By Cheryl Mah
As Christians, we ought to be entirely subjected to God from the beginning. In every thought, word, or deed, we should seek to practise unreserved commitment and grow from strength to strength in complete obedience to God.
1.Knowing God’s Will
We are by nature sinful and because of sin, our hearts drive us to wilfully sin again and again. Unless we decide to give up our own will and ways by abandoning ourselves fully to God, to allow God’s Word and Spirit to renew our minds, we can never know His perfect will in and for our lives (Romans 12:2). By surrendering ourselves, we are placing our all in God’s care and allowing Him to cleanse and purify our hearts (Psalm 51:10).
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2.Learning God’s Will
Before we can hope to know His will in the personal and specific areas of our lives (John 7:17), we must first obey God’s common will found in the Scriptures. However, it is not enough to know the will of God and we must earnestly do what God has commissioned us to – in His way, in His time, and according to His anointing.
It is not wrong of us to desire and expect that God will teach us His will. However, we need to realise that God’s will is beyond the human intellect, therefore being teachable is also vital to obedience (Psalm 25:9) – since the Holy Spirit works effectually through those who humble themselves before God with a willing heart.
3.Faithfully Abiding In God’s Will
As Luke 16:10 points out: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
One great biblical example is David, whom despite having committed several egregious sins, was named by God as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). David was considerably flawed, but what made him worthy of such an honourable description? Well, regardless of imperfections or sins, a man after God’s own heart is one who actively seeks to live in obedience to God and responds properly when confronted with his sin.
In David’s case, it was not so much the nature of his sins that is significant; rather it was that he acknowledged his sins with humility, and truly repented of them (2 Samuel 12:5–13). David was unafraid of admitting his transgressions and his soul could be touched by truth. He also sought to live his life in obedience of – and fully dependent on – God, and faithfully waited many years on God’s promise to make him king (1 Samuel 24:4–7).
When it comes to obedience to our beloved Master, there can be no half measures. We must give up our entire self to Him (Romans 12:1), or else we will soon falter and fall. Ultimately, to truly be able to cling to God, we must first seek to die to ourselves (Galatians 2:20) and submit to God’s will. As Jesus prayed while in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
REFLECTION
Romans 12:2
“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.”
Reflection Questions:
- How do you discern the difference between God’s will and your will?
- What can you do to learn God’s will?
- In what ways will you actively seek to live in obedience to God?