Ephesians 5:17-21
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
God’s will is not hidden!
In this passage, the apostle tells us to know and understand God’s will. He strengthens the directive by telling us that if we don’t understand the Lord’s will, we are foolish. He says this because God has revealed to us in scripture his will for our lives.
Here is what scripture teaches about God’s will for us:
- God’s first and primary will for every person is that they be saved and brought into the family and kingdom of God (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
- God’s will is also that we are Spirit-filled. As Paul writes in this passage in Ephesians, we are not to “get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph.5:18).
- God’s will is that we be sanctified. “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality,” Paul writes in 1 Thess.4:3. Sanctification means “to be set apart,” and it includes but is not limited by sexual behavior. In every area of our life God wants us to align our behavior with His character. This is equivalent to “walk worthy” (axios) that we studied in Ephesians 4.
- God’s will is that we show proper submission to the proper people. “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Pet. 2: 13-15).
- God’s will is that we should be willing to suffer. “If when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:20-22).
Finally, God’s will is that we are always saying thanks. “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess.5:18).
Scripture is quite clear about God’s will: Be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, willing to suffer, and saying thanks. There are, of course, many other things that scripture tells us to do (and not do). But these six things are the heart of God’s will for your life.
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” Proverbs 6.20-23”
