Confession…
Understand, the epiphany that accompanied the revelation that we ‘KNOW’ what the Ultimate Will of God for Christians “IS” “is making all the difference…”
(“What Good” & “What Good Revisited”) That is my confession, that until I discovered that truth, I was walking around in the dark.
I can not begin to count how many times I have followed Job and asked God ‘Why’ this or that happened in my life. I have frequently fallen back on the old standby, “God is sovereign, and He has a plan…” Or resigned with, “I do not know why, but I accept this as His will.” Alternatively, when I thought I was more ‘mature’, “I do not need to know why, but accept this as His will.”
Now clarity shines like the Son… There is no more wandering around in the shadowy ethereal mystery of “God’s will for my life…” God revealed His Ultimate Will. He wants us to be more like Christ (Romans 8:28, 29). Everything that happens today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year - is to that purpose.
Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34.
There is an instruction, “Seek first the kingdom of God”. Following it is an admonition, “do not worry about tomorrow.” Thinking about this passage in relation to Romans 8:28, 29 deepens the meaning.
If one is seeking God, recognizing that God’s intent is to make one more Christ-like, what is there to worry about? Even the ‘age old’ ‘mature Christian’ axiom of ‘discovering God’s will for one’s life’ seems a little weak.
If God’s Ultimate Will is that one be more Christ-like, then we can lay it at His feet…
How many times have we prayed a prayer like, “God I need discernment to make a wise decision.” It IS a valid prayer. At the same time, have we done (here is a secular but truly appropriate phrase) due diligence? Have we searched the scriptures (Acts 17:11)? Have we sought wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14)? Are we seeking “first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? Are we being obedient to what we already know to do (John 2:5)? Are we trying to bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Have we asked for wisdom (James 1:5)?
Most importantly, are we open to learning to be more Christ-like (Romans 8:29)? That is true discernment - being open to whatever God wants to make us more Christ-like.
That is the bottom line - God’s leading, God’s ‘will’ for our lives is all about that one principle: That we become more like Christ.
To adapt a quote from a Robert Frost poem, “That is making ALL the Difference.”
(“What Good” & “What Good Revisited”) That is my confession, that until I discovered that truth, I was walking around in the dark.
I can not begin to count how many times I have followed Job and asked God ‘Why’ this or that happened in my life. I have frequently fallen back on the old standby, “God is sovereign, and He has a plan…” Or resigned with, “I do not know why, but I accept this as His will.” Alternatively, when I thought I was more ‘mature’, “I do not need to know why, but accept this as His will.”
Now clarity shines like the Son… There is no more wandering around in the shadowy ethereal mystery of “God’s will for my life…” God revealed His Ultimate Will. He wants us to be more like Christ (Romans 8:28, 29). Everything that happens today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year - is to that purpose.
Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34.
There is an instruction, “Seek first the kingdom of God”. Following it is an admonition, “do not worry about tomorrow.” Thinking about this passage in relation to Romans 8:28, 29 deepens the meaning.
If one is seeking God, recognizing that God’s intent is to make one more Christ-like, what is there to worry about? Even the ‘age old’ ‘mature Christian’ axiom of ‘discovering God’s will for one’s life’ seems a little weak.
If God’s Ultimate Will is that one be more Christ-like, then we can lay it at His feet…
How many times have we prayed a prayer like, “God I need discernment to make a wise decision.” It IS a valid prayer. At the same time, have we done (here is a secular but truly appropriate phrase) due diligence? Have we searched the scriptures (Acts 17:11)? Have we sought wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14)? Are we seeking “first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? Are we being obedient to what we already know to do (John 2:5)? Are we trying to bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Have we asked for wisdom (James 1:5)?
Most importantly, are we open to learning to be more Christ-like (Romans 8:29)? That is true discernment - being open to whatever God wants to make us more Christ-like.
That is the bottom line - God’s leading, God’s ‘will’ for our lives is all about that one principle: That we become more like Christ.
To adapt a quote from a Robert Frost poem, “That is making ALL the Difference.”
posted by Unchained Slave at 4:18 PM
1 Comments:
Bravo! Or more appropriately, Hallelujah! For Christ is all and in all, and all things are from Him, for Him and to Him, that He may be glorified in all. An excellent word from the Lord, thanks for sharing!!!
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