Based on the writings of Ellen G. White, knowing God's will is an active process that involves studying His Word, surrendering one's own will through prayer, and living in obedience to the light He gives. ### 1. The Word of God: The Primary Source The most certain way to understand God's will is by studying the Scriptures. His will is not a mystery but is revealed for those who earnestly seek it. * **Revealed in Scripture:** "God reveals His will to us in His Word, the Holy Scriptures" (MYP 156.2). * **Essential for Salvation:** "Our salvation depends upon our knowledge of God's will as it is contained in His Word. Never cease asking and searching for truth. You need to know your duty" (MYP 260). * **A Prerequisite for Obedience:** "In order to keep God's commandments, we must have an intelligent knowledge of the Scriptures. We can not obey God until we know what His commands are" (AUCR September 15, 1902, par. 4). ### 2. The Role of Prayer and Submission Prayer is essential, not to command God, but to submit our desires to Him and align our will with His. * **Submissive Prayer:** "The consistent course is to commit our desires to our all-wise heavenly Father, and then, in perfect confidence, trust all to Him. We know that God hears us if we ask according to His will. But to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not right; our prayers must take the form, not of command, but of intercession" (MH 230.2). * **Christ's Example:** When praying, we should follow Christ's example in Gethsemane: “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). This attitude of submission is "becoming on the lips of finite, erring mortals!" (MH 230.1). ### 3. Obedience and Willingness to Act A willingness to do God's will is a prerequisite to understanding it. Knowledge and action are directly linked. * **Willingness Precedes Knowledge:** "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine" (T33 233.1). * **Obedience to Known Duty:** "The truths of the divine Word are best appreciated by those who are walking in the path of obedience to every known duty" (AUCR April 15, 1912, par. 20). ### 4. Cooperation Between God and Humanity God works with us, not for us. As we surrender our will, He empowers us to live according to His desires. * **Omnipotent Cooperation:** "As the will of man cooperates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command, may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings" (MYP 101.2). * **God Works Within Us:** We are to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (YI June 30, 1898, par. 5). ### 5. The Promise of Divine Guidance God promises to guide those who are sincere in their desire to follow Him. * **Guidance for the Earnest:** "The Lord reveals His will to those who are earnest and anxious to be guided" (3T 466.4). * **Clarity in Decision-Making:** "Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength" (Ev 688.2).