37:55
Discerning God's Will | Colossians 3:15-17 | Gary Hamrick
Cornerstone Chapel - Leesburg, VA
Overview
This video explores how to discern God's will, emphasizing that it's not about finding a single, perfect path but rather staying within God's broader plan through faith and obedience. It highlights that while everyday decisions may not require divine intervention, major life choices do. The teaching focuses on four key practices: living a holy life, renewing one's mind to align with God's thinking, immersing oneself in God's word, and heeding the peace of God as an internal guide. The message encourages trust in God's mercy and redirection, even when perfect will is missed, assuring listeners that as long as they love Jesus, they remain on His target.
How was this?
Save this permanently with flashcards, quizzes, and AI chat
Chapters
- Discerning God's will is a common and significant question for believers.
- There's a distinction between major life decisions and minor, everyday choices.
- Seeking God's will is crucial for decisions with substantial consequences.
- God's mercy allows for redirection even when His perfect will is missed.
Understanding the difference between major and minor decisions helps prioritize where to seek divine guidance, preventing unnecessary anxiety over daily choices.
Minor decisions like what to wear or where to eat after church do not typically require deep spiritual discernment, unlike major decisions such as choosing a college, career, or spouse.
- God's will can be understood as a target with a bullseye (perfect will) and a larger area (acceptable and good will).
- As Christ followers, even if we miss the exact bullseye, we are still within God's acceptable and good will if we love Jesus.
- God's mercy actively redirects believers towards His ultimate purposes, even through a 'zigzagged' life path.
- A fatalistic or legalistic view of missing God's will can be overcome by understanding His grace and redemptive power.
This perspective alleviates the fear of making irreversible mistakes, fostering a more trusting relationship with God who is gracious and capable of guiding us.
A family moves for a job in Cleveland, believing it's God's will, but it turns out to be a disaster. Instead of despair, they can trust that God will redirect them, and this experience might even be part of His plan (e.g., a short-term mission trip).
- Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated to God, is a core aspect of worship and discerning His will.
- Holiness, as described in scripture, is central to God's character and His desire for believers.
- Honoring God with our bodies includes our sexuality, actions, words, and what we consume.
- Living according to God's known will (revealed in the Bible) is a prerequisite for discerning His unknown will.
A holy life aligns our actions with God's nature, making us more receptive to His guidance and less likely to live in contradiction to His known commands.
The Bible explicitly states God's will is sanctification and abstaining from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3), demonstrating a clear, known will that impacts our ability to discern other aspects of His plan.
- Believers must actively renew their minds to avoid conforming to the world's thinking, which often conflicts with God's perspective.
- Constant exposure to media and societal norms shapes our thinking, necessitating a transformation through Christ's mindset.
- To discern God's will, one must learn to think like God thinks, bathing the mind in His principles.
- This renewed thinking applies to major life areas like relationships, career, and finances.
A mind renewed by God's perspective allows us to evaluate situations and make decisions that are aligned with His values, rather than worldly standards.
In relationships, instead of adopting the world's 'hookup culture' or 'test-driving' partners, a renewed mind asks biblical questions like spiritual compatibility and shared values.
- The Bible is the primary source for understanding God's thoughts and principles, serving as a lamp and light for our path.
- God's word dwells richly in us, transforming our minds from worldly to godly perspectives.
- Scripture reveals God's will directly through specific passages and indirectly through overarching principles.
- Applying biblical principles helps in discerning God's will for situations not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Immersing ourselves in scripture equips us with the wisdom and understanding needed to navigate life's complexities and make God-honoring decisions.
While the Bible doesn't mention 'Cleveland,' understanding biblical principles about stewardship, family, and ministry can guide a decision about moving there, as illustrated by the speaker's decision to focus on ministry ('feed the sheep') rather than immediate building acquisition ('build your house').
- The peace of God, acting like an umpire (brauo), helps arbitrate decisions and make judgment calls.
- This peace is an internal compass guided by the Holy Spirit, not merely an emotional feeling.
- Experiencing God's peace provides a 'green light' for action, while its absence suggests a 'yellow' or 'red light' to pause.
- Going against this inner peace, even for seemingly great opportunities, often leads to regret.
Heeding the peace of God serves as a vital, internal confirmation system, preventing us from pursuing paths that are not aligned with His will.
If considering a job offer or a relationship, and despite external pressures or perceived benefits, there is a lack of peace, the wise course is to walk away, trusting that God will provide another path.
Key takeaways
- Discerning God's will is a process, not a one-time event, and involves trusting God's mercy and redirection.
- God's will encompasses a broad scope (good and acceptable) beyond just a single perfect path.
- Living a holy life is foundational for clearly hearing and understanding God's guidance.
- Transforming our mindset to align with God's thinking is essential for making God-honoring decisions.
- The Bible provides direct instruction and indirect principles that illuminate God's will for our lives.
- The peace of God acts as a crucial internal compass, guiding us away from wrong paths and towards His best.
- Obedience to God's known will (from scripture) is a prerequisite for discerning His unknown will.
- Even when we miss the 'bullseye' of God's perfect will, as long as we love Jesus, we remain on His target.
Key terms
Discern God's WillLiving SacrificeRenewing of the MindWord of Christ Dwelling RichlyHoly LifePerfect WillAcceptable WillGood WillPeace of GodUmpire (Brauo)
Test your understanding
- How does the concept of God's 'perfect,' 'acceptable,' and 'good' will provide comfort and perspective when making major life decisions?
- Explain the connection between living a holy life and the ability to discern God's will.
- Why is it important to renew one's mind, and how does this process help in understanding God's will?
- In what ways does the Bible serve as a guide for discerning God's will, both directly and indirectly?
- How can the 'peace of God' function as a practical tool for making difficult choices, and what are the implications of ignoring it?