How to Know God's Will: Christ Has Already Called You

Hearing God's Call

Have you ever wondered if God is calling you to do something? Many Christians spend years waiting for God to reveal His will, hoping for a sign, an unmistakable feeling, or even an audible voice. But what if Christ has already given every believer the calling they have been waiting for? The question is no longer whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are willing to obey.

When we are the obedient, submissive, Spirit-filled children He calls us to be, He won't have to audibly speak to us as He did in the Old Testament to people like Isaiah. He won't need to ask who is willing to do His will. His people will already be willing to obey Him. 

What does God expect?  We know that our purpose on this earth is to love Him and others first and foremost. God has revealed His will for us through His Word. In ancient times, though, it was different.

Does God Still Call People Today?

In Isaiah we read the prophet's famous words to God, "Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). This came after seeing an awe inspiring vision of the holiness of God and hearing the question from Him, "Whom shall I send?" We remember hearing the story of Samuel as a young boy responding to God's audible call in the night (1 Samuel 3:4-10). We have read about Abram (Abraham) being called by God and his answer, "Here I am" (Genesis 22:1). Moses gives the same response when he hears God calling from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). But what about today? Why don't we hear His voice like the saints of old? Is He calling us to do something?

How God Speaks to Believers Today

Yes, Jesus calls us today. We don't need to hear His audible voice because the Holy Spirit lives in us as His followers. The Spirit we are promised will show us what is true (John 16:13). The Spirit will give us power to go into the world and tell the world about Jesus (Acts 1:8). The Spirit gives us not just power but also love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Without the Spirit living in us we would not be able to do God's will.

God's Will Has Already Been Revealed

And what is that will? First God's will is that we repent, trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, and love God and others. His will is for us to pursue holiness. We are to give thanks no matter what happens (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We should do good because God created us in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). And as Jesus told the disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21). God's will has been revealed to us.

God no longer waits for us to answer. If Christ has already commanded us to love, forgive, serve, and make disciples, what are we still waiting for? His expectation is that we will be obedient to the commands we have been given. We don't have to wonder about what kind of life God calls us to live.

In fact, in Ephesians 5:17 Paul tells us, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." In other translations, instead of "do not be unwise," they say not to be foolish, unthinking, or careless. I don't know about you but I never considered myself to be foolish just because I didn't know God's will. But I believe the issue is that in our minds we make God's will something secret and difficult to know, but it is not supposed to be.

When we are filled with God's Spirit and seeking to live as we have been told to, it won't be impossible to discern the will of God. Since God has already revealed His will, then the question is no longer whether He is calling us. The question becomes whether we are willing and equipped to obey that call.

God Guides Us Through His Word

In Psalm 119:105 we are reminded that God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path." If you are truly seeking His will, you will be guided by reading and studying His Word. He doesn't expect you to go through life foolishly stumbling along with no guidance. He has given you His Word so you can know what He asks of you.

The author of Hebrews prays that God will "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Have we prayed this prayer? Have we asked to be equipped with everything good?

Using Your Gifts to Do God's Will

If we have been given a skill or a talent, have we prayed that God would show us how He wants us to use it? I know so many people who have skills the Lord could use but they refuse. Perhaps they are afraid. Maybe they just can't see how God will use them to do His will. So often we limit God. We think our limitations are His, but that is so wrong.

Even those who clearly knew God's calling still depended on God's strength and the prayers of other believers. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks the church at Ephesus to pray for him. Specifically, he asks them to pray that he will be able to go boldly when He tells the world about God. He tells them he is an "ambassador in chains" and he knows that boldness will be required for him to accomplish God's will. Why? Because Paul knows that boldness will bring more chains and eventually death. He knows God's plan for him and he needs the prayers of other believers to help him accomplish it.

How often do we ask others to pray for us for strength and the ability to use our gifts and talents to accomplish God's will? As the body of Christ one of our responsibilities is to encourage each other. Life can be hard. Accomplishing what Christ wants us to do can be harder still without the prayers of our fellow believers.

How to Know God's Will: Obeying Your Call

The days of waiting for a personal call like Isaiah, Moses, or Samuel have given way to a greater calling that belongs to every believer. Now we live our lives as people who are slaves to righteousness, forgiving others as we have been forgiven, loving as we have been loved, and immersing ourselves in His Word so we will be rightly guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God doesn't just come upon us for a time as was the way in the Old Testament. Today He lives in us and through us when we are God's children. We grow in obedience and wisdom throughout our lives by listening with a keener ear to the Holy Spirit. He even intercedes for us in prayer when we don't know what to say.

With whom have you shared Jesus and His message of forgiveness and life? If the answer is no one, pray for that boldness that Paul himself asked for. Seek to do God's will by living an obedient life. Let's not wait for another call to come to us but obey the one we have already received.