Madre
05-07-2008, 09:43 AM
This a very interesting article:
God's Will, Lost or Found
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?ID=116
So, what does the New Testament say about decision making?
Always begin with Scripture. A plethora of problems, mistakes, errors and false living could be avoided if we would just begin with Scripture. This is a simple principle that is far too often ignored. The habit of many, even many Christian leaders, is to begin with an idea, philosophy, personal preference, pet peeve or observation, and then go back to Scripture to find a few verses to support their theory. If we do that, we might be able to convince ourselves of almost anything. But if all we do and believe emerges from the Word itself, we will be able to discern the value, or lack thereof, of all other ideas. If I could sum up my philosophy of ministry in one phrase it would be, "Begin with Scripture."
When you begin with Scripture, in the realm of decision making, you will be able to make your decisions on the basis of solid biblical precepts, commands and principles. The Bible will not tell you what house you are to buy, but it will frame that decision with financial, ministerial and family guidelines. It may not tell you to move to 334 South Grant Street, but it will present issues such as: Are your financial priorities biblical or are you thinking only of your comfort; how much can you truly afford; are you buying for prestige or in order to meet the needs of your family and better minister for the Lord; will this move be the best thing for your spouse, etc.? It is biblical concepts such as these that enable us to make decisions that honor Christ.
Pray for wisdom (James 1:5-8 ). This passage in James is principally in the context of trials; many of the decisions we make are during just such times. James tells us that God will answer our prayer for wisdom, when asked in faith, but he does not say how. If wisdom is defined as the application of the knowledge of the Word of God, then perhaps the Lord opens our minds to the understanding of His truth in a unique way when we pray. We can’t be certain of the methodology but we can be certain that God will answer. Again, we are not told that the Lord will specifically make the decision for us through some form of prompting, only that He will provide wisdom for making a wise decision.
Wise counsel. The Scriptures are replete with encouragement for us to seek the counsel of wise and godly people (Proverbs 12:15; 13:10; 15:22; 20:18 ). Additionally, Paul tells the believers that they should be involved in counseling one another (Romans 15:14). The counsel of wise, godly and scripturally knowledgeable people is an important source for making wise decisions, but we must keep in mind that such counsel is not infallible. It is a piece but it does not solve the puzzle.
Circumstances and opportunity. The same can be said concerning these two. Circumstances and opportunities offer us options – options that should be carefully examined. But these options are not obligatory mandates from God. Because we are offered a job in Indiana does not mean that we must take it. Because God has "opened the door" for us to teach junior high boys does not mean we have to do so.
Desire. God often works through our desires. What is it that we want to do? is a good question to ponder. In 1 Timothy 3:1 Paul writes that those who desire to be elders desire a good thing. But carefully note, Paul did not tell Timothy to grab all who desire the office of elder and install them. Rather, he lays out for Timothy the requirements that an elder must meet (3:2-7; see also Titus 1:5-9).
This would be a good time to say a little more about the "call" to ministry. Only three times in the New Testament is someone called to ministry: Paul is called to be an apostle (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1); Barnabas and Saul to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:2) and Paul to take the gospel to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). These three unique callings do not establish a norm. What about all the other ministers in the New Testament who did not receive such a call – how did they know they were to be elders (pastors) or missionaries or where they were to go? We do not find any definite teaching on a call to ministry in the New Testament. So how does a person make a choice as to whether he should be in ministry or not? I think John Newton (author of "Amazing Grace") was on the mark when he offered these three tests: 1) Desire – do you have "a warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service?" 2) Gifts – "There must in due season appear some competent sufficiency, gifts, knowledge and utterance. Surely, if the Lord sends a man to teach others, He will furnish him with the means." 3) Opportunity - I have heard it said that if you feel "called" to preach but nobody seems "called" to listen you’ve got a problem. To Newton’s remarks, I would add the necessary spiritual requirements as listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Those lists contain mostly spiritual characteristics but also include the ability to "exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). In other words, they must be able to teach the Word as well as stand against and correct those who do not.
Freedom. Surrounded by these principles, and others found within the New Testament, we are given freedom to make choices that we believe will glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Many Christians are uncomfortable with such freedom, having been taught that the perfect will of God could be found through some extrabiblical means. But the good news is that God, within biblical parameters, has given us the freedom and ability to make wise choices that honor Him.
God's Will, Lost or Found
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?ID=116
So, what does the New Testament say about decision making?
Always begin with Scripture. A plethora of problems, mistakes, errors and false living could be avoided if we would just begin with Scripture. This is a simple principle that is far too often ignored. The habit of many, even many Christian leaders, is to begin with an idea, philosophy, personal preference, pet peeve or observation, and then go back to Scripture to find a few verses to support their theory. If we do that, we might be able to convince ourselves of almost anything. But if all we do and believe emerges from the Word itself, we will be able to discern the value, or lack thereof, of all other ideas. If I could sum up my philosophy of ministry in one phrase it would be, "Begin with Scripture."
When you begin with Scripture, in the realm of decision making, you will be able to make your decisions on the basis of solid biblical precepts, commands and principles. The Bible will not tell you what house you are to buy, but it will frame that decision with financial, ministerial and family guidelines. It may not tell you to move to 334 South Grant Street, but it will present issues such as: Are your financial priorities biblical or are you thinking only of your comfort; how much can you truly afford; are you buying for prestige or in order to meet the needs of your family and better minister for the Lord; will this move be the best thing for your spouse, etc.? It is biblical concepts such as these that enable us to make decisions that honor Christ.
Pray for wisdom (James 1:5-8 ). This passage in James is principally in the context of trials; many of the decisions we make are during just such times. James tells us that God will answer our prayer for wisdom, when asked in faith, but he does not say how. If wisdom is defined as the application of the knowledge of the Word of God, then perhaps the Lord opens our minds to the understanding of His truth in a unique way when we pray. We can’t be certain of the methodology but we can be certain that God will answer. Again, we are not told that the Lord will specifically make the decision for us through some form of prompting, only that He will provide wisdom for making a wise decision.
Wise counsel. The Scriptures are replete with encouragement for us to seek the counsel of wise and godly people (Proverbs 12:15; 13:10; 15:22; 20:18 ). Additionally, Paul tells the believers that they should be involved in counseling one another (Romans 15:14). The counsel of wise, godly and scripturally knowledgeable people is an important source for making wise decisions, but we must keep in mind that such counsel is not infallible. It is a piece but it does not solve the puzzle.
Circumstances and opportunity. The same can be said concerning these two. Circumstances and opportunities offer us options – options that should be carefully examined. But these options are not obligatory mandates from God. Because we are offered a job in Indiana does not mean that we must take it. Because God has "opened the door" for us to teach junior high boys does not mean we have to do so.
Desire. God often works through our desires. What is it that we want to do? is a good question to ponder. In 1 Timothy 3:1 Paul writes that those who desire to be elders desire a good thing. But carefully note, Paul did not tell Timothy to grab all who desire the office of elder and install them. Rather, he lays out for Timothy the requirements that an elder must meet (3:2-7; see also Titus 1:5-9).
This would be a good time to say a little more about the "call" to ministry. Only three times in the New Testament is someone called to ministry: Paul is called to be an apostle (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1); Barnabas and Saul to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:2) and Paul to take the gospel to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). These three unique callings do not establish a norm. What about all the other ministers in the New Testament who did not receive such a call – how did they know they were to be elders (pastors) or missionaries or where they were to go? We do not find any definite teaching on a call to ministry in the New Testament. So how does a person make a choice as to whether he should be in ministry or not? I think John Newton (author of "Amazing Grace") was on the mark when he offered these three tests: 1) Desire – do you have "a warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service?" 2) Gifts – "There must in due season appear some competent sufficiency, gifts, knowledge and utterance. Surely, if the Lord sends a man to teach others, He will furnish him with the means." 3) Opportunity - I have heard it said that if you feel "called" to preach but nobody seems "called" to listen you’ve got a problem. To Newton’s remarks, I would add the necessary spiritual requirements as listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Those lists contain mostly spiritual characteristics but also include the ability to "exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). In other words, they must be able to teach the Word as well as stand against and correct those who do not.
Freedom. Surrounded by these principles, and others found within the New Testament, we are given freedom to make choices that we believe will glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Many Christians are uncomfortable with such freedom, having been taught that the perfect will of God could be found through some extrabiblical means. But the good news is that God, within biblical parameters, has given us the freedom and ability to make wise choices that honor Him.