March 30, 2008
By Jeremy J. Main
It is regrettable that some are willing to profess the name of the Lord but are nevertheless unwilling to do the will of the Lord (c.f. Matt. 7:21-23). The sayings of Jesus are vital because they not only apply to entering the kingdom on earth, but also of entering the heavenly kingdom above. One cannot enter either without first obeying God. Our conduct should not be as men-pleasers, but as God-pleasers. We must do “the will of God from the heart” (Eph. 6:6 NKJV).
Wayne Jackson in his book, Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy, defined “Will of God.” He wrote, “Jehovah’s will is that which is best for humanity, and which he requires that we implement in our lives…The objective will of God has been made known through the revelation of the Scriptures” (191-192).
A Christian is a member of God’s family. Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). By doing the will of God, we are the spiritual children of God. Jesus was close to His fleshly mother, but those who do the will of God are just as close to Him as her. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, some obeyed the will of God. However, people such as the Pharisees and lawyers chose to reject the “will of God” (Luke 7:29-30).
The Holy Spirit describes the will of God as being “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). It is good because it is of God. It contains God’s plan of salvation. For the believer it is acceptable because it is what is best for humanity and what is well pleasing to God. The Bible is perfect in that it is the complete and final revelation of God to man (cf. 1 Cor. 13:10; Jude 1:3). It is worthy of imitation that we pray for our brethren to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12). Paul wrote concerning God’s will: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).
Before we were born again, we did the will of men. Now as Christians we live to do God’s will (cf. 1 Pet. 4:1-5). The world and its lusts are temporary. Notwithstanding, he who keeps on doing the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17). Remember to have endurance in keeping His will, especially in times of trouble (Heb. 10:36).
The Christians at Thessalonica were told how they “ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thess. 4:1). These commandments were given through the Lord Jesus. Paul wrote: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3). He continued by listing the command to abstain from fornication. He concluded, “Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God” (1 Thess. 4:8).
We learn how to please God by a study of His word. By faithful obedience to the gospel, the Lord adds us to His church. By living a faithful life, our reward will be eternal life in heaven.
Work Cited:
Jackson, Wayne. Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy – A Practical Handbook. Stockton: Courier Publications, 2002.