Most believers, at some time or another, have wondered what direction God would like them to go. Which school should I go to? Which career should I pursue? Who should I marry? It gets even more confusing when all of the choices we are confronted with are actually good choices. When neither alternative is sinful and both would be godly decisions, which one will ensure that we are in God’s will. “Most of us acknowledge that God has a plan for the life of every believer, but often there seems to be some trouble in finding just which way this plan goes at a particular juncture.” (pg. 5)
In the book, Found: God’s Will, John MacArthur believes that everything we need to know about the will of God can be found in the pages of Scripture. The responsibility we have, then, is to pore over its pages to find out what it is. Through this book, MacArthur provides a short summary of his research into God’s will and encourages the believer in using it to help make the big decisions in life.
Found: God’s Will is more of a booklet as it is seven short chapters covered in about 60 small pages, but it offers simple guidance into making decisions and assurance that you can understand God’s will. It begins by sympathizing with the believer because every Christian truly wants to follow what God says is best for them. Nobody wants to be left outside of the will of God, so we often become stagnant as we wait for a “word from God” or a “nudging from the Spirit” to guide us in the right direction.
As you read through the book, it becomes clear that the will of God has less to do about making right decisions and more to do with becoming the right person. “I’ll tell you what [God’s will] is. First, that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ.” (pg. 15) MacArthur develops the theme from the first step of actually being a Christian and then becoming more Christ-like.
Becoming more Christ-like starts with becoming a Christian and being Spirit-filled. A Spirit-filled believer is a Christian whose mind is saturated with God and His word. The more you fill your mind with the word of God, the more you grow in your faith and wisdom and your decisions become more godly. A consistent biblical lifestyle is then created in you as you pursue purity, control your flesh, act mercifully toward others, and develop a submissive, servant-like attitude. A Spirit-filled, Bible-saturated believer grows tremendously in faith that is willing and able to confront the world and withstand the resulting persecution. “Are you willing to suffer for Him who suffered for you? Are you willing to confront the world? That is the will of God.” (pg. 53)
Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” In Found: God’s Will, John MacArthur explains that God’s will isn’t about revealing the right decisions to you, but about who you are to become. This is done by studying Scripture passionately and obeying what He clearly commands. That is what it means to “delight yourself in the LORD.” Then, when you find your joy in Christ through His word you are already being led by God and you can choose the path you desire, trusting that He is the one who placed the desire in you. “The will of God is not, first of all, for you to go there or work here. The will of God concerns you as a person. If you are the right you, you can follow your desires and you will fulfill His will.” (pg. 60)
In the book, Found: God’s Will, John MacArthur believes that everything we need to know about the will of God can be found in the pages of Scripture. The responsibility we have, then, is to pore over its pages to find out what it is. Through this book, MacArthur provides a short summary of his research into God’s will and encourages the believer in using it to help make the big decisions in life.
Found: God’s Will is more of a booklet as it is seven short chapters covered in about 60 small pages, but it offers simple guidance into making decisions and assurance that you can understand God’s will. It begins by sympathizing with the believer because every Christian truly wants to follow what God says is best for them. Nobody wants to be left outside of the will of God, so we often become stagnant as we wait for a “word from God” or a “nudging from the Spirit” to guide us in the right direction.
As you read through the book, it becomes clear that the will of God has less to do about making right decisions and more to do with becoming the right person. “I’ll tell you what [God’s will] is. First, that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ.” (pg. 15) MacArthur develops the theme from the first step of actually being a Christian and then becoming more Christ-like.
Becoming more Christ-like starts with becoming a Christian and being Spirit-filled. A Spirit-filled believer is a Christian whose mind is saturated with God and His word. The more you fill your mind with the word of God, the more you grow in your faith and wisdom and your decisions become more godly. A consistent biblical lifestyle is then created in you as you pursue purity, control your flesh, act mercifully toward others, and develop a submissive, servant-like attitude. A Spirit-filled, Bible-saturated believer grows tremendously in faith that is willing and able to confront the world and withstand the resulting persecution. “Are you willing to suffer for Him who suffered for you? Are you willing to confront the world? That is the will of God.” (pg. 53)
Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” In Found: God’s Will, John MacArthur explains that God’s will isn’t about revealing the right decisions to you, but about who you are to become. This is done by studying Scripture passionately and obeying what He clearly commands. That is what it means to “delight yourself in the LORD.” Then, when you find your joy in Christ through His word you are already being led by God and you can choose the path you desire, trusting that He is the one who placed the desire in you. “The will of God is not, first of all, for you to go there or work here. The will of God concerns you as a person. If you are the right you, you can follow your desires and you will fulfill His will.” (pg. 60)
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