We live between Jesus’ first and second comings. Our lifetime is characterized by the conflict of the kingdoms—God’s and the world’s. God is sure to emerge victorious from this conflict, but our destiny is a matter of choice. When we pray, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we choose our destiny. We align ourselves with God’s kingdom. We choose to do his will.

But what precisely is God’s will for us?

Before I answer this question, I want to clear up a misconception. Some people think God’s will is hidden and difficult to discern. What should we do for a living? Where should we buy a house? Whom should we marry? We ask God for specific guidance, but he does not seem to answer. Thus, we conclude it is difficult to know God’s will.

The Bible teaches exactly the opposite. God’s will is eminently knowable and already known. Consider Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” God’s will lies in plain sight; it is obvious. In general terms, it consists of three choices.

First, the choice of salvation: God sent his Son into the world to forgive our sins and make it possible for us to live with him forever (John 3:16). He chose us; now, we must choose him. “For 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” (6:40).

Second, the choice of sanctification: God sent the Holy Spirit to make us moral people from the inside out (Gal. 5:22–23). He expects us to act ethically. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him… For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thes. 4:3–7).

Third, the choice of service: God expects each one of us to share the good news of salvation with others, and to use the talents he has given us to benefit our churches and communities. Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). And in order to help us accomplish this mandate, God gives every believer a unique spiritual gift. “All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Cor. 12:11). God distributes “gifts of the Holy Spirit…according to his will” (Heb. 2:4).

Salvation, sanctification, service: Pray for these and you discover God’s will.

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Charles Swindoll, Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010). $25.99, 364 pages.

Charles Swindoll is a master expository preacher. Over the next ten years, he plans to publish Swindoll’s New Testament Insights, a multi-volume commentary on all the books of the New Testament. To date, he has published volumes on Romans and John. These volumes are not technical commentaries. Rather, they are what I would classify as expository or devotional commentaries, written by preachers for parishioners….

You can read my entire review here.