Discovering God's Will: A Path to Alignment and Understanding

As we navigate life, we often ponder a fundamental question: how can we discern God's will for our lives? Our journey to understanding His will requires diligent study of the scriptures and a transformation of our mindset. This article explores the steps to uncover God's will and our personal journey to live according to His desires.

Step 1: Studying the Scriptures

The journey to understanding God's will begins with a study of the Bible. Start with the foundational documents such as the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule which form the bedrock of ethical living (Exodus 20:2-17 and Matthew 7:12).

Continuing with the Gospels, read John, Luke, Romans, Acts, and Galatians to gain insights into God's teachings and the responses of early Christians (John 14:15, Luke 10:25-37, Romans 12:1-2). These books will address most of your essential questions.

For a deeper understanding, delve into the Old Testament, including key passages from Genesis, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes (Genesis 1:26-27, Proverbs 3:1-9, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Reading Matthew and Mark and the rest of the New Testament will provide a comprehensive view of God's will and expectations for believers (Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 12:28-31).

Ultimately, reading the full Old Testament will offer a broader perspective and deeper insights into God's ongoing journey with humanity (Deuteronomy 29:29, Joshua 1:8).

Living According to God's Will

Once you have gained a solid understanding of the scriptures, it is time to live according to that understanding. Embrace kindness, honesty, and fairness, and focus on building fulfilling relationships and leading a happy life (Matthew 5:45, Proverbs 10:9).

However, remember that God's will is not about our desires, wishes, or hopes, but about aligning ourselves with His divine purpose. As natural beings, we may not initially align with His will, but we must strive to do so.

Recognizing God's Will

One simple rule of thumb is to recognize God's will when doing something that is inconvenient at an inopportune time, or when you dislike the person or type of person you are serving. Think of the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) as a guiding light.

As you continue to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will gradually transform and become more attuned to His will (Romans 8:5-8). This process may require recognizing and overcoming our natural inclinations and desires.

Understanding the Nature of God and Love

God is fundamentally Love (1 John 4:8, 16). This Love encompasses all of existence and is present in everything. Understanding this is the true form of worship (John 15:9-10).

The world or physical reality was designed as a playground for creative expression but has been transformed into a battleground. This transformation has led to pain, suffering, and challenges, providing us with opportunities for self-discovery and growth (Romans 5:3-5).

Darkness, ignorance, pain, and suffering serve a higher purpose: to reveal our divine nature and to empower us through contrast (Romans 5:3-5, 6:23). We are only strengthened when we give no power to our ego over our being (Philippians 3:3-4).

By surrendering our egos and embracing the Christ within us, we can find true liberation and authenticity. This path means letting go of all forms of hate, fear, worry, and desire, ultimately realizing that we are the Love and the Christ, the son of the one infinite creator (Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 2:9-10).