God’s Will, Not Ours

Another source of tension is trying to force our will to be done instead of the Lord’s (Mat 6:10). If you are anything like me, you get up first thing in the morning, ready to get started on the day you have planned for yourself. I usually have a list of things that I want to get done, and when things don’t go my way, I can get stressed and maybe even anxious.

While we serve the Lord out of love, with a glad heart and thanksgiving, we also equally recognize the authority of Christ as our “Lord” and “King” (Mat 12:8; 22:44; Joh 1:49; 18:37; Luk 6:46; Act 2:34–35; 10:36; 15:11; 17:24; Rom 10:12; 1Ti 1:17; 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16; cf. Eph 1:20–21; Heb 2:8; Rom 14:11; Php 2:9–11; Rev 20:11–15)—for He created us and “redeemed” us1 from slavery to sin, Satan, and death.2 When we come to Christ, we give (surrender) our life to Him to do with as He pleases—and we have a duty to God. Therefore, we willingly place ourselves under His command, and we choose to be obedient to Christ. We are actually offering (and living) our lives now as a sacrifice to God (1Th 4:1), just as Jesus did for us (Eph 5:2), and we are to give Him our very best (Exo 34:26; Deu 18:4; Neh 10:34).

We further read in Scripture that a Christian is described as a “bond-servant” (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Rev 15:3; cf. Act 4:29; 16:17; 2Co 4:5; Php 1:1; Rev 1:1; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6), “slave” (see Rom 6:22; 1Pe 2:16; Gal 4:1–7), and “servant” (see Mat 20:26; 23:11; Mar 9:35; Luk 16:13; 2Co 6:4; Col 1:7; 4:7; 1Ti 4:6; Rev 19:10; 22:9; cf. Mat 4:10; 6:24; Luk 1:74; 4:8; 16:13; Act 7:7; 24:14; 27:23; Rom 1:9; 7:6; Col 3:23–24; 1Th 1:9; Heb 9:14; Rev 7:15; 22:3) of God and Christ. We are to be like Christ, emulating Him in all things and following His example (Mat 5:48). Following Christ takes committed, selfless action in obedience,3 not just idle words of profession.

Following Christ means one must daily “deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (see Mat 16:24; Mar 8:34; Luk 9:23), seeking God’s will instead of one’s own will (Mat 6:10; Eph 1:11; Col 1:9; Heb 13:21; 1Jn 5:14; Act 21:14; cf. Jas 4:15; 1Co 4:19; Mat 26:42). The apostle Paul describes this as “[putting] on the new self” (i.e., “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”; see Col 3:1–17; Eph 4:17–32; Rom 13:12–14).

Now, I admit this chapter is one of the harder areas to get right because sometimes we just don’t know what the will of the Lord is in a particular situation. It’s very hard to know the right balance between doing everything we can (Pro 6:6–9; 26:13–16; 30:25) while also “waiting on the Lord” (see Psa 27:14; 39:7, 34; 130:5; Pro 20:22; Isa 8:17; 40:31) without trying to force our will (and our timing4) to be done. It’s best to take things before the Lord in prayer when uncertain.

However, there are some steps we can take to help ensure we are in God’s will:

• Don’t focus (and worry) about building bigger barns here on earth, but instead store up our treasure in heaven (Luk 12:13–21; Mat 6:19–24).5
• Live in full expectation of Jesus returning today (Act 1:11; 22:6, 11; 26:13; Mat 16:27; 25:31–46; 1Th 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:1–17; 2Th 1:6–10; 2:1, 8; Jud 14–15, 24–25; Joh 14:3, 23; Heb 9:28; 1Jn 3:2; 1Ti 6:16; Tit 2:13; Rev 1:7; 8:1; 15:8; 22:12, 20). This helps keep our priorities correct.
• Be a kingdom builder for the Lord instead of for ourselves. One of the main “fruits”6 of a Christian is leading others to salvation and truth in Christ. We do this either through our example or by sharing and teaching/preaching the “good news” of the Gospel (Luk 2:10; Act 8:12; 13:32; Rom 10:15–16; Heb 4:2, 6) with those who are lost (Mar 16:15; Mat 4:23; 9:35; 28:19–20; Luk 8:1, 39; Act 4:2; 8:5; 16:17; 17:3, 19; 20:27; 21:13; Rom 10:14–17; 1Co 2:1; Eph 6:19–20). In fact, the greatest honor one can have in this world is to be called an “ambassador” for Almighty God and His Christ Jesus (see 2Co 5:20; Eph 6:20). As it is written: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (see Rom 1:16).6a
• Seek to glorify God’s name, not ours (Joh 3:30).
• Seek to love and serve others more (Php 2:4; Jas 2:15–16).
• Make sure we are obedient to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles; Joh 14:15).7
• Seek godly wisdom via prayer on how to proceed with our plans (Jas 1:5–6).
• Express any questions or doubts about all this to God in prayer (Act 1:14; Eph 6:18; Php 4:6–7; Col 4:2; 1Pe 3:12; 4:7; Jas 5:16; 1Ti 2:1, 8; 1Th 5:17; Jud 20; Rev 8:4), fully knowing that He hears you (1Jn 5:14–15; 1Pe 3:12; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15).
• Read about and study the selfless life and obedience of Jesus (Php 2:8; Mat 26:42).

When one is in and doing God’s will, anxiety should be greatly reduced.

CHAPTER PRAYER

Father in heaven, thank You for all that You have provided and for Your amazing patience with me, especially when I did not know You but also now as I try to walk in obedience to Your commandments. Father, I admit I don’t always know Your will in certain situations. As You are fully aware, life can be complicated and confusing down here on earth. Father, help me know what Your will is at all times and guide me to find the right balance between being an active worker in Your kingdom who loves and serves others while also waiting on You when that is called for.

Help me to make sure I’m not overly focusing on storing up the treasures of this world while also being prudent in planning and providing for my family and loved ones, as I’m instructed to by Your Word. I admit that this is a difficult area in which to find the right balance, so I pray for guidance.

Father, please further help me to be an obedient child of Yours, as Jesus was in all things and at all times. Grant me the necessary strength by Your Spirit to do that. Remind me to read, study, and meditate on Your Word each day so I can fully understand Jesus’ commandments, as I know that following them is for my good and will also help ensure that I’m in Your will.

And lastly, Father, please grant me the necessary wisdom to do all these things for Your glory. May this prayer find favor in Your sight. It is through Christ as mediator that I approach the throne and offer this prayer. Amen.