And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
As we encouraged in a previous article, God has a way for everything, and God’s ways are always best. Indeed, God is a process-oriented problem solver. He has a way for every problem, big or small, that we face each and every day.
God created the process of salvation to solve the problem of our rebellion. He created the process of faith to solve the problem mere humans have in their attempts to lay hold of His grace. Sanctification and transformation are processes God uses to set us apart from the world and prepare us for participation in the good work that glorifies Him (i.e., addressing the problem of our carnality).
God has a way for disciplining our children, running a business, operating a church, and hundreds of other big things we (individually and corporately) are responsible for in this life. A strong argument can be made that God has a way for even the most mundane and simple problems of life. During our formative years, we learned God’s ways regarding order, cleanliness, and purpose from our parents, guardians, teachers, and peers.
In the coming weeks, we will endeavor to describe several of God’s ways in a way (no pun intended) that edifies, encourages, and equips the saints of God for the work of ministry. We begin by searching out a few fundamental and foundational characteristics.
Merriam-Webster contains a lengthy list of entries for “process”. The one most related to our study defines process as “a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result”. Read that again from a Biblical perspective; it actually describes God’s ways quite well.
God’s ways are natural – not unusual or extraordinary – for His children. God’s ways involve gradual changes (most of the time). And God’s ways lead toward a particular result. In our case, that result is the supernatural intention of God – either His working in us to will and to do to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), or His working through us in the good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:16).
There are a few other things to keep in mind about God’s ways:
- God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:9) until we submit to them and make them our own.
- The Merriam-Webster dictionary does not include the notion of a beginning event. As far as I can tell, all of God’s ways have a beginning and an end. For example, the beginning of the salvation process is repentance, and God’s way for faith begins with a rhema word from Him to the one who would believe.
- Process standardization is a worldly concept. On the contrary, God works dynamically (though within a general order). He is not bound by a standardized process. He created and knows our frame, and each one is quite different than the next. It is not provable, but I suspect He never applies the exact same process to separate individuals.
This last point is important from two perspectives. First, we must avoid all attempts at homogenizing and duplicating God’s work in another person or institution. That cuts God and His dynamism out of the process. It also establishes ungodly expectations on God and His people.
Secondly, we would do ourselves well (and avoid a lot of harm to others) to recognize and remember that we are all “in process”. And to that we should all say, “Thank God!” Why? Because God is still at work in all of us. What we see, in ourselves and others, is not the finished product. I thank God my salvation is not complete, for there is still quite a bit of work left to accomplish in me.
Three Types of Ways – From One Source
…for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23b
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God. Romans 10:17
God shares His ways with us in three general ways:
- Through Scripture,
- Through others; and,
- Through His Spirit in us to our spirit.
It is important to note that these are listed in order, from general to more specific instruction. Additionally, God’s way requires better (i.e., more practiced) hearing as you move down the list.
God’s instruction and direction come from one source: His word (rhema). The verses above support this understanding. God would not have us sin, but instead do all things from faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by His rhema word. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines rhema primarily as “that which is or has been uttered by the living voice”.
Therefore, whether we find God’s way in Scripture, through another Christian, or in direct communion with Him, His way must be “heard”. Remember, God’s ways are ordered, but dynamic. Even the most gifted Bible scholar must hear God speak the ways found in Scripture to understand God’s particular intention and approach. There is no substitute for hearing the ways of God.
Of course, this means we must learn to hear and recognize God’s voice. Those who find relational, listening prayer a foreign exercise are at a distinct disadvantage. Hearing God in prayer takes discipline and practice. We strongly recommend Larry Crabb’s book, The PAPA Prayer, and Andrew Murray’s, With Christ in the School of Prayer, to anyone desiring a more intimate walk with God.
The Three Who’s of God’s Ways
This is a simple point to make, but one so incredibly important it could not be left out. God often uses other Christians to reveal His ways – those individuals He has positioned and empowered to disciple us. Some know this is their role (e.g., preacher, teachers). Others unknowingly speak a word of direction and encouragement as God’s instrument of grace.
To recognize and correctly discern this phenomenon, we must be practiced in the discipline of hearing. And yes, we are back to relational, listening prayer. What we practice in our quiet time with God eventually becomes “a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result”.
The corollary point is this: When it comes to understanding the ways of God, community is essential. This reminds me of something I recently read (I think from A. W. Tozer): People jump from church to church trying to “find” community. They never find it, because community is not found; it is built.
And God has a way for that, too. We will have to include it in the series. In the meantime…
God bless you with hunger and thirst for the righteousness of His ways and discernment for the dangers of all the rest.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
P.S. Your comments, questions, and challenges are gratefully welcomed during this series. The ways of God are best explored in community.