The Baptist Beacon

GOD'S WAY, WORD, & WILL

The way of God is simple and singular. Jesus is God's way. There are not two or twenty different ways of truth, there is only one true way. Jesus made this very clear when He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life:" Today some Baptists have developed their own doctrinal statement that goes something like this: "You go your way and I'll go mine." The problem with this is that one way is right and the other way is wrong. If our way does not correspond with the sacrificial way, which includes the teachings and example of Jesus, then we are not doing things God's way. There has always been a way that seemeth right unto man, but seeming right and being right are two very different things. The Bible proverb is: "Every man is right in his own eyes." This can be applied to the saved and the unsaved.

God has given us guiding forces that keep our hearts in His way. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are sources given to help us find and stay in God's will. They are separate in nature but one in purpose. The Bible and the Holy Spirit never disagree. They are always harmonious and move in the same direction. The Word of God is superior in leadership and is the primary source of God's revelation to man. The Word of God comes first because it is the set standard given by the Holy Ghost to direct us toward God's will. In Ephesians 1:13 the Word of Truth comes to a sinner before the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Also, this passage reveals that before the Holy Spirit puts His seal upon the soul, the sinner exercises a surrendering faith to God and His will. This is the due process or a Divine chain of command that must be followed. The highest goal of a Christian is to have special leadership and direction from God. To know the specific will of God for our life is a scriptural zenith that we strive for.

When the local Church has a specific need like a pastor, or Sunday School teacher, or helper for a revival etc. , the Holy Spirit is sent to lead and guide in these decisions. You can know the specific will of God IF you DO the " breathed" Word of God.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul wrote that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." This word "inspiration" is derived from two Greek words "Theos" meaning God and "pneo" meaning breathed. The Holy Scripture is God Breathed and given by the direct, special, supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians want to know God's special revelation of will and earnestly seek leadership of the Spirit for their lives, and become frustrated when God is silent to them. Think about it. Why should God reveal his perfect will to us if we won't DO His written will? Some are seeking the highest Christian experience without having a crucified life and this is just not possible. The highest elevation of hypocrisy is an acclaimed "Christian" living immorally and claiming to enjoy some great spiritual blessing. This is frustrating and aggravating to the true way.

It is a paradox for a Christians to seek a Macedonia call, seek to be caught up in the third heaven, or seek the specific will of God for their life, and not be doing what the Bible teaches. If you want a Macedonia calling, be active in witnessing as Jesus commanded us to do in taking the gospel to the whole world. Paul was! If you want a close spiritual walk with God, crucify the flesh daily. If you want to know the specific will of God for your life, then present your body as a living sacrifice. If you believe the Bible teaches tithing, or church discipline, or meditation, or daily prayer, or family devotion, or assembling together, or the demonstration of love one toward another, or bridling the tongue, or praying for our governmental leaders, or supporting mission work, etc., then do it. Knowing what God expects of us and not doing it is sin. Abiding in sin is out of the will of God. He will not even hear us if we regard inequity in our hearts.

If we will surrender our will to God's way, if we will keep His commandments and try to do what His word teaches, God will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that we cannot contain. The highest plane of Spirituality comes automatically when you keep His commandments.