Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Rev. Dan Whang
We have so many choices today. Food, people to date/meet/marry, where to live, what career/job, etc. But for the Christian there is not just trying to make the best choice, but also trying to glorify God. We are not just about trying to make ourselves happy.
God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Two prerequisites to discerning God's will
Present our bodies as living sacrifices
Be renewed by the renewing of our minds
Practical steps of decision making
1 Believe God's word
Is it sinful? Does it glorify God? Does it damage ourselves, our witness, or those around us?
A. Remember the Gospel (our security is in God, not the consequences of this decision)
B. Remember God's sovereignty (God's purpose will come to fruition/completion)
C. Remember God's mission (we are His witnesses.)
2 Listen to godly counsel (advisors)
A. Those who are around you the most
B. Those who are godly and experienced
C. Your spiritual leaders
Are you already decided before God had chimed in on your life? How do you react to counsel that does not sound pleasing or goes against your inclination?
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15 ESV
3 Make a decision, do what you want
God has used His word and godly counsel to supply you with sufficient wisdom to make sounds, biblical decisions that glorify God and fulfill His good purposes for you.
We aren't looking for some sort of sign from God. This is not how we are to discern His will. God normally leads us thorough biblical wisdom and godly counsel.
Follow thorough on your decision. Don't make yourself crazy by asking what-if. Focus on the path that you have chosen.
4 Ask for faith
We are not promised tomorrow. We are not called to an easy life. But rather to take up our cross. Our lives are a mist.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 ESV
The Principle of Love (Romans 14)
The kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking... but it is about righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We should abstain when it becomes a stumbling block to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should seek to love first above our own enjoyment.
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