"Knowing and Doing the Will of God." When God directed Moses to build the tabernacle he said "See you make all things according to the pattern shown to you in the mount." (Sinai) Hebrews 8 v 5. This instruction was repeated on four different occasions in the Pentateuch. Exodus 25 vs 9 & 40 ; 26 v 30; 27 v 8; and Numbers 8 v 4. This gives us some indication of the importance God attached to the matter. The reason for the attention to detail lies in their relationship to God's principles in redemption and the basis of man's approach to Him. The Lord signified His approval of the completed tabernacle by filling it with His glory. Exodus 40 v 34. But there are important personal and practical aspects for those who belong to Jesus Christ. It is His deep desire that each person fulfils the plan and purpose for which he was created. I speak of knowing and doing the will of God. George W. Truett once said, "To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge; to find the will of God is the greatest discovery; to do the will of God is the greatest achievement." What a wonderful moment it will be when we hear the Master say, "Well done good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord." This is the prospect for all those who live according to His pattern. The following are a few observations on the issue of living a life according to God's pattern. God's Pattern is Visible. Yes, it is revealed in the human life of Jesus Christ. He came as the express image of the Father . He lived a life of humble obedience, loving compassion, burning devotion, ceaseless labours, and utter submission to the Father's will. Having been called according to his purpose, we must not rest content with anything less than being conformed to the image of the Son of God. We are to walk as he walked. How prone we are to take our pattern from the prevailing images around us. How often we live according to the pattern of the valley rather than the pattern of the mountain. Gregory Mantle once said, "We are so apt to measure down to the imperfect patterns we see around us, instead of measuring up to the Perfect Pattern we see above us." The outcome of such living is, praying which lacks passion, service which lacks zeal, giving which lacks sacrifice and living which lacks holiness. The end result is spiritual stagnation. Thank the Lord he has purposed and provided something better for his people. God's Pattern is Attainable. Here are the riches of God's grace. He has shown us the pattern and he also provides the way. It is not by imitation, but by his indwelling. Our Master Pattern is beautiful to behold, but beyond us. Unless He can become the power within, we are destined to failure. Inward passions and inherited pollution raise an insurmountable barrier to the obtaining of holiness. The heart cry of Romans seven is proof sufficient of our moral weakness. But there is an answer. God has made adequate provision for the purging of the heart. The sin cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ has opened up the way into the holiest of all, and made a life of purity possible in this world. He gave himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify us unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Titus 2 v 14. Added to this, we have the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has come to apply the blood of Jesus and energise the soul to live in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. It is the yielded and purified heart which makes possible the living out of Christ's life through us. Is it your desire to live this life? Are you striving to match the master pattern? Resolve in your heart to trust the all-cleansing power of the Redeemer's blood. Believe for the enduement of the Holy Spirit on your life. Bring your life as an all inclusive offering to the Saviour's feet. Trust Him to melt and break you. Allow Him to mould and fill your soul and spirit. You will be conformed to His likeness and transformed in your living. God's Pattern is Reasonable. Praise His Name the Lord never asks us to do something which is unreasonable. In fact He says it is a reasonable thing to entrust our body, soul and spirit to His service. Romans 12 v 1-2. "I beseech you therefore brethren that you present your bodies a living sacrifice; which is your reasonable service." It is reasonable to live for the Lord when we realise that He died and rose again for us. He deserves our response. It is reasonable to live for that which fits into His plan for our lives. It is reasonable to pursue that life which brings the greatest fulfilment; accomplishes the greatest ends and reaps the greatest reward. These are the facts and fruits of living to the will of God. Dr Wesley Duewel said, "Because your life is constantly related to God and is lived in the light of eternity, your life and God's eternal plan become one whole." You do not discover that plan once for all like an eternal blueprint with every day outlined in advance. No, you expect - and by faith accept - God's guidance day by day in all your activities and choices. God's will becomes for you, in the words of Dr Andrew Murray, "one whole- equally divine, beautiful and blessed." Trust the Lord daily for His guidance and you will see His pattern unfolding in your life. If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Edited for this website by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: end of February Archived Messages. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message