(Adapted from, “Thou Our Guide,” in Knowing God, by J. I. Packer)

Some Underlying Assumptions about God and His Will
1. God is the sovereign ruler over all things, including our lives (Psalm 139).

2. God has a plan for His creation, which He is working out according to His will (Ephesians 1:11).

3. God has communicated His plan for His creation ultimately through Christ, and it is inscripturated for us in His Word, the Bible (Hebrews 1:1-4).

• It is under this overarching plan for all creation that God has a specific plan for us as individuals (Romans 8:28-30).

Some Common Pitfalls that Cause Us to Fail to Do God’s Will
1. Unwillingness to think – We have the mind of Christ, and it is being renewed. Therefore, we are to use it (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)!

2. Unwillingness to think ahead – “Would that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would discern their future.” – Moses giving Israel a song before they enter the land in order to warn of God’s judgment if they disobey (Deuteronomy 32:29).

3. Unwillingness to risk – We want comfortable easy lives, but we must realize that following Christ is not easy (Matthew 10:16-25).

4. Unwillingness to suspect our own motives – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, . . .” (Proverbs 12:15a).

5. Unwillingness to take advice – “but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (Proverbs 12:15b).

6. Unwillingness to suspect others’ motives – “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

7. Unwillingness to wait – “Wait on the Lord” is found throughout Scripture – even Jesus when it came to His assignment said in certain instances, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:2:4; 7:30; 8:20).

8. Unwillingness to obey – “If you love Me,” Jesus said, “you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

• We must obey God’s revealed will. In order to do so we must know His revealed will: God’s Word, the Bible. If we are to know God’s Word, then we must be in God’s Word!
• There is no reason to think that the Holy Spirit will guide us apart from God’s Word. God’s Word is the FIRST place we must turn in order to discern God’s will.
• You must obey what is clearly revealed in God’s Word. This may be where many need to begin today. A renewed commitment to obey!

What If We Fail to Do God’s Will (disobey)?
1. We must repent, knowing that God is slow to anger and forgiving.

• Jesus restored Peter (John 21:15-19).

2. We must know that God not only restores the repentant but He uses our failures for His glory and for our good (Romans 8:28).

• Remember David’s sin? Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba.

Love,
Pastor Juan

© High Pointe Baptist Church

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:
By Juan Sanchez. © High Pointe Baptist Church. Website: highpointeaustin.org

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