A wealthy landowner had to hire a new coachman. On the day the decision about the new coachman was to be made, several coachmen gathered at the estate. Each coachman was asked the same question: “How safely can you drive me on a narrow mountain path?” The first coachman could drive safely within one meter of the ravine’s edge. The second coachman managed half a meter, so it continued. Each of the following coachmen could drive even closer to the edge. Finally, the last coachman arrived and was asked the same question. He replied: “I always drive as far away from the edge as possible!” He got the job.
The Bible tells us the will of God in many ways. This will is clearly recognizable, and we should make every effort to recognize it (Eph. 5:17). The apostle Paul prayed for the Colossians so that they might be “filled with the knowledge of His will” (Col. 1:9). The Greek word used here for “to be filled” (pleroo) means to be filled entirely, like a cup that is filled to the brim. Anyone who is “filled” in this way can walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (Col. 1:10). Incidentally, this knowledge does not “come to us.” If we want to gain it, it is necessary to read the Bible prayerfully and with open eyes.
The law regulated the life of an Israelite down to the smallest detail. He could know quite precisely what he was allowed to do and what not. It is different for us, who live under grace and not under law. We have “freedom,” and in many questions the Bible does not tell us what to do. It doesn’t tell us which car or which clothes we can buy. Nor does it tell us where we should spend our vacation. And yet, we can behave correctly in everyday life, according to God’s will.
We can learn from Romans 12:2 that we should examine “what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God“; Ephesians 5:10 also calls on us to examine “what is pleasing to the Lord” or “what is more excellent” (Phil. 1:10). Such a serious examination will answer many a may-I-do-this-or-that-or-can-I-go-there-or-there question. It will prevent us from staying in gray areas or even danger zones. Let us not, like most of the coachmen, try out what is still possible, but, like the last coachman, stay away from all kinds of evil as far as possible and always ask: “What do you want me to do, Lord?”