What Does God Want?

What does God want for your life? We all say we want God’s will? Most of us struggle to find it. However, we usually limit it to major decisions in life. Should I take this job or that job? Which college should I attend? Who will be my perfect mate? Some of us agonize over what we think God may want us to do; others assume that God wants whatever is in our best interests, whatever will make us happy, so that is how we decide.

There are a handful of things we can know for certain that God wills for our lives.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification.

(1 Thessalonians 4:1)

Many of us think Sanctification is something that is automatic, coming with salvation instantaneously. Not so, that is Justification. The process of Sanctification begins with our salvation, but it is never completed in this life.

The strict definition of Sanctification is “to set apart something for the use for which it was intended.” The “set apartness” takes place at the moment of salvation. The living out of that “set apartness” takes a lifetime. It involves a constant search for what God wants us to do with our lives. It involves active engagement in ministry. It involves intentional learning and study of the Scriptures that we might discern what God expects from us.

Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to bring about this work in me. The question is, “Am I willing to bow my will to His? Am I willing to put myself under his complete guidance, saying ‘More of Thee and less of me?’” Am I willing to say I will give up that which I dearly wish was God’s will for that which I see revealed in His word to be true? Am I willing to let God do in and through me everything He can for the furtherance of His kingdom and the glorification of His name?

It is time for the body of Christ to become more Christ-like. We often pray that the Spirit of Christ would fill us. Now, we must add to our prayers the actions which are indeed Christ-like.

Know, as you begin, that the road is too difficult for you. That is why Jesus provided the Comforter from the very first days of the Church. The path is steep and the way is hard. Each of us battles against our own nature, a way that seems right, but which the Holy Spirit tells will lead to our own spiritual downfall.

We have spent enough time trying to remake God in our image, with our likes and dislikes. It is time for us to be remade in His.

Pastor Craig