AS WE CONTEMPLATE doing God’s will, certainly as individuals, but especially in the context of a church body, it is important to know what his will is. We must have a clear view of God’s vision, not our own, before we plunge into activities. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2) Think in terms of juxtaposing the thought of ‘doing God’s work’ against ‘doing works for God.’
The first approach, ‘doing God’s work,’ contains the clear implication that God has a sovereign plan and purpose, both for the individual and for the Body of Christ in the church (cf. Eph. 2:10). His revelation of that plan, his will for activity, is revealed through his word, the counsel of his people, convergent circumstances, and individual and corporate Spirit-led prayer leading to revelation. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord.” (Psa. 130:5-6)
The second path, ‘doing works for God,’ is laden with negative implications: God-loving people apply fervent human intelligence and will to set a mission for the church in motion, and then pray to God for his blessing on those endeavors. “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” (Prov. 18:13)
In the second instance, the activities drive the purpose of the people in their service to God. In the first, God leads his people into his purpose as they recognize that their call to him is far more important than their activities for Him. It is a not-so-simple matter of separating ‘doing’ and ‘being’ from God’s perspective. He is not interested first in our activities, but our character. He uses activities in our daily lives and trials to build our character. Our doing is initiated from the overflow of our being. The reason it is difficult for us to act in this way is that it requires us to re-evaluate and change a lifetime of training and experience in a culture that teaches us that we are valued most by what we produce.
More often than not, we tend to want to get something going; this has been experientially and culturally wired into the DNA of our wills. Individually or collectively, once we have enough of an idea to see a vague outline of the big picture, we’re ready to act. But scripture warns, “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!” (Prov. 19:2)
To our dismay, we find mid-way through a process that the picture isn’t quite developing the way we thought it would. All too often, the activities that get us mid-way into the process have damaged, diminished, or defeated the initial goal. But we’ve invested so much time, energy, and resources into it that we won’t give up to start over. We instead press on in a dead work and produce lifeless results.
It is critical, crucial in fact, that the leadership in the body be spiritual leadership first and foremost. “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.” (Heb. 6:1) This is not limited to the five-fold ministry (cf. Eph. 4:11-12), but especially includes the wisdom of all the mature saints. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12) Such leadership must gently and intentionally make the informed effort to effectively disciple the whole local church Body of Christ to grow spiritually, and to grow together spiritually.
This is not easily accomplished, but takes time and consistency and perseverance. However, to not place this as the very first priority is to set the course of the mission of the church on less than the highest goal. That goal is to be Christ-centered and Holy Spirit led, and by this to glorify God. Inevitably, failing in this will lead to a church that concentrates on activities instead of people, that evangelizes by methods instead of building relationships, and that focuses on felt needs instead of inspiring the need to follow Christ. A church that is not growing spiritually will concentrate on trying to grow in numbers, and will ultimately fail in that also.
The saying “patience is a virtue” has much merit in all facets of life. If it isn’t an emergency, and few things really are, then time can be made into a valuable ally. Time waiting can be an asset, not an enemy. More often than not, it is good to wait on the Lord. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psa. 46:10) Waiting is not passive, but active and watchful: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Hab. 2:3)
It is then, when the revelation comes, that it is time to act. Until then, keep doing what the Lord has previously told you to do. Persevere in your known mission.
Q. What is the source of my will to ‘do?’
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