Obedience – The Key to Knowing God's Will

Have you ever wondered what God's will is for your life? Have you needed to make a difficult decision and wondered what God wanted you to do in that situation?

We all struggle with questions about our future. Questions like: How can I know God's plan for my life? Which job should I take? Is this the person God wants me to marry? Is this a good investment to make? Should I share the gospel with my boss? You probably have questions you could add to that list.

The greatest discovery I have ever made concerning how to know the will of God involves the following:

• Fully surrendering my life to the Lordship of Christ
• Living a life of obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit
• Maintaining my first love for our Lord

Many Christians are trying so hard to discover the will of God that they lose the joy of the Lord and leave their first love for Him.

But all we need to do is abide in Christ, maintain our first love for Him, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will be in the will of God. So as you continue to walk in the Spirit, He will guide you in making the most important decisions of life. He will also guide you in the daily, moment-by-moment decisions and actions of your life.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth...and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13). So the key to knowing God's will is to be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of truth. If you are willing to trust and obey God and live a holy life, God will reveal Himself to you and direct your steps as a way of life.

Satan is the enemy of our soul. His mission is to keep us from being effective and fruitful in our witness. But although he wields great power, Satan can never defeat us if we are completely yielded and obedient to Christ

Some people are reluctant to trust God completely with their lives, fearing that He may want to make a change in their plans. Yes, He will change our plans. His plans are infinitely better than the very best we could ever conceive.

Is it not logical that the One who created us knows better than we the purpose for which we were created? And since He loves us enough to die for us, is it not logical to believe that His way is best (Romans 8:32)?

Obedience is the true test of our love for Christ and the secret to discovering God's will for our life.

Disobedience of King Saul

Read I Samuel 15. What was God's command to Saul through Samuel?
 

Describe how Saul rationalized his actions. Was his repentance sincere?
 

The main principle illustrated is stated in verse 22. What is it?
What are some ways that Christians rationalize disobedience today?
 

Obedience of Paul

Read Acts 9:1-22. What was God's command to Paul (here called Saul)?
 

How did he comply? Why was Paul's obedience so important at this particular time?
 

How do you think Paul's obedience illustrates the truth of the principle in I Samuel 15:22?
 

Obedience of Anannias

Read Acts 9:10-22. What was God's command to Anannias?
 

What was Anannias' reaction? How did he finally respond?
 

Why was his obedience so essential at this time?
 

How does his obedience indirectly influence you?
 

Life Application

How would you have felt in Anannias' place?
 

What is the most important thing this lesson teaches you about obedience?
 

What specific area of weakness in your life do you need to bring into obedience to Christ? What steps will you take to become obedient in this area?

Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.