By Gordon Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, CBN
Have you ever asked, “What does God want me to do?” People asked Jesus the same question: Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29)
What does God want us to do? The New Living Translation puts it this way, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:28)
If there is one thing you can do in life, it is to believe in Jesus. When you do that, suddenly all other questions are put into proper perspective.
When you know deep in your heart that Jesus is in you, that He is with you, and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, then suddenly life begins to make better sense.
Whatever problem you may face–whether it is a need for healing, guidance or provision–suddenly you know the answer: “Yes Christ is with you.” As Romans 8:31 says, If God is for us, who can be against us?
As you seek God’s will, remember that His primary will for you is to believe in Jesus. When you get that straight and have that as your foundation, everything else comes clear.
When looking for guidance about whether to do something in particular with your life, consider three things. First: Do you have the talent for it? Second: Do you have the desire for it? And third: Do you have the opportunity?
Some of us may have a desire to do certain things. For example, I’d love to be able to do something with music, and I have a certain desire for that, but there is the issue of talent. If you heard me sing, you would understand that this is not God’s call in my life. Other times we may have the talent to do something, yet we don’t have the desire. But when you have the talent, you have the desire, and you have the opportunity, then God is probably speaking to you and giving you a door to walk through.
Keep in mind that He has created things for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, For we are His workmanship. It’s not up to you to work yourself out. We are His workmanship, and He is working in our lives. The verse goes on to say that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
When you truly understand that He has prepared good works for you to walk in, then life becomes a wonderful journey of discovery. You begin asking, “What good things has God created for me to walk into?” You start actively looking for them, and when you find them, you start doing them.
The test for these good works is simple. First, is it good for God? Second, is it good for other people? And third, is it good for you? If those three things line up, you’ve got a winner. You can move ahead confidently and say, “I’m going to do this.”
Finally, keep in mind that you didn’t choose God; He chose you. When you have that deeply in your mind and spirit, then you understand that the results are no longer dependent upon your own effort; they are up to God.
Here are Jesus’ words in John 15:16: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
When you have that certainty that Christ has chosen you–you didn’t choose Him or make this up; instead, God has ordained you to go and do these good works–then you have all the confidence you need to succeed.
So today, resolve that you will believe in the One He sent. Resolve that there are good works waiting for you to walk into, and resolve that He is the One who chose you. then go out and do what He tells you to do with the assurance that God is with you.
Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version except as noted.
GORDON ROBERTSON is chief executive officer of CBN. He is also founder and president of CBN Asia, Inc., and founder of the Asian Center for Missions. Gordon co-hosts CBN’s flagship program,The 700 Club, and 700 Club Interactive, CBN’s newest program airing daily on ABC Family and CBN.com
