’s will. Rather, the will of God is for everyone to live in conformity to His revealed will in His Word.
First of all, and most important, the will of God means believing in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior:
“For this is the will of My Father,” declares Jesus, “that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).
If you do not take this first step in doing God’s will, you will not be saved from judgment; if you do you will live forever.
Second, there are clear statements of Scripture which teach that God’s will for every believer in Christ includes being filled with the Holy Spirit:
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT).
Also, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
Third, the Bible is God’s will and must be applied to our lives:
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8).
Of course, this involves commands to be obeyed, principles to be followed, prohibitions of things to be avoided, and living examples to be imitated or shunned.
God takes great joy in those who do His will: “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Although the Bible is a complete revelation of God’s will, there are always decisions we must make that are not covered by specific statements in Scripture. In such instances we must be in fellowship with the Lord, seek principles from the Word, obtain advice from godly counselors, use common sense, and remember that God works through our circumstances as well:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.