QUESTION: I want to make sure that I am in line with the will of God. Do you have any suggestions to help?

 The first step in making sure that you are in the will of God is to make sure that you are a Christian. Without this foundation, nothing else in the realm of God’s will is possible.

 “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

 It is God’s will for all men to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9). So, if you have never accepted Him as your personal Savior, we would urge you, first and foremost, to put your sins under His blood. This will not only enable you to live for Him here, but also to live with Him for eternity.

 Having received Christ, your next priority is to be a consecrated Christian. That means, you must yield to His will in thought, word, and deed.

 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:1-2.

 Consecration means to “step off the curb and join the parade.” It is to be an effective soldier in the army of Christ, which is so essential to winning the lost and to being a light to a world that is covered in darkness. Further, it is a deterrent to falling into activities that would hinder our witness to others. When others present Godless propositions or frivolous activities to you, you will be able to say, like Nehemiah:

 “…I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3.

 Another essential quality to knowing the will of God is to know the Word of God. There are countless instructions in the Bible which, if followed, will produce marvelous results in our lives. The Psalmist said:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalm 119:105.

Make the Bible the source of direction in your life. Make it the standard by which you live. When the Word becomes paramount, your life will reflect and then fulfill the beautiful possibilities that God has for you.

 Next, you must learn to invest much time in prayer. Prayer is communication with God. It is essential for obtaining the wisdom vital to live in this troubled world, as Solomon discovered (1 Kings 3:5-14). Prayer is necessary to keep our accounts short with God and obtain forgiveness when we sin, as David expressed (Psalm 51). It is the way to gain God’s grace and favor for those matters that burden your heart. And it is the way to thank Him for the blessings He has already bestowed on us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

 “…The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” James 5:16.

 Of course, there is much more that could be said about the will of God. But these first steps will provide the framework for establishing an awareness of God’s will. Be sure that, as a Christian, you belong to Him; be committed to Him; and develop two-way communication with Him through Bible study and prayer. As you continue in your Christian walk, you will find that over time, God’s ways will become your ways, His thoughts will become your thoughts, and you will develop an increasing conformity to His will.