living out kingdom dynamics
“Not my will but yours..”
Luke 22:42
The Lord has made the provision for us to stay within the boundary of His will, in our daily lives.
How are we to know the boundary lines of God?
In Adam’s case, the boundary was clearly marked out. Eve and Adam knew exactly what it meant to remain within the boundary of God’s will and what will cause the violation of God’s will.
How is it for us? Can we be sure of the boundary of God’s will for us and what will cause a breach of God’s will? This is a repeated question in the minds of people. How are we to know the boundary line of God’s will in varying circumstances of life?
God’s word is God’s will
Unless we are internalizing the scriptures, we will be confused about the boundary line of God’s will. Lack of understanding of God’s will, in a particular situation, is no excuse for causing an infringement.
If I do not read the sign at the head of a street, saying ‘one-way traffic only’ and I drive up the street in the wrong direction, will the traffic constable excuse me because I did not notice the sign at the head of the street?
In the same way, lack of knowledge of the scripture is no excuse for not knowing and staying within the boundary line of God’s will.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17
The scripture defines for us and explains to us the boundary of His will.
We cannot give a superficial reading to the scriptures and expect that we will have the right understanding of God’s will. There has to be a willingness to look deeply. Delving deeply into the scriptures is a journey in which all of us must travel, to have clarity of God’s will for us.
The Holy Scriptures are therefore the source that we have in our hands of God’s will. It is the Holy Spirit who brings the scriptures into our understanding, application and enablement.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26, 16:13)
We are firstfruits of God’s creatures. We are those who bring out the word of truth from out of our lives. We are a manifestation of God’s word, which is His will for us. The word of God becomes flesh in us.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
People around us are able to understand the will of God because the will of God is manifested in us, His church. The church is therefore the fullness of Christ.
Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
The boundary line of God’s will is revealed to us, step by step, in life. God is light and He sheds light for each step of our way. We need not be anxious about tomorrow as to how we will handle a particular crisis. The Lord will guide us moment by moment.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
The word gives us light to our path, in the sense that the Lord reveals sufficiently so that we know the direction in which we need to go. The word is also a lamp to our feet, which is a guide for the step or decision that we need to take at that moment.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7
When we walk in the light of Jesus, we are kept in His righteousness.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
The way of the world is aggressive and will seek to confuse us from knowing and living within the boundary of God’s will. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us not to be confounded by the ways of the world but discern the ways of God according to His word. We are thus able to prove the will of God in our lives.
We are conscious and vigilant that our adversary will try to make us cross the boundary of God’s will. This is the challenge for us in the body of Christ and therefore we pray for each other to be within the boundary of His will.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. I Peter 5:8-9
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:18
—By Valentine Davidar
