What Is God's Will for My Life?

By Seminarian Doug Bauman

There are two important distinctions to consider when addressing this question. First, God knows everything (omniscience); however, it does not follow that God wills everything. For example, God knows when a person sins, but He did not will that person to sin. Secondly, we cannot know the entire will of God. We must confess with Paul, "Who has known the mind of the Lord?" (Rom. 11:34). To discern God's hidden will is impossible. Therefore, we direct our attention to God's revealed will, His Word, to determine His will for our lives.

Simply put, God's will for our lives is that we believe in Jesus Christ and live godly lives according to His commands. Jesus says, "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40; cf. Deut. 4:2; I Tim. 2:4; I Thess. 4:3). Luther says in the Small Catechism that God's good and gracious will is done when "He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature . . . and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die" (Lord's Prayer, Third Petition). Thus, where God does not reveal His will, the Christian is given freedom. This freedom includes the simplest decisions (What clothes should I wear today?) to very important decisions (Whom should I marry?).

Although we are given freedom in regard to the person we marry, the school we attend, or the degree we pursue, it is important to remember that God has also given us a sanctified mind and reason and has also given us a family as well as our baptismal family, the Church. As the Christian considers important decisions (college, vocation, marriage), it is wise to consult other Christians and seek their input. Ultimately, the decisions in these matters rest with the individual believer, and the believer can be certain that a decision made in accord with God's Word has God's blessing

Doug Bauman is a fourth-year student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.