How can we declare "the whole will of God" in our daily lives? Setting the Scene in Acts 20:27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27) Paul is bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders. His conscience is clear because he has held nothing back—no truth, no warning, no promise. That same wholehearted transparency becomes our pattern. What “the whole will of God” Includes • The gospel of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) • The commands that shape holy living (John 14:15) • God’s warnings and judgments (Ezekiel 33:7-9) • God’s promises and encouragements (2 Peter 1:4) • The full sweep of Scripture, Genesis to Revelation—“The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160) Personal Preparation: Filling Up Before Pouring Out • Daily, intentional Scripture intake (Joshua 1:8) • Prayerful dependence on the Spirit who guides into all truth (John 16:13) • Ongoing obedience—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) • Fellowship with believers for mutual sharpening (Acts 2:42) Declaring Through Words • Share the gospel clearly whenever doors open (Romans 1:16) • Integrate Scripture into everyday conversation—at home, work, and recreation (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) • Teach and disciple—“admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom” (Colossians 1:28) • Stand ready to give a reason for the hope within you, “yet with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) • Use every platform—coffee tables, classrooms, phone calls, social media—to speak truth seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6) Declaring Through Works • Live noticeably holy lives that match the message (1 Peter 1:15) • Show sacrificial love that reflects the cross (John 13:35) • Practice integrity in business, academics, and family life (Proverbs 11:3) • Serve the vulnerable—widows, orphans, strangers—so the Word is not maligned (James 1:27) • Respond to injustice with righteous action, demonstrating God’s heart for mercy (Micah 6:8) Staying Faithful in a Shifting Culture • Refuse to edit or soften biblical truth to fit cultural preferences (Galatians 1:10) • Speak truth in love, not hostility (Ephesians 4:15) • Endure opposition with joy, “rejoicing that you were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name” (Acts 5:41) • Rely on the Spirit for boldness—“they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31) • Keep eternity in view; declare truth now because judgment is real and Christ is returning (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Practical Daily Rhythms • Begin each morning in the Word before engaging the world • Ask, “Who can I encourage, teach, or serve today?” and act on the prompt • Keep a running list of Scriptures to share in specific situations • Memorize key verses so truth is always on your tongue (Psalm 119:11) • End each day with honest self-examination and repentance, staying usable for tomorrow Encouragement to Stand Firm “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Declare the whole will of God—with lips that speak truth, lives that model it, and hearts that refuse to shrink back. |
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