(avg. read time: 3–5 mins.)
Now we get to the more typical focus on the question concerning God’s will in terms of specific dimensions. Namely, “what is God’s will for me/my life?” When one asks this question, they usually mean to refer to their calling in life, mainly concerning vocation. Of course, this question can also be asked in terms of marriage and family, taking occupations (or leaving occupations, whether or not for others), going on mission trips, and so on. It is not possible to offer a catch-all guide to determining God’s specific will precisely because of specificity. The path to wisdom runs through the city of Contextual Sensitivity. What I mean by that is an awareness of and sensitivity to all of the particular considerations of each specific situation. Otherwise, one applies ointment to both burns and severed limbs. This is admittedly more difficult because the previous task was determinable by Scripture, while Scripture could not possibly address this issue in all of its specificity. The best one can do in addressing this matter generally is to determine some basic guiding principles, grounded in Scripture, in discovering God’s specific will.
First, it is important to note something that is latent in the previous entry but which I did not find place to address. That is, the Christian life is lived in the context of the community of believers. No one lives to, for, or by themselves (Matt 5–7; 25:31–46; Rom 14:7–9; 1 Cor 12–14; 2 Cor 5:15; Eph 4; Col 3:15–17; James passim). The Christian life is properly lived in a community of believers reflecting their oneness resulting from their worship of one God and pursuit of one Truth. Keeping this context in mind is crucial for understanding not only the points of the previous installment but in understanding the points that follow this one.
Second, specifically in terms of vocation, it must be remembered that God gifts all followers in some fashion and for the benefit of others (Rom 12:3–8; 1 Cor 7:7; 12; Eph 4:11–13; 1 Pet 4:10–11). As these passages proclaim, God does not gift followers arbitrarily, but does so in accordance with wisdom, for the purposes of edifying and strengthening the Church. The lists of gifts are clearly not comprehensive (as each list differs), but they include prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, discerning the spirits, tongues, and interpretations of tongues, as well as appointments to ministries of apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, guides, and so on. As indicated by all of these passages, as well as the progression of 1 Cor 12–14, the fact that the gifts are given communally means that they are to be used in a context of unity and order within the Church for each member has their particular function and they have an ordained harmonious relationship with the gifts of other members. Individual believers should reflect on how they have been gifted by the Holy Spirit and use their gift for the Church. For God has equipped individual believers with gifts appropriate for his purposes. Discovering what it is and submitting to the Spirit’s guidance of how to use it are key to determining God’s specific will.
Third, as already mentioned, wisdom is crucial. Wisdom comes from learning from God and living the Christian life (Proverbs passim; 1 Cor 1:18–2:16; Eph 1:8–10, 17–23; Col 1:9–14; 2:16–4:1; Jas 1:5; 3:13–18). Thus, by determining and following God’s general will, one gains greater insight into determining and following God’s specific will. This manner is in fact the way in which reasoned, reflective, examined and ethical lives are supposed to work: understanding individual situations in light of the greater story to which one adheres and by which one understands the world.
Fourth, a perpetually essential element of discerning and performing God’s specific will is prayer. Part and parcel of our prayers should be for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:9–13//Luke 11:2–4; Matt 26:39//Mark 14:35–36//Luke 22:41–42, Matt 26:44//Mark 14:39; Acts 26:29; Rom 15:30–33). Prayer is to be one of our expressions of faith in God (Matt 21:21–22//Mark 11:22–25; Rom 12:12; Jas 1:6). It is in fact a crucial weapon in our fight against evil, for it puts us in communion with God (Matt 5:44//Luke 6:28; Mark 9:29; Luke 18:1–14; Acts 4:23–31; 8:22; 16:25–26; 2 Cor 1:8–11; Eph 6:18–20; Phil 4:6–7; Heb 4:16). From these passages and others, one can clearly see that prayer is a medium through which God grants empowerment and deliverance (Luke 22:43–44; Acts 4:31; 6:6; 8:15; 9:40; 13:1–3; 28:8; Rom 8:26–30; 2 Cor 13:5–10; Eph 1:15–23; 3:14–21; Phil 1:3–11, 19; Col 1:9–14; 4:3–4; 1 Thess 3:10–13; 2 Thess 1:11–12; 3:1–5; Jas 1:5; 5:13–16; 1 John 5:16). Part of this empowerment is precisely God’s granting to the believer the power, ability, and wisdom necessary to do God’s will.
In the end, all I can offer are tools and principles for determining and following God’s specific will. One must determine and follow God’s specific will in the context of the believing community. One must determine the ways in which they have been gifted by the Spirit and discover how to use it in God’s purposes. One must be granted wisdom by God, which comes through following God’s general will. And finally, one must frequently pray to be guided to God’s specific will and to be empowered to do it.