GOD' GENERAL WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

This is based on Ray Hall's (Pastor at Cross Timbers Church) Sermon of 28 Dec 02. I have taken the notes I made from his sermon and augmented them with various passages from the Bible and additional notes. The headers are his some of the text and passages are mine.

There is a unique and specific will that God has for each individuals life.  This merges with the general will God has for all of His childrens lives.  God's general will for our lives is to: 

Experience a real & living personal relationship with Jesus

Rely on God's power by learning what it is to walk in His spirit on a daily basis

The Holy Spirit OurGuide - We find that God has given us (Saints/Christians) His Holy Spirit. And that the Spirit can give us life and a life of peace.[ 1 Th 4:8, 1 John 3:24.] " the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:32 NIV) " but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; (Rom 8:6 NIV) If we then have the Holy Spirit what are we to do? The New Testament tells us we are to use the Holy Spirit as our guide; to allow Him to control and direct us and to follow His leading.

In the New Testament we find the following phrases that instruct us how to walk in the Spirit:

If we are to use the Holy Spirit as our guide we have to come to know him. We have to take time to listen to him. And we have to submit our wills, plans and agenda's to Him. We have to practice responding to Him

Do right by living a life of integrity

In living a life of integrity a Christian displays to the world that he/she honors Christ and all of His teachings and that we live for Him. "  and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.(2 Cor 5:15 NKJV) 

The Bible gives us many instructions as to what a life of integrity is:

Some times we can learn from the negative. In Romans below we see the acts of a wicked person, one with out integrity. It would seam logical then to live a life of integrity that one would not do those things listed below. 

" And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting" being filled with all :

Those who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things, above, are deserving of death, but not only thoes who do the same but also thoes who approve of those who practice them. (Rom 1:28-32) [italiacs mine]

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Suffer for being right

 Christ suffered, Paul suffered and many of the early Christians suffered. We are told that we will suffer. If we live a Godly life it will not conform to this world and will be rejected by the world. But we are also promised that if we are faithful we will be given the crown of life and be blessed. We are even given instructions as to how we should suffer. We are told: The bible tells us that this suffering will strengthen us. " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)

Learn to say thank you to God in all situations

The Bible in many places commands us to: Although sometimes we do not feel like it we have much to be thankful for. There are the basic blessings that we should rember: The Bible telles us  there are consequences to not giving thanks to God. - " because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Rom 1:21)

Be sanctified and holy

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. (Rom 6:19)

For this is the will of God your sanctification:

as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1 Th 4:3-7)  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor 7:1) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (Heb 12:14)  so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Th 3:13)

Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. (1 Th 4:8)

Stay pure in your thoughts and relationships (Sanctification) As we are made in God's image we are called to be like him. We are called to be holy.  "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Pet 1:15-16)
 
The Bible teaches that we are sanctified by:

" Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; (1 Tim 6:20) "

Finally, brethren:, If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things. (Phil 4:8) As we become sanctified and crucify our fleshly (human) nature we will display the fruit of the spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is:
Against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23) We should keep ourselves pure because it is our calling. There is a consequence if we do not and there is a reward if we do: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Heb 10:26) " , if you have your fruit of  holiness, the end, is everlasting life. (Rom 6: 22)