|
[ Back ]
28 Apr 98
God’s Guidance (Adapted from Knowing God by J.I. Packer)
Objective: To learn how God guides Christians
Introduction
- Do you ever wonder how God guides His people? Do you ever feel anxious about major
decisions that will greatly affect your life? Do you ever get to points in your life where
you simply doubt that God even guides you?
- Disclaimer: I don’t know a lot about this topic. I’m learning just as you are
learning.
Part 1: Does God guide his children?
- Does God actually have a plan for our lives?
Yes. He works out everything in conformity to His will in Christ.
(Eph 1:9-12) And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good
pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have
reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one
head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the
plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order
that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
God instructs, teaches, watches over us, and constantly guides us.
(Ps 32:8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel
you and watch over you.
(Isa 58:11) The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring
whose waters never fail.
- What kind of people does God guide?
God instructs and guides sinners, those who are humble, and those who fear the Lord.
(Ps 25:8-9, 12) Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Who, then, is the man that
fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
- What promises do we have that guarantee God’s guidance?
1) We are God’s sons. If human parents have a God-given responsibility to guide their
children, we should not doubt that our perfect Father guides us.
(Mt 7:11) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
2) His Own Purposes. If God is glorified through our obeying Him, then it follows that He
would guide and teach us how to obey Him. His own purposes for glory include us!
(Ps 23:3) He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's
sake.
Part 2: How does God guide His children?
- What is the basic mistake Christians make about guidance?
They assume that all guidance is like vocational guidance. Vocational guidance has
two distinctive features:
1) There is no direct Scripture reference for the decision, and
2) Therefore, I should follow the "inner promptings" of the Spirit.
What is the root of this mistake?
We put undue emphasis on seeking direction for "vocational guidance." In other
words, emphasizing "What should I do?" rather than "What should I be?"
- How does God guide His people?
Through the truth of His Word, understood and applied through the Holy Spirit.
"Our rational Creator guides His rational creatures … by [the] rational
understanding and application of His written Word" [Packer, Knowing God, pg.
236].
1) The Bible. The Bible is profitable for teaching and training us in righteousness, for
the purpose of God’s plan in our lives.
(2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
He guides us in paths of righteousness through the Word.
(Ps 23:3) He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's
sake.
(Ps 119:101-105) I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your
word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are
your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your
precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path.
2) The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our instructor who teaches us everything we need to
know.
(Jn 14:26) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
(1 Jn 2:20, 27) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the
truth. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need
anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that
anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.
(Ps 143:10) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me
on level ground.
Credits
Most of this material has been adapted from J.I. Packer’s Knowing God,
InterVarsity Press, Downer’s Grove, IL, 1973, ISBN 0-8308-1651-8, Chapter 20.
[ Back ]
|
