Q: How can I know what God’s will for my life is? – Jake

A: Jake, this is probably one of the most common questions I get as a pastor. People throughout history have wanted to know what God’s will is for their life. God also wants us to know what His will is for our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church in Ephesus, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5.17)

The will of God can be broken into two parts. The first part is what we call the public will of God. This is what God wants for every single person who has ever lived. Those things that are included in the public will of God are found throughout Scripture.

The first and foremost thing that God wills for every person is that they would be Born Again. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3.9) To be Born Again you have to admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to pay for your sin debt, and call on Him asking for salvation. It is God’s free gift to every person.

After a person receives salvation and is Born Again the Lord desires that you would be obedient to Him and be baptized. In Acts 8 Philip the Evangelist was in a desert place when he met an Ethiopian traveler. The man was reading from the Old Testament book of Isaiah and pondering the things of the Lord. Philip began to preach the Gospel to this Ethiopian. The man asks Philip, “Here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Philip responds with the statement, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” The Ethiopian gladly affirms, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” After this profession of salvation, Philip baptizes the man. Baptism does not impart our salvation, it is a statement to the world that we have been Born Again.

After salvation and baptism the Lord wants each person to be a working member of a Bible-preaching church.

To be a working member of a church means you support the church through financial giving, volunteering, inviting others, praying, encouraging, and being faithful to services. Many people are members in name only. They say they attend such-and-such church, but they spend very little time or effort helping further the work of the church. They may show up on occasion, but they are not working members. The churches we see in the New Testament were full of people who not only were members, but they were working as well.

A Bible-preaching church is one whose doctrine (set of beliefs and teaching) is aligned with the Word of God. Apart from our salvation the Bible is the most precious thing that we have. It is eternal, trustworthy, and sure. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119.89) A church’s doctrine, preaching, teaching, preferences, and practices all should be based solely in the Scriptures.

The second part of God’s will is a little more complicated. It is the private, or personal, will of God. 

The private will of God is what God wants for you specifically to do with your life. I, by way of the Scripture, can tell you with confidence what God wills for all of humanity, but I can’t tell you what God’s personal will for your life is. 

It is possible that God is calling you into the ministry to serve as a Pastor, Youth Pastor, Missionary, etc. It is also just as likely that God is calling you to be a Doctor, Lawyer, or Accountant. Whatever God is calling you to do for a profession, He wants you to be a dedicated follower of Him and to be a witness wherever you are. 

Here are some simple things you can do that may help you figure out what God’s will for your life is. 

First, get involved in a Bible-preaching church. Attend every service, sign up for every opportunity to serve, and invite others to join you at church. Second, spend time daily in prayer and Bible reading. God knows your heart, but He also wants to hear your voice. He wants you to ask Him so He can answer. Third, find a good Christian mentor who can help you discern God’s will. 

God wants you to know His will and I believe that He will make it known if you are serious about wanting to follow Him.