Title: Guided by the peace of God.

Text: Col. 3: 12-17

Key v. 15

Today we want to briefly talk about finding God’s will in our lives. We know we have God’s specific will in His written Wordwhen it comes to Christian doctrines, moral behavior, Salvation, etc. But, how do we find God’s will when it comes to making decisions: buying a specific house, moving, marrying someone, doing a specific ministry- like being a Pastor, a missionary, or a Bible teacher?

[It is God’s desire to guide your life and reveal His will to you!]

Ps 143:10- 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. KJV

Ps 25:4-5- 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. KJV

Question: How can a Christian know when he is doing God's will? One answer is: the peace of Christ in the heart and in the church. When the believer loses his inner peace, he knows that he has in some way disobeyed God.

The word translated "rule" is an athletic term. It means "to preside at the games and distribute the prizes." Paul used a variation of this word in his Letter to the Colossians: "Let no one declare you unworthy of a prize" (literal translation, Col 2:18). In the Greek games, there were judges (we would call them umpires) who rejected the contestants who were not qualified, and who disqualified those who broke the rules.

The peace of God is the "Umpire" in our believing hearts and our churches. When we obey the will of God, we have His peace within; but when we step out of His will (even unintentionally), we lose His peace. [BE Comment.]

Testimony: Moving to Virginia

Keys to keep in mind:

  1. First, you must obey the moral will of God as it is revealed in Scripture. If Scripture prohibits the action in question, your decision is easy: don't do it.

Likewise, if one of the options in your choice causes you to neglect something God specifically commands you to do, you are required to make the choice that will allow you to fulfill your biblical obligation. For example, if God requires you to be an active part of a local church -- Hebrews 10:25 indicates that He does -- any decision that prohibits you from that is against God's revealed will. In order to uphold God's moral will in your decision making, ask yourself, "What does God's Word say about it?" If it says anything, obey that (1 John 5:3). If it says nothing, you have freedom and do not need to fear missing God's will or sinning against Him (Romans 14:2-6, 22).

  1. Good decision-making requires that you exercise biblical wisdom. Such wisdom comes from a diligent study of God's Word, coupled with God's generous provision. James encourages those who lack wisdom to "ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). To make wise decisions, you need to gather necessary information, consider all the options carefully, seek godly counsel, and then choose the option that is most sensible (Proverbs 2:1-11).
  2. You need to consider your own desire. If the Bible is silent about your decision, and if one choice is not clearly wiser than the other, then do what you want. You have the freedom to do so, and God sovereignly works out His plan through your desires (Psalm 37:4; Philippians 2:13).

Important: The above process presupposes that you are submitted to Christ and filled with the Spirit (resulting in the peace of God). Otherwise you won't be able to make biblical decisions, as sin blinds your ability to understand and apply God's

Warning: We must beware, however, of a false peace in the heart. Jonah deliberately disobeyed God, yet he was able to go to sleep in the hold of a ship in a storm! "I had peace about it!" is not sufficient evidence that we are in the will of God. We must pray, surrender to His will, and seek His guidance in the Scriptures. The peace of heart alone is not always the peace of God.

Something else is involved: if we have peace in our hearts, we will be at peace with others in the church. We are called to one body, and our relationship in that body must be one of harmony and peace. If we are out of the will of God, we are certain to, bring discord and disharmony to the church. Jonah thought he was at peace, when actually his sins created a storm!

When a Christian loses the peace of God, he begins to go off in directions that are out of the will of God. He turns to the things of the world and the flesh to compensate for his lack of peace within. He tries to escape, but he cannot escape himself! It is only when he confesses his sin, claims God's forgiveness, and does God's will that he experiences God's peace within.

When there is peace in the heart, there will be praise on the lips: "And be ye thankful" (Col 3:15). The Christian out of God's will is never found giving sincere praise to God. When David covered up his sins, he lost his peace and his praise (Ps 32; 51). When he confessed his sins, then his song returned.

[BE Comment.]

Word to your life. However, if you do have a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and are walking in the Spirit -- as opposed to the flesh -- you are free to make decisions so long as they don't violate God's revealed (moral) will. You shouldn't be concerned that your decisions will somehow derail God's sovereign will for your life, because He routinely works through your decisions to accomplish what He purposes. [ GTY.org – J.M.]

Col 3:15 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. KJV