Understanding the Will of God (Based on Matthew.7:21)

Jesus sat on the mountain side probably for hours teaching his disciples and all who cared to listen in their numbers. As he brought his long and insightful sermon to a close, he told them “It is good you call me ‘Lord’ but be aware that only those who do what my Father wants (or His will or command) will have access in to His kingdom.”¹ I thought one of the listeners would ask him, “Teacher, what does your Father want?” But no one did (at least, as recorded by Matthew)

Paul who claimed to be taught his message directly by Christ instructed the Ephesians “not to be foolish but to understand what the will of God is or what God wants”². Question is: if you need to do what God wants to be acceptable into His kingdom and if Paul says wisdom is understanding what God wants, What will you say the will of God is or what will you say God wants?

When we talk about the will of God, it could usually mean either of two things: The will of God for each individual (for example Paul being an Apostle by the will of God) and the revealed will of God as written in the scriptures. Most certainly what Jesus said in respect to what God wants is not secret but the revealed will of God. What does God wants that is revealed in the scriptures? What should Christians know that also determines our destination and the state of our wisdom?

We understand that Jesus did not come by his own decision or by that of Mary and Joseph, but according to the desire and plan of God. His coming was for him to take the place of our wrong so that we may be free from the plague of this age. This was the will of God for Jesus when God sent him into the world³. This forms the basis of what God wants from us: for everyone who sees the Son and has faith in him may have everlasting life and he will be raised up on the last day⁴.

We have read the 16^th verse of the 3^rd chapter in the book of John so much we forget its importance. There, it was clear that anyone who believes in Jesus is given eternal life and such will not perish. Our faith is important to get us into the kingdom. Many of us understand and know well that its required for us to put our faith in God to have a right standing (righteousness) before Him.

Because of the finished work of the cross, we can boldly stand before the Father spotless (which is the result of the cleansing blood of the Son). This is first necessary. Since righteousness is required by God for man to walk with Him, and the way to be righteous is by faith in Jesus⁵, thus God’s will is first that anyone who must come to him must have faith or believe in His Son. Faith is first and important, but it is not ultimate.

A second and equally important thing God wants is for you to live a pure life-sanctification⁶. After anyone has put his trust in Jesus as savior, that is not the end to his journey. He is required as long as he lives to learn to live a pure life. Paul charged the Roman Church to consecrate themselves to God which was what God desired they do⁷.

Explaining what it meant to live a pure or devoted or consecrated life to the Thessalonians, he told them to keep themselves from sexual promiscuity; to know how to control or manage their body in purity and honour- not to be used in the passion of lust like the men of this world who are ignorant of God and have no knowledge of His will; and that they don’t make attempts to get the better of their brothers (or anyone) in business. This is because it is God’s purpose that our way of life may not be unclean but holy⁸. It’s interesting to discover the writer of Hebrews tells us to live peacefully with everyone and to live holy lives because if we don’t, we will NOT SEE the Lord⁹. Therefore what God wants or desires from us is to live pure and holy lives.

What do you think about giving thanks? Well, it’s so important too God wants us to do it¹⁰. We are to give thanks to God not only when things are running smooth but also when we don’t understand what God is up to with the things that happen around us. He delights in it when we trust Him enough to believe He’s working in us and through us and then thank Him (even when it’s not working well). Thank Him in all things not because for example they are bad when they really are bad situations, but because you trust that He has the best at heart for you.

Jesus said about those who do the will of God: they are his brothers and sisters and mother¹¹. John told his audience: anyone who does the will of God will live forever¹². Is the kingdom of God a target for you? Do you want to be considered wise? Do you want to live forever and have Jesus as your sibling? Then you know what to do now, simply do the things the Father wants: believe in the Son He gave, live a devote life and well up with thanksgiving. Selah!

REFERENCES:

¹Matthew.7:21; ²Ephesians.5:17; ³Galatians.1:4; ⁴John.6:40; ⁵Romans.1:17; ⁶1Thessalonians.4:3; ⁷Romans.12:1; ⁸1Thessalonians.4:3-7; ⁹Hebrews.12:14; ¹⁰1Thessalonians.5:18; ¹¹Matthew.12:50, Mark.3:35; ¹²1John.2:17