5/3/13- Seeing God's Will

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1,2 ESV)

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; (Colossians 1:9) 

¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Thoughts: Is it possible to understand God's will?  For some God is so high and transcendent that no one can really hear Him.  But the united biblical view is that God does reveal His specific will at times.  The limits on it are found in 1 Corinthians 13:12- we see the will of God dimly as in a distorted and unclean mirror.  Certainly scripture is clear on many things- but even then we distort it with our sin.  However Paul gives us a way to see God's will clearer.  If we give ourselves fully- even sacrificially to God, not giving into the world (which distorts our viewpoint), our minds will be made clearer.  We will be changed to the point that we can understand or discern or even "prove" God's will for us- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
   The truth is, if we have our hearts wrong- we can even distort scripture.  I see it all the time- the twisting and manipulating of scripture- as the devil did in asking Jesus to throw himself down in Mt. 4.  As someone said, "the devil can quote scripture too."  But what is important is loving God with our heart, mind, strength and soul so that we can see.  Jesus said it like this- "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."  We see God when our hearts are submitted to His heart and our will submitted to His will.  
    I remember once talking to a Christian friend of mine in college about dating a girl who was known for her promiscuity.  It was obvious that because the girl was attractive he wanted God to give him the green light.  He was looking for signs and picking scripture out of context in order to make him not feel guilty.  He would walk outside and see two birds flying together and say it was a sign from God.  He would quote the scripture "judge not lest ye be judged" as a way to blind himself from saying anything was wrong with his choice.  In the end he regretted his choice.  But I say this to point out that our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9).  But if our hearts are drawn by God so that we want our heart to be in tune with His- we listen to Him and are able to see clearer. 

Prayer: Three things I pray O Lord: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly day by day.