Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
www.suscopts.org
   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

I want to live with God and to do His Holy will especially in making decisions. What should I do?

I think that you are asking about living circumspectly, seeking a more spiritual life and growing in the grace of our Lord. "The children of God go from strength to strength" (Psalm 84:7). St. Paul tells us, "They are changed from glory to glory" (II Corinthians 3:18). How can these two biblical promises become true in our lives? They can become so through the renewal of our inner man day by day in order to become the image of God, and attain spiritual perfection. Though we will never be perfect, the goal is the "reaching for it."

"That ye may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). "To grow up into Him in all things which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). These verses give us direction no matter where we are in our spiritual lives:

How do we progress in our spiritual life?
  1. Prayer: "Man ought to always pray and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). Pray with your heart, and feelings. Joyfully devote yourself to special periods of prayer, particularly if you have a special concern such as the one at present.



  2. Fast: St Paul said, "In fasting often" (II Corinthians 11:27). Follow the church fasts with joy. Fast when life presents you with a problem.



  3. Communion: "He that eats My flesh and drinks My blood dwells in Me and I in him" (John 6:56). Partake of the church mysteries. Go for Confession often.


  4. Read the Holy Bible: "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you" (Colossians 3:16). Live according to what you read.



  5. Spiritual exercise: Self-control and all that comes with it including controlling your senses, thoughts, and tongue. These find a good testing ground at and outside home.



  6. Spiritual virtues: love, humility, endurance, forgiveness and sacrifice are the first of many others. Do we have the fruit of the spirit as St Paul tells us? "...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." We have to develop these virtues in our daily life.
In order to grow in our spiritual life, we have to live and practice all of the above, always examining and evaluating our spiritual life to see whether we are still babies in our spiritual life needing just milk for spiritual food or whether  we are growing to be strong sons of God, in His likeness. This growth process does not happen between day and night; it is a lifetime process.

Pray to the Lord for guidance. Seek to make your spiritual life all that it should be and you will be easily able to recognize the will of God.

There is a saying that goes like this:

Prayer should be the key of the morning and the lock of the night. "It is good to praise the Lord...to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night" (Psalm 92:1-2).
Home | Ask A Question | Search Q&A