We aren't asked to know where He is leading us, only to follow Him.
A former pastor of mine used to say that knowing the will of God was about 90% common sense. I tend to agree. What is the will of God? To love Him with all our soul, heart, strength and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The rest is just a matter of who, what, when, where and how.
I agree. The will of God is not some mystical direction that we must be super spiritual to be able to know and hear about. The will of God is simple. It is in being good and responsible and just and forgiving toward one another. The will of God is not about whether we should buy that house across town or not. Though if we ask God he may give us some extra knowledge about which decision will lead us to greater happiness. But, the will of God is not about what is best for us or even what makes us happy. The will of God is mostly about what we do for others and the other parts are covered by common sense. I'm not saying we shouldn't be happy. We should. I'm not saying we shouldn't ask for God's guidance in the big decisions of our life. We should. I'm just saying that these things aren't what the will of God is about.
As far as loving God... what does it mean to love God? What things does a person that loves God do differently than a person who does not?
Dont forget the written word. The will of YHWH in many matters is found right there.
Yes it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoovie
I was waiting for this. Would you say even most matters? If it's not addressed in scripture, I think we do well in most cases to resist the temptation of saying GOD HATH SAID...
IMHO
I agree. "God hath said" is dangerous when it's not written in the bible. Saying, "I feel like God is leading me" is usually closer to the truth than saying "God hath said" unless its written in the bible
I agree. "God hath said" is dangerous when it's not written in the bible. Saying, "I feel like God is leading me" is usually closer to the truth than saying "God hath said" unless its written in the bible
I read recently that it is much more likely that "taking God's name in vain" is saying "God said" when He didn't. That statement sure make a person stop and think, but it also makes a lot of sense.
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What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
I agree. "God hath said" is dangerous when it's not written in the bible. Saying, "I feel like God is leading me" is usually closer to the truth than saying "God hath said" unless its written in the bible
I wouldn't say that it has to be just as written in the bible, but in alignment with the word. His leading will never go contrary to the principles found in the Word.
I mean, you have wacko people who said "God said that I was to divorce my wife and marry another" well... the word of God is against that, so that word or supposed leading sure wasn't God.
I just quit worrying about "the perfect will" and if I am abiding in him, and he is me.. I will be doing what he wants me to.
Following his leading or his voice isn't always audible in real time (although it has been before) but still you learn to know him through his word which I believe is how he can speak to us... and along with the Spirit, there is a leading.
I think sometimes people frustrate themselves with trying to be in his will... just live his will.
I mean, the Word speaks against stealing, lying, killing, sexual impurity, etc. so His will for us is to be honest, moral people according to His Word.
His Word tells us to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's like taxes and being obedient to the civil laws unless they violate one of God's laws so His will is to be law-abiding citizens who pay our taxes.
Just those directives cover an awful lot of our every day lives.
We have the privilege of having the written Word. That's something that folks didn't always have.
I mean, the Word speaks against stealing, lying, killing, sexual impurity, etc. so His will for us is to be honest, moral people according to His Word.
His Word tells us to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's like taxes and being obedient to the civil laws unless they violate one of God's laws so His will is to be law-abiding citizens who pay our taxes.
Just those directives cover an awful lot of our every day lives.
We have the privilege of having the written Word. That's something that folks didn't always have.
I agree. The will of God is not some mystical direction that we must be super spiritual to be able to know and hear about. The will of God is simple. It is in being good and responsible and just and forgiving toward one another. The will of God is not about whether we should buy that house across town or not. Though if we ask God he may give us some extra knowledge about which decision will lead us to greater happiness. But, the will of God is not about what is best for us or even what makes us happy. The will of God is mostly about what we do for others and the other parts are covered by common sense. I'm not saying we shouldn't be happy. We should. I'm not saying we shouldn't ask for God's guidance in the big decisions of our life. We should. I'm just saying that these things aren't what the will of God is about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfrog
As far as loving God... what does it mean to love God? What things does a person that loves God do differently than a person who does not?
A person who loves God loves themselves and loves others.
A person who loves God will study His word and pray, and do their best to obey the Bible, too, but if they don't love themselves or others, who are made in the image of God, how can they love the very God?
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
__________________
What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
A person who loves God loves themselves and loves others.
A person who loves God will study His word and pray, and do their best to obey the Bible, too, but if they don't love themselves or others, who are made in the image of God, how can they love the very God?
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
The bible offers many conceptions of God. Sometimes as a Father. Sometimes as a Friend. Sometimes as a King. Does it matter which conception of God we use when we pray?
For example, someone that views God more as his King will approach him much less in prayer and only over weighty matters as opposed to someone who views God as friend who will approach god all the time and over most anything.
Hybrid Mode
