God's Will

KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD

 

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the

will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17, NIV)

 

A Daily Encounter reader asks, “How does God’s will and our

free will work together? I’ve been wanting an answer to this

question for a long time and need help to overcome this hump

in my Christian walk.”

 

Here’s a simple illustration that I trust will help answer this question.

If you are a true Christian, imagine yourself going through life

on your way to heaven on a train. The train represents God’s will

and its destination is totally under his control. However, our

free will gives us the freedom to move anywhere we like on that train.

 

To live in harmony while on the train, we need to abide by the

“rules of the train.” That is, live in accordance with the principles

found in God’s Word, the Bible. This is living in harmony with the

will of God. We also have the freedom not to live by the rules but will

end up causing strife to ourselves and others.

 

Also… while on our journey through life, as God has given all of us

both natural and spiritual gifts, his will is that we develop and

use these to serve him by helping others. He has also given us the

freedom to do or not to do these things… and we will be rewarded

accordingly.

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that as a child of yours

my destination is in your hands and nothing can ever derail your

train! Thank you, too, for the free will you have given me to choose

to love and serve you while on my journey through this life. Help me

to do this faithfully all the days of my life. Gratefully in Jesus’ name.

Amen.”