Gods will for your life is to have a close, personal, intimate love relationship with you!
God is a person, not a religion!
God’s will for your life is to know and love Him. Yes, you can know God. He not only wants you to know Him, He wants you to love Him! Why would you love God? Because He created you, He sustains you, and He redeems you. In a word, we love God because He loves us!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).
The greatest commandment is all the bible is repeated in Matthew 22:37-40,
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
You will not find this in any religion, philosophy, or system of thought! You will not find a more profound concept, or greater wisdom anywhere in human existence, literature etc. What would happen if we all loved God with all of our hearts our neighbor as ourselves? You think about it—what would happen to our world if we all obeyed this one simple command?
There is a huge difference between believing in God and believing God. Almost everybody believes that God exists. But God is a person not a religion and you can know Him personally.
Check out Deut. 4:29:
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
In Romans 1:18-21 the bible says there is no excuse for unbelief,
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
First of all we must believe that God exists. But how can we know for sure? The answer is found in Psalm 19:1-8,
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its ace. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
Consider and meditate on the first three verses: “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night nto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.”
In other words, take a good look at the sun, the moon, and the stars. God is asking, How do you think they got there? They declare my glory just as sure as a skyscraper proves there was a designer and a builder!
2. God’s will is that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
That is to say, it is the will of God for all men to be saved from eternal death. Keep reading to learn more…
1. Mark 1:14-15, Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Repent means: Change your mind, turn around and go the other way. In other words, stop living as if God does not exist—unbelief is a sin.
What does it mean to believe and what am I supposed to believe?
There are many people who say things like, what does it matter what people believe, as long as they are sincere in their faith! Allow me to illustrate.
A few years ago in Chicago, 7 people died from taking what they thought was Tylenol. The capsules were actually filled with cyanide. They never did catch the people who did it. Were they sincere in their belief that what they were ingesting would help them? The answer is,”Yes.” They were sincere.
Unfortunately, what they believed was wrong, their faith was misplaced, and they were sincerely wrong. It cost them their lives.
More than 85% of people polled say they “believe in God.” Believing that God exists doesn’t make you one of His children any more than eating at McDonald’s makes you a hamburger! I believe you exist too but that is not the same as knowing you personally.
God’s promises in time and eternity are contingent upon us believing Jesus.
Mark 9:23-24, “And Jesus said to him, ‘If You can, all things are possible to him who believes.'” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and {began} saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Mark 11:23, “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be {granted} him.”
John 3:14-16, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 8:24, “I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am {He} you shall die in your sins.”
The most common answer I receive when I ask people, “How do you know you are a Christian?” Inevitably the answer is, “Because I believe in Jesus!”
- Hindu’s believe in Jesus + 330 million other gods!
- Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet.
- New Ager’s believe in Jesus too. Almost everybody believes in Jesus.
The Bible says that all you have to do to get into heaven is to believe in Jesus! But the Bible also says that even the demons believe in Jesus and you won’t see them in heaven!
So what does it mean to “believe in Jesus” and what am I supposed to believe?
First of all, there is a huge difference between believing “in” Jesus and “believing” Jesus. Intellectual ascent is not biblical faith.
Why is getting this right so important? Because our salvation is equated with believing.
Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Acts 16:30-31, “… and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.'”
The question is, what does the Bible mean when it says “believe?”
The Gospel of John is where we find the word “believe” more than any other book of the Bible—96 times to be exact.
The Greek word we translate “Believe” is found in Strong’s Concordance # 4100. The word is pisteuo (pist-yoo’-o). It is used as a verb and it comes from the same root as the word “faith.” It means: to believe in, to trust in, and to rely upon Jesus to save you.
Double checking for accuracy, I looked up the word “believe” in the Zondervan Biblical Encyclopedia. It said, “See faith.”
In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says,
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
This is from Matthew 9:28-29,
“And after He had come into the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?'” They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘Be it done to you according to your faith.'”
The question becomes, “What does it mean to have faith?”
The Zondervan Biblical Encyclopedia shows the Greek word, “Pistis” for the word faith:
- conviction of truth with the included idea of trust.
- fidelity, faithfulness.
So, what does it mean to have faith?
I Cor. 4:1, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
Who are the epistles written to?
Eph 1: 1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Matt. 25:21, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Ravi Zacharias said,
“In the Hebrew language there is no word for faith apart from the idea of faithfulness. And in our being faithful to Him we find the purpose for which we were designed in a greater way, that is not bondage that’s liberating. Our faithfulness to Him is the key to unlocking the treasure of all that He has given to us!”
What does it mean to be faithful?
Hebrews 5:9, “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.”
I Th. 1:6-8, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
I Pet. 4:17, “For if it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
Matt. 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'” And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
I John 3:22, “… and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.”
John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
To believe, to have faith, to be faithful, and to obey are all different words for the same thing.
You cannot believe without having faith, and you cannot have faith without being faithful, and you cannot be faithful without being obedient.
John 14:15-16 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
“Faithfulness (obedience) is the result of faith, never the cause of it..”
Faith takes us beyond intellectual assent—it’s a conviction. The difference between a preference and a conviction is: a preference is something you can change your mind about. A conviction is something you’re willing to die for.
What am I supposed to believe? That Jesus was God in human flesh!
Matt 9:2-7, Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.
Matt 14:25-27, “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Matt 28:5-10, “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
Mark 2:3-12, “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Luke 18:35-43, “Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Luke 23:42-43, “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
John 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 6:29, “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'”
John 8:24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am (God), you will die in your sins.”
John 10:30, “I and the father are one.”
John 11:41-44, “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
John 14:9, Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
John 20:27-28, “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Col 1:15-19, “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Rev 22:12-13, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
More on God’s will for your life
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 4:3-8
The seventh of the ten commandments is, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” But this commandment is much deeper than just adultery. God says sexual immorality begins in the heart. Here is how Jesus explains it in Matt 5:27-29 ,
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery. ‘But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
The very first institution ordained by God in the Bible was marriage.
And, that is defined by our Creator as a sacred relationship between one man and one woman. In Genesis 2:24 God said,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Then, in Genesis 39:9 (500 years before God gave Moses the Ten Commandments), we find Joseph resisting the advances of his boss’s wife by saying,
“There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
How could Joseph have such a deep conviction about sexual immorality 500 years before God gave Moses the Ten Commandments? Romans 2:15 provides the answer,
“The law is written on every man’s heart.”
It was 1,500 BC when God gave Moses the greatest moral code known to man in the Ten Commandments. All pagan religions celebrated sexual immorality as a form of worship to their gods. The Canaanites and the Babylonians worshiped Baal, which included temple prostitution. The Greeks and Romans also had their own forms of “sanctified prostitution.”
The doctrine of marital fidelity is a foreign concept to all man-made religions. The Judeo-Christian worldview alone teaches that human sexuality is sacred. It is sacred (holy) because it began in the mind of God.
Eccl 12:9-14,
And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright — words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
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