Don't act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do. - Ephesians 5:17 NLT
I am a planner. I agonized over God's will for my life when I was young. I wanted God to show me His plan, and I honestly wanted to follow that plan. So likewise, young Christians often spend a lot of time trying to discern God's will for life's big decisions about their careers and whom to marry. The truth is that we all make decisions every day, but some decisions weigh heavily, and there is not always a clear path to follow.
One thing is clear: we were made to worship God.
My wife and I recently went to see Thor: Love and Thunder. Without spoiling the storyline, it portrayed a group of gods that demanded worship but cared little for the needs of their worshippers. Zeus was comically portrayed as delusional, and the gods were self-absorbed. The ancient Greeks would not have ascribed sacrificial love as a trait of Zeus. Ancients indeed would have agreed that the gods demanded worship and believed their worship could persuade the gods in their favor through prayer and sacrifice.
The God of the Bible is not a megalomaniac like Zeus.
Our God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Three are One, and love is at the very heart of who God is. He invites us into fellowship with Him to share His love and love with others. John tells us, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NLT). Rather than demanding a sacrifice of us, God provided the sacrifice of Jesus. God loved us first. Because of the work of Christ, God's favor rests on us so that we can worship and adore Him.
What does God require of us?
Jesus said the greatest commandment is, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'" (Matthew 22: 37-39 NLT). God requires us to love as we have been loved and to love Him with all our being.
We will be in His will when we love God with all we are. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him." (Romans 12:1 NLT)
Dig Deeper
1. In what ways have your beliefs about God been influenced by culture?
2. How can you fulfill God's will to worship Him with your life?
Verses for God's Will:
1. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. - 1 Peter 2:15 NLT
2. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! - 1 Peter 3:17 NLT
3. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. - Philippians 2:13 NLT
4. Anyone who does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother. - Mark 3:35 NLT
5. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. - 1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT
6. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. - Proverbs 19:21 NLT
7. I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart. - Psalm 40:8 NLT
8. May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen. - Hebrews 13:21 NLT
