Jesus said that he came to do the will of his Heavenly Father and to be
an example of how to please him. If anyone wants to know and understand
the Father's will and please him, they must look to the example of
Christ :"All who listen to my instructions and follow them are
wise,like a man who builds his house on solid rock. Though the rain
comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against
his house, it won't collapse, for it is built on a rock. But those
who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish, like a man who
builds his house on the sand. For when the rains and floods come, and
storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash"
(Matt.7:24-27
LBP). See also 1.Tim.6:17-19."I, of myself can do
nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not
my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me"(Jn.5:30 KJV
Para.)."For I came down from heaven,not to do mine own will, but the
will of him that sent me"(Jn.6:38 KJV). "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen"(Heb.13:20-21 KJV).The apostles Paul, Peter, and John clearly understood that Jesus had been sent by the Father to reveal his purpose forhumanity; therefore, they taught that one of the primary ways to know, understand, and live within the Father's will is to study what Jesus taught and model one's thoughts and behavior after his example."Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"(Phil.2:5 KJV)."But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . ."(2.Pet.3:18 KJV)."But whosoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God [the Father's love] perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he [Jesus] walked"(1.Jn.2:5-6 KJV).The scriptures clearly show that God's will (his purpose) for humanity and for his elect children is no secret, and it can and must be known and understood if one is to grow toward spiritual maturity. But, how does one determine and understand God's will well enough to be able to set a correct course for one's life and make correct decisions concerning one's spiritual life?Ancient Israel relied on the priests and the prophets to reveal God's will to them.
Today, the elect of God must rely on the written word of God and the guidance from the holy spirit (Jn.14:26) to reveal the Father's will to them. Because the Father speaks to us through his written word and the holy spirit that resides within us, we should diligently study his word and ask him for spiritual enlightenment through his spirit so that we can know and understand his will in order do what pleases him.
Study God's Word
A person is not given perfect knowledge and understanding of all the mysteries of God at the instant one receives the holy spirit. A short review of the apostles' letters to the churches shows that the acquisition of spiritual knowledge and understanding requires that one ask the Father for it and then spend the time and effort to diligently seek it through study and meditation on God's word."The heart of the righteous studies how to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours outevil things"(Pro.15:28 KJV)."Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God. But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase to more ungodliness"(2.Tim.2:15-16 KJV). See also 1.Thes.4:10-12; 2.Pet.3:13-18.