1 Thess 4.3: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…”
This verse reminds me that there’s really no need to seek God’s will elsewhere. So many people wonder what God’s will is for their lives. His will is that we be sanctified. Our interests lie in issues of life direction, field of study, career choice, where to live, etc. So we anxiously seek God’s will in these areas. We seem to be people interested in God’s will. But, many of these issues have to do with a focus on a strategic personal journey through life, or just outright worldly success. We know that to be “out of the will of God” may land us in trouble. We know that “to be in his will” is the best. But our focus on God’s will often centers on issues of strategic decisions, rather than on holiness. God is interested in our sanctification. He is probably less interested in the particular pathways we meander through life, taking a wrong turn here and there, as he is in preparing us for heaven. We can work toward holy living even if we did not optimize our talents, or even when we’ve made some wrong choices at important junctures of life. The wisdom to make the right, strategic decisions for life is precious. But we do well to remember that God already stated what he wants for us to do: His will is that we be sanctified.
This is an encouraging perspective…instead of being all worried and anxious about my life circumstances, much of which I cannot control, I can focus wholly on obedience and living a holy life, and know that I am fulfilling the will of God…and like Jesus says in Mt. 6:33, the rest will fall into place.
I agree.
It is so true – God’s will is so simple and clear…
I learned the same lesson this week through 1 Thess. 4. Thank you for reminding me that God’s ultimate will for my life is to be sanctified, to be made holy, to become more like Him.
This is so true. So many people seek God’s will yet miss the most essential point that God explicitly states in the Scripture.
thank you for your insight on this verse. i, too, often fall into this mentality of trying to figure out “God’s will for my life” but often for my own personal interest. i need to focus solely on being sanctified and living a holy life, and let everything else fall into place.
thanks! trying to figure out God’s will is one of the most difficult things to do, b/c doors open and close all of the time and I think many of us are often left wondering – so, should I have gone in or not? Did I just make a mistake or was I not supposed to go? This view on God’s will really provides that right perspective that God’s will is for me to ultimately be sanctified, regardless of situation or circumstance!