Mark 3:31-35 NKJV 31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” 33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

 

Commentary: Jesus is saying that whosoever does the will of God is in His family, so if you want to be part of the family, then you need to be connected to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was clearly teaching that just because someone is a blood relative, that does not mean that they are part of the Kingdom of Heaven. For there are only two kinds of people on this planet, those who are lost and those who have been saved. In these verses Jesus was also teaching that whoever stays close to Him are His family. This is the will of God for your life, to stay close to Jesus!

 

Luke 7:24-30 NKJV 24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 “But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 “This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 28 “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

 

Commentary: John’s baptism was about repentance. John baptized those who repented of their sins. Now we see that Jesus clearly teaches that the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. What this is saying, is that they would not repent of their sins and humble themselves to be baptized by John. According to Jesus, John was the greatest prophet who ever lived, yet “he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” By saying this, Jesus is teaching that once you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that you now become a child of God and now you are a member of the kingdom of God. These verses clearly teach that a repentant heart and acceptance of Jesus as Lord, justifies you to be a member of the kingdom of God, which in turn is God’s will for your life.

 

Acts 13:33-39 NKJV 33 “God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 “And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 “Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 “but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

Commentary: These verses are teaching us about Jesus, that God sent Him into this world to die on a cross and to be resurrected from the dead. He shows us the difference between a mere man and the Messiah (Jesus), that king David (mere man), was buried and turned back into dust and Jesus who was resurrected from the dead and His body never seen corruption. We also see that we are forgiven of our sins when we believe in Jesus and that the Law of Moses only brought about the knowledge of sin and the condemnation of sin, but only through Jesus are we forgiven of sin. Like king David, who “served his own generation by the will of God.” We also have those who serve our generation, they are people such as preachers, teachers, pastors, lay people and others. As David these people are flawed, just as you and me, but God is faithful, He did not tell us to follow them, but to follow Him. That is the reason that we do Bible Study, in order to get to know God and His Son, so that we can discern between the truth and the lies that Satan is constantly throwing at us. There are a lot of false teachers out there, but there are also a lot of good teachers out there. As you seek the truth, the Holy Spirit will continue to lead you into all truth. Remember this is also God’s will for your life.

 
Romans 1:8-10 NKJV 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

 

Commentary: We learn some principles to live by as a child of God in these verses. To thank God for our fellow believers, to serve God “with my spirit in the gospel of His Son.” To continue to pray for our fellow believers, and to ask God to make opportunities for us to be able to interact with our fellow believers. Paul is asking for God to show him a way to go see his fellow believers, if it is God’s will. Paul knows that if it is of God, that God will make it happen, but that Paul needs to pay attention and walk through that door when it opens. These principles are also God’s will for our lives.

 

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

 

Commentary: Thank God for these verses!!! Every time I read these verses it brings joy to my heart, for I know what kind of sinner that I am and that I need the Holy Spirit to continue to intercede for me according to the will of God. I pray for things, but I do not necessarily know that I am praying God’s will in my life at times. But, I know that the Holy Spirit truly knows what I need and this brings joy to my heart knowing that He is interceding for me. This, thank God, is God’s will for our lives also!!!

 

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

Commentary: These verses are definitely the will of God for our lives. To present your body as a living sacrifice to God. To live holy pure lives with our bodies. Not to defile them with such things as sexual immorality, for even the word of God, says that sexual sin is the one sin that directly affects the body. This is where sexually transmitted diseases come into to play. According to these verses, this is our reasonable service to God, to be holy with our bodies. Not that we are not to have sexual relations, but to do it God’s way. Sex was created by God and given to man, to use properly, in a marriage covenant. This is how God can bless your sex life. This is why this verse says, “do not be conformed to this world”, it is basically saying that you are not to live like everyone else and defile yourself every opportunity that you have, but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Start thinking differently, keep yourself holy and connected to God and watch how He blesses your life. This is how you prove “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 

Romans 15:30-32 NKJV 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

 

Commentary: We learn some principles that we need in our Christian lives here in these verses. That we all need to ask for prayer!!! That we are going to have enemies when we do the will of God in our lives and that we need to come together in order to be refreshed. Paul is asking for prayer, that his work will be completed, for protection against his enemies and that God will fill him with joy, so that when he gets to Rome that they can be refreshed together. These principles are also God’s will for our lives.

 

1 Corinthians 1:1-8 NKJV 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Commentary: We see multiple things in these verses. We see that Paul recognizes that he has been called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ “through the will of God.” We see that Paul is speaking about sanctification (being set apart) and Grace. We see that Paul is thankful for all these believers, he asks God for peace in their lives, he recognizes how God has enriched them and gave them knowledge, he recognizes God’s work in their lives, that they are lacking nothing, he also recognizes that Jesus is going to get them to the end, so that they will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. These principles are also God’s will for our lives, to recognize how God is working in others and to recognize that we cannot do it all and that God is faithful and He will do the work in our lives that we cannot, for He is the “author and finisher of our faith.”

 

2 Corinthians 1:1-8 NKJV 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

 

Commentary: In these verses we see that Paul and his brothers who are traveling with him have suffered many different things while they were in Asia. Paul “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” is praying blessings to the church of Corinth, he praises God and thanks Him for being a God of mercy and comfort. He continues to tell the church of Corinth that God is always with them and sees their tribulations, that God will comfort them during their sufferings, and that they will also be able to console others after their sufferings, for this will be part of their salvation process. I personally believe that a lot of the suffering that we go through is for our own good, that God uses our sufferings for our purification, to sanctify us, so that we are ready on the day of the Lord. Even though we do not fully understand why we suffer and go through the things that we do, we do know that it is God’s will for our lives. He sent His innocent Son to die a horrific death for our benefit, not His own. But it pleased the Father according to Scripture, why? Because, by Jesus pouring out His innocent blood, the Devil lost at Calvary. You see, the Devil was judged right there, for in Genesis it says that anyone who kills an innocent man, that his life is required of him to right the wrong. This was God’s will, to redeem mankind back to Himself through the death of His innocent Son. So when we are going through suffering, remember God has some kind of purpose in it, whether we understand it or not, God will use it for our good and the good of others, that is the God we serve!

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 NKJV 1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

 

Commentary: Paul is telling about the great faith of the Macedonia church to the church in Corinth. How they gave all they had to offer, willingly! This was obviously something that impressed Paul, that he had to brag about their spirituality. The fact that they had given out of their poverty wholeheartedly, first to the Lord and submitted themselves to the authority of Paul and his church planters. This is also the will of God, to submit ourselves to Him and to those above us in the church. To give freely and willingly. Stay connected to the cause of the church, preach the gospel and make disciples of men. Sharing whatever God has bestowed upon us with others.

 

Ephesians 1:1-14 NKJV 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

 

Commentary: We see four different times that the “will” is mentioned in these verses. The first time “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”. Paul establishes that he is an apostle by the will of God, not by his own authority. In verse five we see that the Father has adopted us as sons “by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will”. We see that it is God’s will that we be adopted into Gods family, through Jesus. We see in verse nine that God, “having made known to us the mystery of His will”. This is speaking about how God revealed through Jesus that His plan was to redeem mankind back to Himself and in the end gather all His people together, Jews and Gentiles, on earth and in heaven. In verse ten, we see that we were “predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will”. God takes no other counsel besides His own. His will, will be done, period. Like it or not!!!!!!!! Get in line with Gods will and you will, know the will of God for your life.

 

Ephesians 6:1-9 NKJV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

 

Commentary: In these verses we see that Paul is telling the Ephesian church to obey the authority that is put into place by the Lord Himself. Children to obey their parents. He gives instruction to fathers, not to be too harsh with their children. He tells bondservants to be obedient to their masters, “doing the will of God from the heart”. So what does that mean? Well, let’s look at the concept behind all of these instructions. By obeying the authority that is in place, whether it be in the family or the work place, such as your boss, for an example, we see that it is the will of God for you to obey them. It is also the will of God, that those in authority do not abuse the authority given to them. God really wants us to give from our hearts and not just for those to see that are around us at the time, but to really apply ourselves in whatever we are doing. Whether that is obeying our parents, being a parent, being a good worker, or being a good boss, truly do the best job you can and this is the will of God, for your life.

 

Colossians 1:1-12 NKJV 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

 

Commentary: We see that Paul is praising the church of Colosse, for their love of God and all the saints, that their love is well known and bringing forth fruit. Paul and his team pray for the church, that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”. This is God’s will for your life, to be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. God wants to fill you with knowledge of His will, for your life, He wants to give you wisdom and spiritual understanding. God wants you to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work that you do, and that you will increase in knowledge of Him. It is God’s will, that you will be strengthened will His might, according to His glorious power. That you will have patience and joy with the longsuffering that will happen during this life. That you will give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. These things are the will of God for your life, all of these principles.

 

Colossians 4:7-17 NKJV 7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

 

Commentary: In these verses we see that Paul is giving praise about his fellow workers for the Lord. He is lifting them up and giving them credit where credit is due. Epaphras was praying fervently for the church of Colosse, that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. This is fervent prayer, for we know that the Greek word of “perfect” can also be translated as “mature”. He was saying that he hopes that God will answer his prayer and make them “stand mature and complete” before God the Father. That this is the will of God, that we “stand mature and perfect” before Him. This is God’s will for your life!!!

 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 NKJV 1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

 

Commentary: These verses could not explain the will of God for your life any plainer. God wants you to be sanctified (Set apart). To abstain from sexual immorality. To control yourself and honor your body. That we are not to take advantage of people, especially in sexual matters, do not defraud each other, for the Lord is the avenger of all such behavior. God has called us to holiness. That if we reject this for ourselves that we are rejecting God and His Holy Spirit, that He gave to us. This is the “will of God” for our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 NKJV 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

 

Commentary: Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. We are to do all of the things listed above, they are the will of God for our lives. We see in the rest of these verses things that we are not to do, such as “do not quench the Spirit”, we do this when we do not obey the spirit and instead feed the lust of the flesh. There are other instructions also, such as “test all things; hold fast what is good”. We also see that it is God’s will that our whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The best part of all these verses to me is this very last one, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” The reason this is my favorite part, is because I am not faithful and that I have found through the years that I cannot do it, but “He Can, and He Will”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I am not trying to do my part, but I understand that He is a lot more faithful to Himself, than I can ever be towards Him, thank God!!!

 

2 Timothy 1:1-12 NKJV 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

 

Commentary: This is God’s will for our lives to understand that we have “Life” through Him (Jesus). For it says in verse 10 “now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”. What this is saying is that Jesus Christ abolished the sting of death and brought eternal life to all those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Also in these verses we see that the Lord wants us to stir up the gifts that God has given us, as His children. To understand that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This is God’s will to live out our Christian lives without fear and to trust God, to understand that God has given us power, love, and a sound mind. God has done all of this according to His own purpose.

 

Hebrews 10:32-39 NKJV 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

 

Commentary: As we see in these verses that suffering for the cause of Christ is also God’s will for our lives. We are told “do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” The reason that it says this, is because “you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” For our promise is that Jesus will come back and reward us for all of our faithfulness to Him. “For the just shall live by faith.”

 

1 Peter 2:13-17 NKJV 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men– 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

 

Commentary: We see that “by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men”. What the Lord is telling us, is that when we do the right thing, making right decisions, being good to people, loving on them, being merciful with people, not participating in evil practices, being respectful to all people, that we are going to put to silence all of the accusations that ignorant foolish people say about us. For people are truly judged by their actions, not necessarily by their words.

 

1 Peter 3:15-17 NKJV 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

 

Commentary: In these verses we are told to always be ready to give an answer for anyone who asks, why we live the way that we do, to have a clean conscience. These verses also tell us that people are going to accuse us of being someone that we are not, but that it is the will of God to suffer as Jesus did. In these verses we also see that we can either suffer for doing the right thing or doing the wrong thing, but that it is better to suffer for Christ, than to suffer for doing wrong.

 

1 Peter 4:1-5 NKJV 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

 

Commentary: These verses describe something that every Christian has done and needs to do. We either are doing the will of our flesh or the will of God. According to Peter we use to walk in our own will doing what the Gentiles do, all the things of the flesh. But Christ has shown us how to have victory over the flesh. We need to have the same mind as Christ, for He suffered in the flesh and has ceased from sin. This is the trick to overcoming the flesh and starving out its evil desires. When we learn self control, we really need to stick to it and perfect it. Discipline, Discipline, Discipline, Discipline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1 Peter 4:12-19 NKJV 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

 

Commentary: In the last three sections of verses that we have read, we see that suffering for Christ is obviously a theme that God wants us to get through our heads. That this is His will for us as His children. That we are going to suffer for the cause of Christ, but don’t lose heart, for God constantly reminds us that Jesus Himself suffered as we do. God is also reminding us that when we are suffering for Him, that we are bringing glory to God Himself, and that His Spirit of glory rests upon us. He also reminds us not to suffer for doing wrong, but when we suffer it should be glorifying Him. In verse 19 we also see that we are to commit our souls to God, in doing good, for He is a faithful Creator.

 

1 John 2:15-17 NKJV 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

Commentary: These verses speak of the tactics of our enemy the Devil, to keep us in sin. The love of the world!!! The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!!! For Satan uses these worldly things to keep us sinning. I am going to use an example of lust of the opposite sex. The enemy will use the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life as your downfall. You will see this person that you think is the one for you, this is the lust of the eyes. You like what you see! The lust of the flesh is when you hear this person speak, then you like the way they smell, then you are just amazed at how they make you feel, when they touch you. Now we are going to address the pride of life. This is when you are thinking, how good this person looks next to you, everyone knowing that this is your woman or man. There are many ways that the enemy of our souls uses these tactics though. He uses these same tactics with material possessions, I love the way that car looks, how it drives, and everyone knows how much it costs. See how he does this in so many ways? Now that we know how the Devil uses these tactics upon us in this world, we need to recognize it when it is happening to us. For the Lord tells us that all of these things are passing away and because of that, should we be wasting our time pursuing these things? All of these things are temporary, that Satan tries to get us to waste our time on. But God tells us that the things that we pursue for Him, will not ever pass away!!!

 

I hope that this study has been enlightening to you in some way of what the “Will of God” is for your life and what He expects out of you as a Christian. God loves us and wants us to understand that He is involved in our lives on a daily basis. I have heard it said that the Christian life is not a day by day life, but a moment by moment life. For we know that the LORD is with us every moment of everyday. We might not know that He is there and there are times that it seems as if He is not listening, but I can tell you that putting together this study has definitely clarified some questions about my faith and also of what the will of God is for my life. I will leave you with this verse Micah 6:8 NKJV 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Enjoy the rest of the study, for this a series of bullet points, for quicker reference. God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The Will of God:

• Those who do the will of God are in the family: Mark 3:35 NKJV 35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
• Those who reject God are not in the family of God: Luke 7:30 NKJV 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
• That every generation God raises up people for Himself: Acts 13:36 NKJV 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
• That by God’s grace we will learn to discern God’s will for our lives: Romans 1:10 NKJV 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
• That the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us constantly: Romans 8:27 NKJV 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
• That we need to control ourselves and do not defile our bodies. Let God transform us by the renewing of our minds: Romans 12:1-2 NKJV 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• That we need to ask for prayers: Romans 15:30 NKJV 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
• That we are to be Sanctified (Set apart) and that God is going to finish what He has started: 1 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• That we are to comfort others as we have been comforted: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
• That we are to be cheerful givers: 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 NKJV 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
• That we are to submit ourselves to the LORD and to the leadership in our church: 2 Corinthians 8:5 NKJV 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
• That we are “Children of God” by God’s will: Ephesians 1:5 NKJV 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
• That it is God’s will to show us His plans for the future: Ephesians 1:9-10 NKJV 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him.
• That it pleases God when we submit to the authority over us: Ephesians 6:5-6 NKJV 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
• That we need to pray for others with fervency: Colossians 1:9-12 NKJV 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
• That we may stand perfect and complete in the sight of God: Colossians 4:12 NKJV 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
• That we are not to defraud or take advantage of anyone: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 NKJV 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
• That we are to be Holy as God is Holy: 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
• That we help people and be Thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 NKJV 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
• That we are called according to God’s purpose: 2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
• That we need to endure until the end: Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
• That we are to do good: 1 Peter 2:15 NKJV 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—
• That we will suffer for doing good: 1 Peter 3:17 NKJV 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
• That we have the same mind as Christ: 1 Peter 4:1-2 NKJV 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
• That we glorify God in our suffering: 1 Peter 4:14 NKJV 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
• That we commit ourselves to our Creator: 1 Peter 4:19 NKJV 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
• That we do not love the things of this world: 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 
• I believe it is very interesting how the LORD shows us His will throughout this entire study and at the very end, He tells us not to love the things of this world. Almost like it is an after thought, like do not forget, “don’t love the things of this world”. His entire focus of this study was to show us what His will for our lives is and the things that we are supposed to do. Not a big list of don’ts. I hope the bullet points made it a little easier to see. Have a blessed day and may God continue to show you His will for your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!