Lesson 6
DECISION – MAKING WITHIN THE WILL
OF GOD
h. Our perspective on life will largely
determine the degree to which we pursue godly goals with righteous attitudes
and wise actions, since no decision is made in a vacuum.
(1) The Christian with a world view
(perspective) shaped by Scripture will have a much different sense of
self-identity.
(2) This believer will face life with a deep
sense of security knowing that he is loved by God with a love which he did
nothing to earn (and which, therefore, he can do nothing to forfeit - Rom
8:31-39).
(3) This believer has a clear grasp of his
personal worth because he is aware that God has specifically equipped him to
participate meaningfully in the outworking of the eternal purposes of God. Eph 2:10; 1 Pet 4:10-11
(4) Both of these (a strong sense of security and significance in Christ) free the Christian
from self promoting motivations in decision making, and release him to focus
more on the needs of others. Phil
2:1-5
(5) The believer is also reminded that he is on
assignment for God in enemy territory. Eph
(6) That physical life on earth is preparatory
for life in Phase 3, and hence, what one invests for God now will be repaid
with interest latter. Mt
(7) And
he will recognize that the unseen forces and resources of heaven are involved
in his behalf as he seeks to carry out God's will on earth. Heb 1:14; 11:1; 2 Kg 6:15-17
(8) It is
God's moral will that we resist having our viewpoint molded by the world. Rom
12:2
(9) Instead, we are to walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7)
seeing our lives, and therefore our decisions, through the 'glasses' of God's
Word.
4. Since the moral will of God contains His
complete revelation for faith and life, expresses God's own character, and
touches every aspect and moment of life, it is fully able to equip believers for every good work. (2 Tim
3:16-17) Hence, our response should be
obvious:
a. We need to learn what God has said. Josh 1:8
b. We need to do what God has said. John 13:17; Dt
10:12-13; 1 John 2:6
5. As one
observes the decision making practices of people, one is forced to the sobering
conclusion that the greatest impediments to making good decisions are ignorance
of God's Word and stubborn resistance to God's will. Prov 16:25; Acts 7:51
4. THE PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM:
a. The first thing that is obvious is that God's
moral will does not specifically address every decision we must make.
1. There are many decisions that are not
prescribed.
b. The Principle of Freedom is: In those areas where the Bible gives no
command or principle (non-moral decisions), the believer is free and
responsible to choose his course of action. Any decision made within
the moral will of God is always acceptable to God.
c. This principle asserts three things:
1. There
are some decisions which have multiple options, any number of which may be
acceptable to God;
2. The
final decision made must not be in violation of God's moral will in purpose,
attitude, or execution.
3. Therefore,
God will not dictate to the believer what he must do --- the individual is free
to make the decision.
d. The Principle of Freedom of choice within
revealed limits was clearly part of the Creator's design from the very
beginning as seen in God's first specific commandment to man. Gen 2:16-17
1. The
Lord's statement in these verses clearly established the Lord's moral will with
regard to the food available in the garden.
2. But
within the scope of what was His moral will, He did not tell Adam and Eve what
to eat and how to eat it, but left that up to their ability to decide.
3. The
only way they could have missed God's will in these decisions would be to have
eaten some fruit from the forbidden tree.
e. Principle of freedom and the nature of sin.
1. Sin
defined as the violation of the expressed commands of God,
that is the MWOG. 1 John 3:4; Rom 4:15
2. Sin
then would include the wrong purpose or attitude as well as the wrong action!
3. If a
particular decision is to be made one,
that is one not addressed by God’s commands (MWOG) and one’s goals and
attitudes are correct then one cannot sin regarding the decision itself.
e.
Freedom within the moral will of God suggests a diagram:
FREEDOM AND GOD'S MORAL WILL
1.
Whatever is commanded by God lies within the circle;
2. Whatever is forbidden by God is outside
that perimeter;
3.
Within the larger circle of God's moral will is a
smaller circle showing the area of freedom.