Doing God’s will is a choice. That is made clear by Jesus’ statement, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17 NIV).
Note the first part of that statement: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will.” It helps you to understand that you can make a choice in your life to do God’s will.
It is not a one-time decision alone. But it is a choice that has to be made again and again. These are choices that strengthen your decision to do God’s will.
For example, it is God’s will for a Christian to live a holy life and flee sexual immorality: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV). Job, in accordance with this principle decided that he will not look lustfully at a girl (Job 31:1).
But those who have been tempted in this area know that a one-time decision alone does not help. A person has to choose not to sin each time he is tempted.
So every time a temptation comes in, that man has to remember his decision to lead a holy life. Through each act of saying “NO” to a specific temptation, he supports and strengthens his decision to lead a holy life.
Thus he makes a choice to do God’s will each time he says “no” to, say, lust. So it is clear that doing God’s will involves a series of continuous choices to do right.
In this light, examine Jesus’ statement: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38 NIV). It is interesting to note that Jesus also had to choose the right decision each time He was offered a different option.
For example, when Peter tried to turn Jesus away from the suffering of the cross, Jesus rebuked Peter and chose the cross (Ref. Matthew 16:23).
And at the Garden of Gethsemane, even though He was in intense agony, He chose to drink the cup of the suffering of the cross and obey His Father’s will (Ref. Matthew 26:39, 42, 44).
Thus, even for Jesus, doing God’s will required a continuous choice in life.
Summary: Doing God’s will is first a decision and then a series of continuous choices to do so.
Table of Contents
Lessons of God’s Will from the Life of Jesus
1. Choices Jesus Made
2. Peace Jesus Enjoyed
3. Jesus Pleased God
4. Jesus was Purpose-Driven
5. Jesus’ Sense of Timing
6. Higher Priorities Jesus Had
7. Christ’s Perseverance