How can we rely on God's will to guide our spiritual growth? The Foundation: “And this we will do, if God permits” (Hebrews 6:3) • The writer has just encouraged believers to press on to maturity, then adds this humble qualifier: progress happens only “if God permits.” • Growth is therefore both a responsibility and a gift. We pursue it, but God opens the door, supplies the power, and determines the pace. God’s Sovereign Permission Fuels Growth • Philippians 2:13—“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” We cooperate, but He initiates. • 1 Corinthians 3:6—“I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow.” Effort matters, yet results rest in His hands. • John 15:5—abiding in Christ is non-negotiable: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Key takeaway: Spiritual development happens because God grants both the desire and the enablement. Our confidence rests in His unwavering commitment to finish what He starts (Philippians 1:6). Our Part: Trusting and Obeying • Dependence—Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to lean on the Lord, not on our own understanding. • Submission—Romans 12:2 urges a renewed mind that tests and approves His will. • Obedience—James 1:22 reminds us to be doers, not merely hearers. • Humility—recognizing, like the author of Hebrews, that progress is never self-produced keeps pride at bay and invites more grace (James 4:6). Practical Ways to Rely on God’s Will 1. Daily Scripture Intake ▪ Let God’s Word set your agenda; His commands reveal His will (Psalm 119:105). 2. Conversational Prayer ▪ Ask specifically for growth areas, echoing James 1:5 for wisdom. 3. Active Obedience ▪ Step out on what you already know; God often reveals the next step after we obey the current one. 4. Spirit-Led Community ▪ Fellowship sharpens discernment of His will (Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Continual Surrender ▪ Hand back goals, timelines, and outcomes, trusting His perfect timing. Encouragement from Additional Passages • Psalm 32:8—God Himself promises to instruct and counsel. • Ephesians 2:10—We are His workmanship, created for works He prepared beforehand. • Jude 24—He is able to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless with great joy. Relying on God’s will doesn’t sideline personal effort; it sanctifies and empowers it. With every step toward maturity, we echo Hebrews 6:3: “And this we will do, if God permits.” |
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