So many Christians are still lost, they do not know what the Father they call God desires for their life. God is strong, stern, and sets standards for His children. But, He is also loving, kind, generous, and blesses those who love Him for thousands of generations.
Jesus knew this about His Father so it was not hard for Him to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as [it is] in heaven. – Mat 6:10 Even when Jesus was under some of the worst physical, emotional, and spiritual stress any human could endure, He prayed, “Your will be done.”
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” – Mat 26:42
Most of us won’t pray God’s will in a flourishing season of our lives, let alone a season of trial and tribulation with no end in sight that doesn’t involve death. Jesus faced this type of trial, one that He knew would have to end in a tormenting and humiliating death. Humility in action is laying your life down for the Father’s will.
The only way to know what God’s will is in any situation is to know Him through His word. While spiritual “God encounters” are wonderful experiences, they cannot sustain you in your walk with Jesus Christ. The word of God is the only thing that can permanently transform a person’s thinking and change their behavior. The word infused with understanding, grace, and power from the Holy Spirit is a solid foundation by which to live by. The word of God is the instruction book for life and is the only thing capable of dividing the soul from spirit, joint and marrow, and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). To know the will of God begins by knowing what He says about life.
The Psalmist loved the law and precepts of God because He knew that they could bring him prosperity and life when he lived by them. When God gave His law to Moses for the people, He said I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; - Deu 30:19
Most people understand that there are consequences to their actions, but few think it through before making unhealthy or sinful choices.
What is God’s Will?
Perhaps you do not know what God’s will is because you haven’t understood it in the scriptures, have not read it for yourself, or have not been taught it. The Apostle Paul makes it pretty clear in his letter to the church in Ephesus.
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, - Eph 1:4-11 NKJV
So, let’s break these scriptures down to the simplicity of the gospel.
· God wills that we should be holy and without blame
· It was God’s good pleasure to plan ahead to adopt us as sons and daughters through His Son’s life
· God’s will for us is that we receive redemption, the forgiveness of sins, through the blood of Jesus Christ
· God’s will is that we remain in His grace until His Son returns to redeem everything.
Another place we can find out more about God’s will is in the book of Romans. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Rom 12:1-2
God wills that:
· We are present our bodies as a living sacrifice through a life of holiness.
· We are not to be like the world, but our minds are to be made new (renewed) so we can prove God's perfect and acceptable will.
· That we stay abstain from sexual immorality (1Th 4:3)
· That we give thanks in everything (1Th 5:18)
· We do good so that we can silence the ignorance of foolish men (1Pe 2:15)
We are not to be unwise, but we are to understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph 5:17). When we know God, we know His heart towards humanity. When we know Him, we cannot help but love Him, and when we love Him, we keep His commands.
Jesus said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or [whether] I speak on My own [authority]. – Jn 7:16-17 and “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” – Mat 12:50
If we consider ourselves Christ-followers, then we will do as Jesus commanded. We will pick up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow Him. This lifestyle is not as difficult as one might think. It simply begins with humility and love. Love conquers all things. Perfect love cast out all fear. Love is the key that unlocks obedience to the Father.
16 For all that [is] in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. – 1Jo 2:16-17
Love proves your salvation. To prove means to deem worthy. When John preached repentance before Jesus arrived on the scene, he said: “Therefore fear fruits worthy of repentance.” Lk 3:8 He then went on to say that the ax will be laid to the root of the trees and every tree (that which was considered righteous) that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
There is to be a result of our life in Christ. We repent and renounce the old life we once lived that was according to our own will and contrary to the will of God. Once we do this, our lives will begin to look more like Jesus and reflect the love of God to those around us; we will be compelled to do good.
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, not my will be done but Your will be done. Help that be the cry of my heart from this day forth. I know it has not always been Your will in the past, as my desire to have my way has often overcome the desire of being obedient to Your will. I desire to change that today, Holy Spirit make me a willing vessel to lay my life down as Jesus asked me to do and love the Lord my God with all my heart, my soul, and my strength. Lord keep me in Your will so I won’t be in Your way.In Jesus name, Amen