PRIORITY LISTINGS AND GOD’S WILL
Perhaps, this is a good time and place to have a little conversation regarding the idea of priority listings and their relationship to God’s Will in the Christian’s life.
Many of us have spent considerable time under the influence of religious institutions, denominations, and para-church organizations.
Over the years, these dedicated groups develop priorities and practices they wish to extend to their followers. Eventually, they are formalized into traditions, rituals, liturgy, and lore.
These crafted formalities are collected and assembled with the best of intentions for giving guidance and instruction to those becoming associated with the group. There is usually a high level of expectation for the group members to explicitly carry out the proffered rubric.
The expectations and identification priorities can even become the body politic of the group. Likewise, these expectations and priorities can, very conveniently, be employed by the group leaders as management measures for the control of the behavior of the individuals within the group – all with the best of intent, of course.
Let’s see if we can illustrate by using a very simple example:
I have worked with different church leaders who have espoused different priority listings for their church constituents. One church pastor presented his list of priorities. The following list portrays how members are to prioritize their time, effort, activities, and dedications in regard to carrying out their Christian life under God:
FAMILY
CHURCH
JOB
LOST WORLD
RECREATION
He stated that, “If the family is ‘first’ under God, then the other priority factors will all balance out very well.”
Instantly, another pastor in the discussion group responded vigorously, “No, no, my brother, you are wrong! There are no statistics to show that just because you have good families in the home, you will be guaranteed a good church. The priority ranking has to be:
CHURCH
LOST WORLD
FAMILY
JOB
RECREATION
The pastor went on, “If the church is not the highest priority under God, you will fail as a leader. If I can’t get the constituents trained that the church is most important, under God, then how will I ever be able to make them show up on Sunday mornings to teach Sunday School, or work in the parking lots, or come early as “greeters”, or faithfully sing in the choir, or faithfully give their tithes and offerings to the church? They have to learn their priorities – and it’s my responsibility to teach them!”
As I have studied God’s Word and carefully listened and watched over the years, I have become convinced that the factors of the church, the family, the job, the lost world, and recreation, are all absolutely important and legitimate. But in priority listing, they are not “static” but “dynamic” in their ranking. They freely move, they interact with each other, and revolve from one position of importance to another. At one time or another, each will be at the focus point of importance within God’s plan and purpose.
How will you know when a certain factor moves to that focus spot and becomes the top priority spot? That’s Right! – The very Holy Spirit of God, who is living the very life of Christ through you will be faithful to enlighten your Spirit, your mind, your emotions, your will – and instantly inform you of the immediate priority.
It is fair enough, however, in a discussion like this, that we recognize, and be aware of the possibilities of folks with good intentions who would tend to interrupt the divine process by inserting themselves as “divine providences” into the process. When that happens, there is a distinct possibility that arbitrarily, a legitimate area in your life – or someone else’s life – will be moved from the intended position of dynamic priority to a position up and outside of God’s divine process.
As we have learned in this session, the Holy Spirit of God is faithful to lead you and guide you into His perfect Will – and then help you to accomplish His Will.
Morning by morning he awakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Lord God has spoken to me and I have listened . . . Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I know that I will triumph. (Isa. 50:4-7 TLB)
CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE IN DESIRING GOD’S WILL
This same Christ, who through the power of the Holy Spirit desires to live His life and ministry through us today, once walked this earth – just like we walk today. During His lifetime here He became the perfect example for us regarding God’s Will in His life:
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing take this cup from me; yet, not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22: 41-42 NIV)
Christ was never expected to be a robot. He realized that He too had the power to choose. He possessed rights to His own will, yet He waived those personal rights in favor of pursuing God’s Will and God’s eternal plan for His human life.
Throughout the entirety of Christ’s earthly life, we see a consistent movement on a day-to-day basis toward the perfect fulfillment of God’s Plan through His life. He was not striving “to do the Will of God,” but rather, He was “being the Will of God.”
Christ knew that the fulfillment of God’s Will through His life was best for Him: “I delight to do Thy Will!” There is nothing on this earth that will give us more delight than being God’s Will. It seems strange when we observe someone who is dreading the very thought of having to yield and “finally having to give in and submit to doing the Will of God.”
Being God’s Will is the most fulfilling, most rewarding, most natural, most glorious phenomenon that we could ever experience as a perpetual occurrence in our life. Some people think that it is a hard thing to do the Will of God. Quite the opposite is true! The hardest thing on you in all the world is to not do the Will of God. If you really want to experience stress, frustration, and grief – just don’t pursue God’s Will.
Christian character is formed in us one episode at a time. As we rightly perceive the situation, conscientiously weigh the alternatives and consequences, we then have the opportunity to onpurpose choose to put into motion the alternative which is most consistent with the very character of God Himself. That sequence builds into us Christian character.
GOD’S WILL AS IT RELATES TO MY DESIRES AND ABILITIES
Many times, we hesitate to pursue God’s Will in our individual lives, fearing that the pursuit will lead to some undesirable lifestyle. We are afraid that we are not equipped for what might be required of us. We fear the possibility of failure and surmise that we will probably be required to become involved in something that we won’t like.
Becoming God’s Will does not mean that you set aside your own God-given abilities. He created you, fully aware of who He wanted you to become. God will never require of you something for which He cannot adequately equip you. The chances are very great that what He has in mind for you will closely parallel your own affinities and abilities. Don’t be surprised if you find that as you allow God’s Plan to be lived out through you, that you are getting to do the things that are the most possibly fulfilling to you:
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of the faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Prov. 2: 6-10 NIV)
IF I’VE MESSED UP, WILL I ALWAYS BE LIVING WITH “SECOND BEST?”
Here is some wonderful news for you. . . God’s great grace makes provision for you to live the victorious Christian life today, even though you rejected His Will in the past. That life of victory and fulfillment is entirely dependent upon you pursuing and accepting His Plan for your life starting NOW, and continuing every day of your life, henceforth.
It is true that we may still have to live with some of the scars we collected as a consequence of choosing our own way in the past. There are no guarantees that God will undo those consequences which we have set into motion when we acted contrary to what we knew to be right and neglected His counsel.
It is true, that as a result of our past stubbornness and selfishness, and all those wasted years and lost opportunities, it may appear that we would be relegated to a life of “second-best.”
You will recall, however, that the incomprehensible provision made available through the Born-Again life and the Spirit-Filled life, you are able to realize and experience God’s “Amazing Grace” that makes it possible to start out now and see that which we would call “second-best” marvelously transformed into a life that is indisputably “First-rate.”
Facing the reality of the issue of “second-best” vs. “first-rate” should seriously cause us to recognize the dreadful results of wrong desires and choices. It should make us determine in our hearts to WASTE NO TIME in neglect or disobedience, but rather, be quick and complete in our allowing God’s Plan to be lived through us always:
Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk, lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. . . The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right, and best to those who humbly turn to him. . . Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God’s circle of blessing. . . (Ps.25:4-13 TLB)
The only way that is guaranteed to know God’s Will is to intimately know God. The consistent intimacy with His thoughts, His mode of operation, and the familiarity of His voice, gives a greater assurance than all the visions, hunches, ecstasies, dreams, or pieces of advice from the saints, all put together.
You can have a relationship where you can know and you know you know, based on your intimate relationship with God Himself. You discern what He wants -- because you discern Him!
A PRACTICAL METHOD FOR DESCERNING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
Sometimes, it is good to have some practical helps to aid in discerning God Himself and His Will for our lives.
Years ago, before the days of computers, radios, radar, or GPS, the captains of sea-going vessels were guided safely into harbor by a very practical method. They were directed by lights. . . harbor lights. The captain knew that he could sail safely into harbor if he correctly made use of the lights. Three harbor lights were used in the guidance operation. They were positioned in a manor, that when all three lights were lined up perfectly, the single beam of light could be followed with confidence into the harbor.
The system would not work unless all three lights were lined up to make one light. It was the responsibility of the captain to discern the route of safety into the harbor and avoid the rocks, reefs, and shallow waters by utilizing that simple method.
I think that following that same simple method of guidance will be helpful as you endeavor to discern God’s Will for your life. It has been a help for others in the past. There are three guiding factors to be utilized as harbor lights. All three must be present and in alignment for the successful passage:
Absolute Honesty in Wanting God’s Will
Choose What Seems Right and Most Fulfilling
Depend Upon the Holy Spirit to Check You
ABSOLUTE HONESTY IN WANTING GOD’S WILL
As you endeavor to discern God’s Will for your life, can you say with absolute honesty that you want His Will in your life at any cost? Are you willing to live with whichever alternative He would have you choose in the situation?
This is the first harbor light. If this factor is not steadfast and absolute, then there is no way to line up the other two. Your motive in discerning Gods’ Will for you must be pure and unmixed.
CHOOSE WHAT SEEMS RIGHT AND MOST FULFILLING
The second harbor light is not too difficult to line up, once you are certain of its identification. The use of the “3-Cs” may help here:
Concept: You will begin to move toward one of the alternatives. Many times, God’s Will is exactly what you want for yourself because of the mind of Christ in you, guiding you in the decision.
Consistency: God’s Will is always consistent with His Word in the Scriptures. It will never conflict. At this point, you may want to review the Scriptures on the subject.
Circumstances: This will have a lot to do with just good common sense. You also draw on God’s supply of wisdom here. For example: the chances are very slim that it would be God’s Will for me to be voted “most valuable player” in next year’s NFL Superbowl!
DEPEND UPON THE CHECK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The third harbor light is extremely necessary and requires a high degree of confidence in the Holy Spirit. But now that you have examined your own heart – now that you are sure your motives are pure – now that you want God’s Will at any cost – now that you have decided to do what seems to be right and most fulfilling – you can rest in the full confidence that God will check you if it is not His Will.
The Holy Spirit will bring an uneasiness or heaviness of heart to show you the mistake of your decision:
If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. . . (John 7:17 KJV)
This verse is saying that if your motive is pure and you want only God’s Will, He will guide you, and you will know if it is of God or of man.
My own father was a wonderful author. I would like to share here, one of his poems regarding this subject of God’ Will. It is one of my favorites:
I HAVE NO WILL BUT GOD’S WILL
Rev. Richard W. Jackson
I have no will but the will of God.
No will but His alone.
Shout it through the judgment hall,
Let it re-echo when judgements fall.
I have no will of my own.
I have no will egocentric or bent
That surrounds some rebellion of self.
But all that I have I would concentrate
And to God and others would dedicate
With my soul like an empty shelf.
I have no will but the will of God,
To live or yet to die.
I desire above all to seek His face,
To walk illumined in the light of grace.
To know God is my deepest cry.
I have a will to do His will.
I desire to conform and comply.
But above all things of flesh and earth,
Outweighing all values from death to birth,
Is to obey and not question why.
I will to choose the true and the good.
The beautiful, the happy, and free.
I invite the assistance of Heaven’s aid
Where all of perfection’s patterns are made,
To accomplish these things in me!
Next Week: Economics and the Christmas Story