Couples,

 

Do you look at the will of God as bitter medicine that you must take or gracious evidence of His love for you?

 

God's will is truly the gracious evidence of the love of God.  He is a God of wisdom and love who has a specific plan for each individual and couple.

 

James takes a look at three attitudes believers hold toward the will of God (James 4:13-17). 

It is foolish for us to ignore God's will.  Life is complex, uncertain, brief, and frail.  Only God has the wisdom and power to plan for life.  Also, we cannot afford to just "spend our lives' but must invest in things that are eternal.  Deciding to ignore His will for our lives is like going through a dark jungle without a map.

 

Some believers disobey God's will due to pride or maybe ignorance of the nature of God's will acting as if they can accept or reject it.  Obeying God's will is not an option but an obligation.  He is our Creator, His Son is our Lord and Savior, and we are His creatures, His children, and His servants who must obey Him.  Disobeying His will leads to chastisement from the Lord.  He chastises those He loves.  He wants us to get back on track.

 

Both of these attitudes toward the will of God lead to sorrow and ruin. 

 

But the third attitude, obeying God's will, leads to a holier and happier life.  "The will of God is a living relationship between God and the believer."  We should know His will, understand His will, prove it by experience, and do God's will from the heart.   "I delight to do Your will, O my God;  Your Law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8)

 

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