Do Whatever He Tells You To by Beth

“They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night; a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”  Acts 16:6-10

What I love most about this particular passage of scripture is that within the text Luke describes each person of the trinity directing the steps of these men together as an inseparable work of God. They are “forbidden by the Holy Spirit” and “The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” Then, notice after the vision, they concluded that God (Father) had called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia. Saints, we don’t always understand how our God is working, and we may not always “see” Him working, but know this, He works. Our triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) is always at work for His glory, His purposes and our good.  

As a believer, I desire to do the will of God in my life as a wife, a mom, a teacher, a sister in Christ, and as a friend. How do I know what the will of God is for my life?  I read the word of God and ask the Spirit to give wisdom and discernment as I read it. I was recently reminded from a sermon I read from a pastor friend of mine, Justin Deeter, that the book of Acts is descriptive of the church and not always prescriptive. In other words, Luke, in this particular passage, is reminding us how God led this mission. He is not telling us that we need to wait for a vision from the Lord before we act in every decision. What we are to do is seek the Word of God in every decision to determine the will of God for our lives.  

There are several verses to consider in seeking what the will of God is for any decision you make. First, God’s will according to scripture is for us to make Christ our priority. Matthew 6:33 reads, “But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Is Christ a priority in your life? 

Secondly, God’s will according to scripture is for His children not only to pursue holiness, but to be holy. I Peter 1:14-16 reads, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” God’s word is clear that God desires us to be holy, sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  In every decision, ask yourself does this help me or hinder me in being holy? 

Another verse teaches us that the will of God includes having a grateful heart. We are to always be giving thanks to the Lord in everything. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Are you giving thanks to the Lord in all things? 

In closing, let me remind you that often we can use our wrestling over the will of God just to cover up our laziness and disobedience. Do we wait on the Lord for clarity? Yes! However, indecisiveness can cover up a lack of faith in God’s daily working in our lives. We must also guard against impulsive decision-making. I am guilty of this. I often have to confess this impulsive behavior. We can’t spiritualize our laziness or sanctify our disobedience by “cloaking it in the modern Christian parlance of waiting for the will of God”  (Justin Deeter). As John 2:5 reads, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”  

When we become a believer, we submit our lives to Christ’s orders. According to 2 Timothy 2:3-4, we are soldiers, and Christ is our Commander in Chief.   We obey his direction and his call on our lives, being sensitive to the working of the Holy Spirit in what He is directing us to do with our lives. Above all, our desire as believers should be to obey whatever command Jesus gives us. We are to go where He calls us to go and do whatever He asks us to do. May we discern the will of the Lord with wisdom, and in the Spirit, act in faith, trusting in the sovereignty of our glorious King and Redeemer.  

How is the Lord having you respond today?