Doing the Will of God

Part 1 

Over the past two weeks we have seen the importance for those who are followers of Jesus Christ to live their lives completely surrendered to God’s will – His good, acceptable, and perfect will.  In doing so we discover the peace that surpasses all comprehension because we are willingly and joyfully concurring that God is sovereign and in control, causing all things to work together for good.  This is what it means to trust – to rest – in Him. 

Now I would like to switch gears slightly and spend the next several weeks focusing on our doing the will of God.  We will spend the next two weeks looking at two individuals from Scripture who did the will of God, and in the following weeks we will look specifically at those things which the Word of God clearly tells us to be God’s will for our lives.  Today let us begin with the One who not only did God’s will while here on earth but also fulfilled God’s eternal will for everyone who believes in Him. 

Throughout the gospels Jesus makes it very clear that He had come to do the Father’s will.  Just consider these statements that Jesus made in the gospel of John: 

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.”  (4:34)

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just,

because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”  (5:30)

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him

who sent Me.”  (6:38) 

Jesus’ time here on earth was spent wisely.  He didn’t wander around trying to find meaning and purpose in life.  He didn’t waste time on frivolous and meaningless activities.  He knew why He was here.  And because He knew why He was here He was able to keep focused, making every moment count for the kingdom of God.  Some may object and say, “Well sure, Jesus made every moment count and lived with purpose because He was God.”  Yes He was fully God, but let us not forget that He was also fully man.  Jesus walked here on earth, giving us an example to follow.  In His perfect humanity He was showing us God’s original plan for mankind – the ability to live and walk with the Father to bring Him glory. 

What was the Father’s will for the Son?  Why did Jesus come to earth?  Again I draw your attention to the following verses in which Jesus declares His purpose in coming: 

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:28 

“It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  Mark 2:17 

“The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.”  Luke 9:56 

“I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.”  John 12:46  

It is very clear from the above verses (and the entire counsel of God throughout Scripture) that Jesus Christ entered into our world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).  He knew His purpose here on earth was more than just to give wonderful, inspirational sayings and quotes for people to recite.  He came here as Savior of a lost and dying world – a world of people who were enslaved and ensnared by sin and destined to an eternity separated from God as a result.  Jesus knew why He was here, that is why He moved forward with confidence and determination to accomplish the Father’s will (Luke 9:51).  Though in His humanity He knew that the Father’s will for His life meant He had to suffer and die for our sins, He also surrendered completely to God’s will and, in surrendering, received the strength needed to fulfill it (Luke 22:42-43). 

Jesus knew why He came and He walked with a focused and confident determination in fulfilling the Father’s will.  There are many people who have walked the face of this earth with confidence and determination in doing something but have not accomplished what they set out to do.  We can rejoice, however, that Jesus Christ not only knew what He was here to do, but He also did it.  While hanging on the cross for our sins Jesus Himself cried out and declared “It is finished!” (John 19:30).  “It is finished!”  O child of God, let those words ring joyfully through your soul so that your heart and mind may be flooded with peace, for what Jesus Christ came to do He did, and He did it to the glory and pleasure of the Father. 

Someone once said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the Father’s “Amen” to Christ’s “It is finished!”  In the book of Romans we are told that Jesus Christ was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead (1:4).  Jesus accomplished the Father’s will and the resurrection is proof of that.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves not only that Jesus did what He came to do, but it also fulfills the Father’s eternal will for those who believe in Jesus. 

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing,

but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds

the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” 

John 6:39-40 

Let us rejoice and rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  In His finished work the Father’s eternal will is fulfilled for us and we now have the freedom and power to accomplish His daily will for our lives to His glory. 

Next week we will look at another individual who did God’s will and with many blunders yet was declared to be a man after God’s own heart.  Until then, I leave you with this Scriptural benediction: 

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep

through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

By God's Grace ~ Through God's Word ~ For God's Glory!

Chuck Long

©God’sGWG
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