Knowing and Doing the Will of God - Part 5

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).

Other instructions involve the inward spiritual life. Believers are to abide in Christ (John 15:4-5), present their bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), and renew their minds through Scripture so that they are transformed and not conformed to this world (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23). We are to set our minds on things above (Col 3:1-2), and put on the new self—marked by compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, and love (Col 3:10-14). Paul urges believers to live without grumbling or disputing, so that we shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:14-15). We are also to restore sinning believers in gentleness (Gal 6:1), bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2), and practice hospitality without complaint (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9). The Christian life is marked by moral purity—fleeing sexual immorality, glorifying God with our bodies (1 Cor 6:18-20; 1 Th 4:3-5), and remaining spiritually vigilant and prayerful (1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:10-18).

Some directives are role-specific. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives are to submit to their husbands’ loving spiritual leadership and show them respect (Eph 5:22, 25, 33; 1 Pet 3:1-2). Children are to obey and honor their parents (Eph 6:1-4). Employees are to serve their supervisors with sincerity (Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:23-24), and supervisors are to treat their workers with fairness and integrity (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1; Jam 5:4). Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be pure and sensible (Tit 2:3-5), while older men are to be dignified, temperate, and sound in faith (Tit 2:2). Younger men are to be self-controlled, an example of good deeds, and sound in doctrine (Tit 2:6-8). Church members are instructed to support their pastors materially and respectfully (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18), and to use their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Pet 4:10). We are to sing with thankfulness (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), care for orphans and widows (Jam 1:27; 1 Tim 5:3-16), pray for all people—including leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2), and carry out church discipline when needed, with love and humility (1 Cor 5:1-13). Finally, Paul urges believers to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with a pure heart (2 Tim 2:22).