One of the hardest things for a man to do is to get in front of the mirror and admit that he has imperfections. For different reasons he is convinced that his way is the best way to address his problems. It is not until man gets backed up into a corner that he seeks the Lord’s help. Wouldn’t it be much better to do things God’s way right from the start? Wouldn’t it be better to get on God’s wavelength instead of expecting God to get on ours? Today we will be looking to see what the Bible has to say about this issue. We will see what God’s Word has to say about our topic “How to Get on The Same Page with God.” It may surprise you, but the Bible is very clear and concise about how we can accomplish this.
To begin, we must first recognize and acknowledge that the Bible is a book of revelation. You can’t treat it like a textbook and expect to understand what God is saying. If you pray and ask God to reveal His Word to your mind, He will because He loves you and He is faithful. The following are some of the ways in which the Bible tells us how we go from ignorance to knowledge of what God expects from us:
Prior to being saved we live in ignorance and darkness. We do not believe the truth and refuse to believe the truth, because God has allowed some to be under a strong delusion which prompts us to believe lies. And He allows this so that those who continue to refuse to believe the truth will be led to destruction. [2 Thes. 2:10-12] At this point we are serving the Prince of Darkness. Our hearts are hardened, and our eyes and ears are influenced by the carnal [our flesh]. We do not listen to reason, because pleasures of the flesh are more enticing. We are not interested in the spiritual order of things and hence do not put God in His rightful place.
In Genesis 1:26, 27, and 2:7 we see that God is the creator of man and man was created in His image. But after God gave man free will, man, unfortunately, has abused that privilege and has been rebellious and disobedient.
Putting things in perspective, in Isaiah 55:8, 9 the Bible tells us that God’s ways and thoughts are both different than ours and much higher than ours. In James 1:5 He says if anyone lacks wisdom come to God who will give it without partiality. In Prov. 1:1-7 it says to get wisdom. In Prov. 2:2-6 the Bible tells us to seek skillful and godly wisdom so it will raise our insight and understanding. Then we will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of the Lord. Proverbs 8:11-13 says skillful and Godly wisdom is better than rubies and pearls, and it includes hatred of evil, perverted and twisted speech. Proverbs 9:10 says the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom. And in Proverbs 1:10, 11 God tells us not to be enticed by sinners. In Proverbs 30:5, it is written that every word of God is tried and purified. And He will be a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 1:24, 25 say even though He has called out to us, we don’t listen to Wisdom.
Then we get burned out, because we don’t heed Wisdom, and calamity comes [Proverbs 1:26] panic comes [Proverbs 1:27]; and in desperation we call out to Wisdom [Proverbs 1:28], but Wisdom does not respond to us.
Then we decide to consider our ways, and we turn our feet towards Him [Psalm 119:59]
We decide to ask for help. In Psalm 25:2b we call out for help, “Don’t let the enemy triumph over me.” And in Psalm 25: 4, 5 we say, “Show me your ways” followed by “Give me discernment” in verse 25.
At this point God says He will remove our hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh, and then He will put His Spirit in us and we will know His commandments and do them. [Ezek. 36:26, 27]
Then we finally decide to look at His Word seriously. So we go to II Timothy: 3:16, 17. Here we see “Every scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action, so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly well equipped for every good work.
As the Holy Spirit convicts us we are led to Psalm 119:5& 17 where we observe God’s Word [Hear, receive, love and obey it]. This is the beginning of our transformation. Romans 12:2 says “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You do that by praying to God for revelation and when you come expecting when you read His Word. Jer. 29:12-14 Ampl. says if you call out to Him, pray to Him, inquire of Him and require Him to be a [vital] necessity, and search for Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Then He will release you from captivity [from whatever kept you in bondage]
As you trust in, lean on and rely on God you will be developing your faith, [Psalm 26:1]. Reading a capsule of the saints of the past [like Enoch, Abraham, Moses and Noah] who put their total trust in the Lord will bolster your faith.[Hebrews 11:5-9]
This will allow you to yield to the Holy Spirit who will convict you to the point where you will voluntarily put down your pride and self-denial, ask Jesus to come into your life, and submit to Him as Lord. Once you have said the sinner’s prayer [statement of faith] and make a serious commitment to be a child of God, you will be born again in the spirit and become a new creature in Christ. The old [moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold the fresh and the new has come. [II Cor. 5:17]
Remember, when you become saved, it’s just the beginning of your journey. Don’t think you’ve arrived. Matthew 24:13 says “He that endures to the end will be saved.” The ultimate prize is when we will be raptured up with Jesus and receive our new bodies. We all are a work in progress. We all have to go through trials and temptations to prove our faith. It is then that our steadfastness, endurance, and patience will enable God to do a thorough work, so that we may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing. [James 1:2-4 Ampl.] Then He can refine us and shape us into the vessels that He can use to do His work and will accomplish His will according to His purpose and not return to Him void as stated in Isaiah 55:11.
Bear in mind God is putting us in His spiritual kiln [oven] to burn off the impurities. He does this for a number of reasons. First, He wants to refine us. These are the life experiences that take the shape of challenges, trials and temptations. When we have gone through these tests, we should learn from them and hence gain more [skillful and Godly] wisdom. Second, He is preparing us to enter His eternal kingdom. And God doesn’t want anyone unstable or double-minded in an eternal environment.
Third, on the great wedding day Christ will marry the church. And if we believe in Gen. 2:24, it is not advisable to marry two people who are not equally yoked, because they are to become one flesh. And since Jesus has no spots and we do, we are the ones that have to be cleaned up. If this principle is not observed there would be a war of the flesh. Fourth, God wants to build us up so we can accomplish His will as stated in Isaiah 55:11. When Christ lived He was God’s Righteousness. But now that He is at the right hand of the Father we believers are God’s Righteousness in Christ and it is up to us to carry out and accomplish God’s will according to His purpose without returning to Him void [being unsuccessful].
We all should use Jesus as our standard-bearer and measuring stick. And like Him, we should attempt to perfectly please our Father in heaven in thought, purpose [motive], and action. And as you grow in grace, you will find that there are many promises that God has made on which you can stand. This is the wonderful God that we have. Jesus did the hard work by His suffering and taking upon Himself our sins, so we can be reconciled to the Father. All we need do is believe, have faith, and trust in Him without doubt.
Let me leave you with something beautiful and enlightening that our Lord Jesus said in prayer. While praying in the garden of Gethsemane.
In John 17:22, 23 it is written I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one. [v23] I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
What a wonderful God we serve to love us as much as He loved as His own Son!
CONCLUSION
God’s Bible is His Operation Manual for our lives. If we study His Word, there are hints that tell us how to get on the same page with Him.
We should all consider Him to be a vital necessity in our lives and pay close attention to what He is telling us in His Word.
Are you listening to that still small voice in you for God’s instruction?
That is the Holy Spirit giving you counsel and guidance.
If you are led, share your thoughts below.