(This message series is inspired and excerpted from Heaven is Now by Andrew Farley)
“The idea that we can miss out on God’s ‘secret’ will for our lives and be doomed to a lesser existence is a popular notion that has struck fear in the hearts of many Christians today.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him![9] Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
[10] The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:8-10 ESV)
Essentially, it is a challenge to the goodness of the Lord. We will never ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ as long as we are afraid that he might punish us with a hopeless future (or a future with less hope!) because we failed to choose what he had secretly planned for us as the ‘God option.’
[Share your story about the last time you struggled with knowing God’s will for your life.]
If you’re not familiar with this popular teaching, here’s more or less how it goes. God has a perfect will, and that’s like the center of a target, the bull’s-eye. Then God has a permissive will, and that’s like the rings just outside the bull’s-eye. Then lastly, there’s the ‘entirely out of God’s will’ zone, which is like an outer ring of darkness. You don’t want to be there.
Your job is to continually hit the bull’s-eye throughout your life. Listen carefully, and you’ll always make the right decisions—the right house, the right spouse, the right job, the right church. It’ll all be smooth sailing if you just follow God’s leading. He’ll tell you what to do. And if you can’t hear his will very clearly, it’s probably because there are some unconfessed sins in your life. Get those cleared up, and you’ll be able to hear again!
This type of belief system is dangerous. …Some Christians are stuck like a deer in the headlights, not making a move until they hear from God. Others made a move long ago when they thought they heard from God, and now they’re stuck in an incredibly difficult consequence and wondering, ‘How did God let this happen? I did exactly as he told me!’ Still, others feel like they haven’t heard from God concerning his will in years. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ they begin thinking. ‘Maybe I do have some unconfessed sins in my life, but I think I’ve confessed them all. Did I miss one?’ Then they start trying to connect the dots between their current circumstances and past actions, trying to figure out what they did wrong to make God go silent on them. At this point, they stop believing in the effects of the cross and start believing in a Christian karma of sorts, retribution from almighty God.” (loc. 1907 of 2138)
Which one of those Christians do you most identify with, and why?
About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. [15] The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” [16] So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. [17] If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [18] The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:14-18 ESV)
“…The Scriptures never once speak of God’s will as something that we go in and out of like a revolving door.” (loc. 1907)
“A quick survey of the New Testament reveals that God’s will is that we bear much fruit; that we pray without ceasing and give thanks; that the gospel be extended to the Gentiles, not just the Jews; and that the gospel be proclaimed throughout the earth.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:8 ESV)
Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—[12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13 ESV)
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [23] if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23 ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
That’s God’s will, plain and simple. And that’s the goodness of the Lord.” (loc. 1919 of 2138)
What are some of the ways you have complicated God’s simple truth? Try to describe the freedom in simple truth.
“Whether we realize it or not, this perpetual pursuit of God’s perfect will is ultimately about us trying to stay right with God. The Bible calls this ‘righteousness.’ But righteousness is not gained through finding and doing a secret list of things that God has picked. Our righteousness comes from the death and resurrection of Christ, nowhere else.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. [30] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV)
And once we take hold of that righteousness and are awakened to its sufficiency, we no longer need to be trapped in the bottomless pit of ‘finding God’s will for our life.’ Admittedly, this freedom is uncomfortable at first. But it ultimately breeds sound thinking, responsible choices, and a big God who is behind every door in life. This helps us awaken to God’s grace in every circumstance and taste the goodness of the Lord.” (loc. 1931 of 2138)
Heaven Speaks: (What Jesus might say if he were sitting right here)
“My new way means you experience the liberty of my Spirit. I have not given you a spirit of fear but a sound mind in me. Do not be afraid of missing Father’s best, as if it were a set of mysterious plans that you must somehow find. Father’s will is me. Father’s will is that you express my life. He simply desires for you to choose me in every moment, bearing my fruit. In so doing, you fulfill Father’s will for your life. I have placed my very desires within your heart and mind, and I have vowed to be with you now and for eternity. You belong to me and know me instinctively. You need not search for me and my will as if I am far off. Through my new way, I have made you close. I am the support beneath you, and I go before you into battle. I am one spirit with you, always. This is my covenant promise to you. My spirit assures you, again and again, that you are born of me. You are a child of my resurrection. Knowing me is your prized possession. Expressing me is your one and only ministry. Listen to my Word and my Spirit as I reveal to you the truths of my new way. Talk with me and give thanks for all I have given you. In this way, you fulfill the Father’s will for your life. Taste my goodness, and know that I love you. – Jesus” (loc. 1940 of 2138) (inspired by 2 Cor. 3:17; 5:18; Gal. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:7; John 15:8-9; Heb. 6:5, 13-19; 8:10-11; 1 Peter 2:9; Jer. 29:13; 31:34; Col. 1:17, 22; Phil. 3:8; 4:13; 1 Cor. 2:13; 6:17; Rom. 8:16; Luke 20:36; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Psalm 34:8)
Awakening to Heaven: (a sample closing prayer)
“Thank you, Jesus, that I don’t have to go searching in the dark for your will. You have revealed your will so clearly to me. You wanted to save me, and you did. Now you want a relationship with me – to counsel me, mold me, and shape me. Your will is that I exude you, bearing much fruit in this life. No matter where I go and no matter what I do, there you are with me. Somehow, even in my darkest hour when I have made foolish choices, you are with me and work it for my good. Thank you, Jesus, for being God’s will in my life. I love you too.” (loc. 1952 of 2138)
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