This is a great time to be part of our worshipping community here at Hebron! God has so richly blessed us! It is also an essential time of discernment for us; seeking and following the Lord’s will in key upcoming decisions is crucially important—we need God’s wisdom!
On the other hand, seeking wisdom and discerning God’s will are things Christians should always be pursuing. But how do we do that? How do we know what God’s will is? In His providence, the Lord has told us exactly how in His Word.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
The Apostle Paul gives us three steps for discerning God’s will: (1) not conforming to the world; (2) the transformation of our minds; and (3) embracing and affirming God’s plan.
First, we need to recognize that the world has its own ideas on the good life, on what we should be doing, on how to find peace and satisfaction. While there might be nuggets of truth here and there, the world’s pursuit cannot be our own, and resisting being molded and shaped by this alien view is a necessary step in seeking God’s will. If we cannot or will not turn from the world’s vision, we will never be able to embrace the Lord’s.
Second, knowing God’s will requires transformation, newness, regeneration. It requires a change in the way we think, act and live. And, at a fundamental level, this involves a “renewing of the mind.” The patterns of our thinking are shaped initially by our fallen state—the very way we think needs to be reshaped by our Lord, so that we might think His thoughts and hear His voice.
Finally, knowing God’s will actually means following God’s will. It is not enough for us to intellectually know what our Father in Heaven desires; the Christian will yearn to live a pleasing life in His eyes. Once we turn from the world and all it values, set our hearts and minds on the things of God, knowing His will means giving ourselves over to it, affirming it, embracing it. This is an act of submission, love and devotion to our God: acknowledging His rightful authority and will in every situation.
In the months ahead, you will often hear of the need to seek God’s will, to discern His desires for us. This is a call for us to reflect again on the difference between our will and the Lord’s, on His thoughts and ours, on His ways verses our own. This will entail hard work on our part—lots of prayer, lots of dedication, lots of faith. But we do not operate in a vacuum, this is not our fight. James reminds us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).
Therefore, with confidence, let us go before the throne of grace, seeking wisdom, so that we might turn from evil, be transformed in our minds, and embrace that which He has ordained for us. Will you ask the Lord to reveal His will for your life, for your family members, for our church? Join us, in prayer and (if possible) in fasting, all…to the praise of His glory!
-Henry Knapp, Pastor