James tells us that we need to trust God with whatever He is doing in our lives and with our lives. We need to ask humbly, with faith, because of the greater context of God's will: God's will gave us salvation (James 1:18). If God was willing to give us His Son and deliver us from sin for all eternity, we ought to be able to trust Him with our day-by-day lives (Romans 8:28-32) and trust Him to finish the good work that He began in us (Philippians 1:6).

When we consider all that God is doing in the privacy of His own mind and heart, the will of God can be a mysterious subject (Romans 11:33-36). When we consider all that the Lord has revealed to us in His Word, the will of God becomes a great responsibility (Ephesians 5:15-17). We need to discern that which is God's business (i.e. things we do not understand - we must simply trust Him). We also need to discern that which has been made our business (i.e. things we can understand - we must simply obey Him). See Deuteronomy 29:29. Today, we will consider the subject of God's will in three aspects: Separation, Service and Submission.

Separation - James 1:18

God's will has led us to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (John 1:12-13). Through Christ we are separated from the world and its fleshly ways. When we claim salvation through the grace of Christ, our lives should demonstrate ("prove") His power to change our lives. See Ephesians 1:3-5; 9-12; 5:1-13 (note "prove" vs. 10 cp. Romans 12:2); I Thessalonians 4:3; I Peter 4:2; 3:15-17. See also II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Peter 1:2-4.

Service - Romans 12:1-2

Along with the transformation of our character and behavior, God's will leads us into a life of service - of doing the will of God (II Corinthians 5:14; Philippians 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:2-9). The will of God which, is revealed to us in Scripture, is to be known and obeyed (Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 5:15-17; II Timothy 2:15). We need to "prove" or demonstrate God's will by a transformed life of obedience.

See Paul's example.
(I Corinthians 1:1 cp. I Timothy 1:1,12-16; I Corinthians 9:16, 24-27).

Note the churches of Macedonia.
(II Corinthians 8:1-5 cp. Ephesians 5:14-21; Colossians 4:12; I Peter 2:15).

Submission - I Thessalonians 5:18

Whether it is easy or hard, pleasant or trying, the will of God must be accepted as, not only inevitable, but desirable.
See Job's example (Job 1:20-22; 2:10).
See Eli's example (I Samuel 3:1-18).
See Paul's example (Acts 21:10-14; Romans 1:9-10; 15:30-32; Hebrews 6:1-3).
Note: James 1:2-8; 4:13-16; I Peter 4:12-19.

Many seek health, wealth and what is commonly called "happiness." God's will for us is centered on:

Consider what Christ gave us. Rejoice in the will of God. Submit to the will of God.
See Matthew 26:36-42, 52-54; Hebrews 10:7-10, 14; Galatians 2:20.
For further reading: Mark 3:31-36; John 7:16-18; Ephesians 6:5-7; Hebrews 10:35-39;
I John 2:15-17 cp. John 6:27-29; I John 5:3-5 cp. John 14:15.