The Spiritual Life #47 - Knowing and Doing the Will of God

When reading through the New Testament, we see that God provides both general and specific directives to Christians. General directives include learning and applying God’s Word (Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2; Jam 1:22), loving others as Christ has loved us (John 13:34), being filled with and walking by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16), submitting to governing authorities and paying taxes (Rom 13:1, 6), stimulating one another to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24), and not forsaking our assembling together (Heb 10:25). Believers are also called to live by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6), seek godly wisdom (Jam 1:5), pursue peace with others (Rom 12:18), forgive one another (Col 3:13), speak graciously (Col 4:6), and show kindness (Eph 4:32; cf. Prov 3:3-4). Additional directives include edifying others (Rom 14:19; 1 Th 5:11), serving in love (Gal 5:13), doing good to all (Gal 6:10), seeking the best interests of others (Phil 2:3-4), rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in everything (1 Th 5:16-18), and doing all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.