Knowing The Will Of God (An Except From *Image Of God*)

Knowing the Will of God.... from “The Image of God,” by Mary Banks

Below is an excerpt from my book, “The Image of God.” It is the eleventh chapter, “Knowing the Will of God.”

Though “The Image of God” was written several years ago, it holds fast the truth about hearing God. Therefore, I will use it as a foundational base for the present truth.

What is the will of God; and how can anyone be sure that what one thinks to be the will of God is truly His will? This is the question the Body is asking today. It seems no matter how the revelation of Christ in the Church unfolds, this question is either on the lips, or buried in the hearts of God’s people. It seems, after so much revelatory knowledge, it would be easy to discern the will of God. But that has not been the case. Many are still perplexed and even fall into despair, when ‘knowing the will of God is crucial to their well-being.

Well beloved, prepare yourself to receive the cold facts and raw truth about the matter. All the promises of

God are yea, and there is no shadow of turning in Him. Therefore, His promises are sure. But the Church has become so accustomed to struggling with the principles of its Faith, until it has made the promises of God of no effect. Unbelief is the sin that besets the Church and causes it to stagger at the words of our Lord. Consider the following.

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

The Master here speaks to His disciples who are not yet born-again. Therefore, He realizes there is only so much they will comprehend of His Word. They were natural men. They could not bear the knowledge of God living in their natural bodies. This great God of creation is coming down from the heavens to live and fellowship with them. This was inconceivable.

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

When the Holy Ghost is come; they would be able to bear this great truth. It is also by the Holy Spirit that we begin to understand the mystery of our salvation. Why? Because He will come to dwell in us and bear witness with our spirit that Jesus is the Lord from Heaven. For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He will speak that which He hears. The question here should be to whom is the Holy Spirit listening? The answer is simple; He is the spokesman for the Royal Family. But He is not eavesdropping; He is a part of the conversation. It was the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost who discussed the possibility of making man in their own image. In Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and as He is, so are we. Therefore, in us is the fullness of God.

Jesus declares the Holy Spirit will speak to us. It is the will of the Father to speak to the Sons just as He spoke to and through Jesus. Whatever the Holy Ghost hears that He will speak. We cannot get around that truth. It is ordained of God for the Spirit to speak to the children of God. Therefore, the problem is not that the Holy Spirit is in rebellion and simply refuses to speak to the Sons. That is absurd. I submit that the source of the problem lies with the Sons.

Why do we not hear when the Spirit speaks? Could it be unbelief has become more powerful than the witness within us? If so, what is it many do not believe? Due to the effect of tradition and false doctrines that were fed to the Body of Christ, it is almost impossible to believe the Almighty God, the one who created the universe, lives within us. Thus, it is also impossible to fellowship with this God. Traditional beliefs have made the Word of God (the truth) of non-effect in the lives of many in the Body of Christ.

Tradition and false doctrines did not allow us to see salvation from God’s perspective. Even though we confess Christ is in us, that confession is not with the conviction that our body is the temple of God and His Son. Such a convicted confession would mandate a mentality that says, “My body is not my own; it no longer belongs to me, but it is indeed the body of Christ.”

It is the desire of the Lord to speak to His people. But again, why is this so difficult for the Church to grasp? If the Body of Christ honestly believed that Jesus Christ is living in their fleshy bodies as a new man, it would be much easier to believe that the new man wants to fellowship with them.

1 John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The best word to define fellowship is communication.

1 John 1:4

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

The purpose of fellowship is to always know the Father’s mind and heart in a matter. It is to hear from the Lord, so we are not perplexed or grieved.

1 John 1:5

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

This verse starts with “this then,” which means ‘so,’ ‘also,’ or ‘moreover.’ God is light and in Him is no darkness.

1 John 1:6

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

Darkness is any form of sin, fear, or unbelief. When we step outside the boundaries of the Faith, we have no fellowship with God. He is not compelled to communicate with us. The instruction was “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). We can spend decades looking for ways to get God’s attention when all it takes is holiness.

1 John 1:7-8

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Here is where the rubber meets the road. Many saints deceive themselves by declaring themselves to be without sin simply because they do not commit the big eyebrow-raising sins. But if the heart is not in agreement with anything that is the mind of God, then fellowship is broken, and the darkness prevails in your soul. Those who are in fellowship with God are not walking the as blind sheep, fearful and afraid of the gods of this world. When every situation in which you are not able to control brings about fear, and every circumstance that places your desire to do the work of God seemingly out of reach, brings despair; then you are not in fellowship with God. When godly decisions are laced with mental anguish and the fear of threatening consequences, one is truly walking in darkness. This kind of fear is ungodly. Fellowship is the platform on which God speaks to His people. Without it there is no hearing from the Father for leadership or guidance.

It is true that the Word of God is His written will. However, there are times and situations that are not explicitly written in the scriptures to indicate what we are to do or where we are to go. It is in these times that the Father’s will is made known to us through fellowship.

The Lord communicated with the apostles after He went back to glory. He did so in dreams, visions, and a spoken word to their spirit. Will He not do the same with us?

Is it so hard to believe the Father is not a respecter of persons? We are all His children; by the same Spirit we cry, ‘Abba Father’.

To cut to the chase, holiness is the criterion for fellowshipping with the Father and the Son. But sin and unbelief have destroyed communication with God. It is a cursed generation that cannot commune with a God who promises to lead and guide His people. This curse will come upon those who refuse to walk within the boundaries of the Faith. Jeremiah, the prophet, is our schoolmaster in this.

Jeremiah 42:7-14

7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.

8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,

9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;

10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not

pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.

12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,

14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the

trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

The Israelites went into Babylon as an oppressed people. It was God’s will for them to serve the Babylonians for 70 years. Nevertheless, the promise of the Lord was that there would be safety in their servitude. Because it was the will of God for them to be in such a place, He would protect them there. Not only so, but He would also bring them into their own land at the appointed time.

Many saints are ignorant of the will of God for their lives because at some point they strayed from the course He set them on. Many are like the unconverted Peter: they really believe they will never abandon the Lord nor His way, until either a grievous circumstance or the prospect of need arises. It is here that faith and trust vanish. Peter did not agree with the route God set for Jesus. He did not understand that suffering always precedes glory. Jesus learned obedience to the Father by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). It might have been rugged and hard, but it was the will of God.

Jeremiah 42 verse 14...Saying, No; but we will... Most saints do not see their refusal to walk in the place where they must endure hardness as the act of saying ‘no’ to

God. But we are saying no when we look for an alternative place to settle, (a comfortable non-threatening zone), where there will be no war, (adversity); nor hunger for bread, (a place of worldly prosperity and security). These saints believe they are doing that which is in their best interest. However, the Lord’s response to this behavior is not good for them at all. In essence, they have usurped their will above His. They have not regarded His desire for their lives and have gone about to establish their own. Just as the Jews said to God, “No, but we will,” so has the Body of Christ said the same. Many have walked in their

own will with little regard for the will of God. The bottom line here is many do not hear the voice of God because their own will stands between Him and them.

Some in the Body have made a resolve in their spirit that no one is going to lead them outside of their comfort zone; this includes the spiritual government in the Body as well as the Holy Ghost Himself. Although they might seem to be some of the most loyal and virtuous individuals in a ministry, their variance to spiritual authority is not visible until the Holy Ghost makes a demand of them that takes the soul out of its place of comfort and control.

In considering the schoolmaster for this principle, Jeremiah the prophet enquired of God as to where the

people were to go. They said they would obey the Lord, regardless of what His word is to them, (whether it is good or evil). But the report was for them to dwell in Babylon under the king of that nation. They were not to leave or attempt to escape to Egypt where the king of Babylon had no real grievance at that time.

In some cases, the Father has had such people under observation for years. They seem to be loyal and

dedicated to the will of God and to their ministries. They are not lazy or slothful; in fact, many are extremely hard workers. But they are also idol worshippers. They are good at what they do; but they are only good because they are doing it their way and in their timing. They are will-worshippers. They worship their own will. Therefore, they have no problem saying to their leaders or to the Holy Ghost, “No, but I will do this or that; No, but I will go here and not there.”

These Sons have violated the most sacred of all laws; “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Their will is their god; they are usurpers. The scripture has said, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). The work should be that which God has chosen to do through us according to the good pleasure of His will, not ours. Thus, the will and the work should be a manifestation of God in us. If we obey and submit, God renders a promise to “make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well- pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21). God works in us through Jesus Christ, who is the new man dwelling in our fleshly bodies. Submission to this plan of action developed by God will make our works perfect before Him. Please note the promise made to Judah:

If ye will still abide in this land

• then will I build you, Obedience to God always brings about increase and expansion; spiritual knowledge and revelation, and the privilege to serve. Will-worshippers do not reverence servitude as a privilege in the heart; they merely speak of it as such with lip-service.

• and not pull you down, Sooner or later the Lord will execute judgment on those who walk in their own will. The deception here is that judgment has not come. But the truth is, it will come either in this world or the world to come.

• I will plant you. The only surety we have in this life is if the Father establishes us. Doing His will makes us valuable to the Body of Christ and guarantees us a steadfast place in the Kingdom.

• and not pluck you up. When we judge ourselves as successful doing our own will, a sense of false security is developed.

If someone were to ask, “Do you believe God can blow on all you are doing and bring all your efforts to naught? The answer undoubtedly would be yes. But the truth is though many saints know that God can indeed to this, they do not really believe in their hearts that He will. The will-worshiper hides behind his good works and good moral behavior. These give him a sense of false security. But God said to Saul, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

When you depart from the way of the Lord and the route He places you on, trouble is in your path. There is no security that can protect you against disobedience to God. The Lord said something to me that echoes loud in the Church today: The people of God seem to think servitude in the Kingdom of God is an option. They seem to believe that if they do nothing spiritual to add to the Kingdom of God, it is well with their soul. But that is a gross deception.

We are all called to the ministry of reconciliation and every path God sets for us is designed to give us the

opportunity to influence the lives of others. This may not be preaching or teaching; it may be giving, administration, helps or some other provision for the Body that God has compacted us with. Therefore, the Lord will lead and guide you to that place of servitude which will glorify Him in the end. Most likely these are places of sacrifice. They may also promise to hold no good thing for the flesh. However, the spirit will be fulfilled.

Whenever God’s Word to you becomes a controversy in you, the door of communication with God is shut. Those who come to fellowship with the Lord must first believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). This diligent seeking is “to ask back,” “require,” “to search out or investigate.” To ask back is to bring the Word back to God’s hearing, or rather to ask those things that are relative to His purpose.

And while we are on the subject of the flesh let me make it clear, that it is not the flesh that sins. The flesh seeks nothing. It is the soul who seeks those things that are comfortable to its flesh. But these are prayers that go amiss, for they have no regard for the mission of Christ. Your comfort zone for the flesh is a place of “do nothing” for Jesus. If your soul seeks after the comforts of this world, while Jesus is seeking to win the lost at any cost to the flesh, you will never have true fellowship with the Father, Son or Holy Ghost. You will always be perplexed regarding direction for your life.