By Arthur J. Licursi

I recently had a young dispensational grace believer ask me how we are to know that which applies to us in decision making when we read the Bible. Many Christians agonize over what they should do in this or that circumstance or situation. But there is no excuse for any confusion as to the way for us to go as believers.

First, we know that Paul is “the Apostle to the Gentiles” of the Gentile “body of Christ” during this age of “the dispensation of the Grace of God.” We have Paul’s thirteen epistles for our leaning and guidance during today’s age. As you read you will note that Paul words cover every issue for us as humans and as believers while we of how to live on earth. Below we see how that Paul tells us we are “thoroughly [or fully] furnished,” including the truth of ‘God’s will.’ How exactly is that? We his instruction for us see this via; 1) the written “word of truth” for us today, and 2) we have the revelation that spontaneously comes to us by the indwelling “Spirit of Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:2) as we read and study His written “words which are Spirit” (Jn 6:63). There is no need for mysterious guidance as noted with Gideon’s ‘fleece guidance’ (cf. Jud. 6:36-39). Yet Many look for circumstantial or physical evidence to confirm of God’s will for them. Satan, during today’s “dispensation of the grace of god” is “the god of this world [Gk. aion, age].” (2Cor. 4:4) and able to deceive us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV) ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ [so] That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Paul below leaves no doubt as to how we are to conduct ourselves and make decisions in daily living as Christians who in fact can and should know all that we need to know. Consider the application of these words.

Ephesians 4:24-32 And that ye put on the new man, which after [which is like] God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  ²⁵ Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  ²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.  ²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  ²⁹ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  ³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  ³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:1-25 If [since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead [cf. with Christ, Rom. 6:3-4], and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory. ⁵ Mortify therefore your [sinful body] members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶ For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: ⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: ¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity [charis, ‘love’], which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive [consequences] for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

The fact is that we make the choices as to what we are to do in response to the circumstances and situations we encounter. We need to note how Paul “determined to do” so many things as seen in these verses below. We know that the Lord has gave us what he gave to Paul in the written word for us to know how we are to respond and live in the face of all our circumstances and situations. Consider these verses that demonstrate Paul making decisions. The word “determined” as seen below is the Greek krino, meaning, ‘decided.’

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. Acts 20:16 (KJV)

² For I [Paul] determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV)

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Acts 15:2 (KJV)

¹ And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. Acts 27:1 (KJV)

³⁷ And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. Acts 15:37 (KJV)

¹ But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 Corinthians 2:1 (KJV)

²⁹ Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Acts 11:29 (KJV)

¹² When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Titus 3:12 (KJV)