So you must be very careful how you live, not thoughtlessly, but thoughtfully, and continue to make the most of your opportunities, for the times are evil. So stop becoming senseless, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
Ephesians 5:15–17 Williams Translation
Faith flourishes where the will of God is sought, understood, and obeyed. James warns that the man who doubts is of two minds, unreliable in every step he takes, and must not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7–8, Williams Translation).
Ellicott's Commentary notes on Ephesians 5:17 that "the word here, 'thoughtlessly', is stronger than in Ephesians 5:15; it is properly 'senseless,' used of 'the fool' (Luke 11:40; 12:20; 1 Corinthians 15:36; 2 Corinthians 11:16, 19; 12:6, 11). By it St. Paul emphasizes his previous warning; then he adds the explanation that to be 'wise' is to 'understand what the will of the Lord is'—to know His purpose towards us and towards the world, and so to know the true purpose of our life. Hence we are told in Job 28:28 that 'the fear of the Lord is wisdom,' or, more precisely, in Proverbs 9:10, that it is 'the beginning of wisdom.’"
Again, James reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach (James 1:5). We are to discern what is pleasing to the Lord as we walk as children of light. We present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice and are transformed by the renewing of our minds according to His Word. Through this process, we become able to discern the will of God—that which is good, acceptable, and perfect for our lives (Romans 12:1–2).
Ellicott's Commentary further notes:
"The 'will of God' is here , not the divine attribute of will, but the thing willed by God, the right course of action. Are we to take the adjectives 'good, and acceptable, and perfect'... as in agreement with this phrase, or are they rather in apposition to it, 'that we may prove the will of God, that which is good, and acceptable, and perfect'? Most commentators prefer this latter way of taking the passage, but it is not quite clear that the former is impossible—'that good, and acceptable, and perfect thing, or course of action which God wills.' 'Acceptable,' that is to say, to God Himself."
Jesus, our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us, now lives to pray that we may be perfect and complete in all the will of God. Our Father, who created us and foreordained all our good works, continually works in union with His Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all the good He has ordained.
We are not looking for the grand moments of life, but for the simple next step required to live in a manner pleasing to the Lord. The journey may not always look the way we expect and the process may be difficult and confusing, but He never grows weary or abandons the work He has begun until it is finished.
Our responsibility is to live continually seeking Him and His will. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" becomes the posture of our hearts. In that posture, we rest, knowing that as our lives are humbly submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord, our steps are ordered and established by our Father.
And we can begin right here:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification..."
1 Thessalonians 4:3
"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice..."
Romans 12:1
The will of God is not merely something to discover, but a life to be lived—one surrendered step at a time.I