“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” James 4:17
Category: Doing God’s Will (Page 1 of 12)
In 2013, someone I was trying to study with mentioned Ecclesiastes 7 and how they could not grasp how going to a funeral is better than going to a party, or that the day of death is better than the day of birth. At the time, I was unfamiliar with these verses, so I went home, researched, studied, and wrote a short synopsis, which we later reviewed together.
This effort was one of the best exercises I could’ve done. Why? Because this study helped us both understand the verses in chapter 7 more fully, and studying draws us closer to God.
Since this experience, I’ve studied Ecclesiastes several times and have found it to be full of good food for thought. Most scholars attribute the book of Ecclesiastes to Solomon’s wisdom. As noted in my synopsis, in these verses, Solomon seems focused on what is good for the soul.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 ESV
God First!
Jesus walked this earth and walked the walk of doing God’s will.
- Jesus: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (in Matt. 26:39)
- Jesus: “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” (in Matt. 26:42)
In agony, Jesus prayed so fervently that His sweat became like blood, yet doing His Father’s will was more important to Jesus than his own wants. Jesus was determined to do God’s will above His own. (see Luke 22:39-46)
In these passages, we get to see into the heart of God. We get a glimpse of love beyond our imagination. We get to see Jesus’s incredible love for us and for God (His Father). Jesus, while on earth, demonstrated the love for God and mankind that we should all strive to mimic. To acquire the love of Jesus, we must fervently strive to do everything according to God’s will, not ours. We must seek never to add to or take away from God-Breathed Scripture. In (John 1:1-14) we find Jesus was with God from the beginning, from the creation… “all things were made through Him.” Jesus’s life on earth, His death, and resurrection gives us every reason to believe, every reason to have hope, and every reason to follow Jesus in obedient faith. Doing God’s will according to God’s will is the difference between knowing you are saved and hoping you are saved.
Yep, it’s serious! We don’t want to be part of the many mentioned in Matthew 7:22 because we did things our way and decided it would be ok with God, that’s not what Jesus did:
” Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:22-24
- 1 John 5:13
- John 14:15
- Romans 1:5
- Hebrews 11:8
- Luke 6:46
God First!
Sometimes, when we try to do good and help others, people will take advantage of our kindness and abuse our love. As a result, we can become disappointed and discouraged; we can feel knocked down and ridiculed, and start questioning our efforts. Don’t. When this happens, shake the dust from your feet and move forward. Many appreciate and need your efforts. The best “Good” we can do is to represent and share Christ’s message through our words, example, and efforts, so that others may see Christ in us and want to know how they can obtain the peace and confidence of eternal salvation we have found through following Christ and keeping His commandments.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
- Colossians 1:27
- Hebrews 11:1
- James 5:20
- Matthew 10:14
- Matthew 5:16
- 1 Timothy 4:12
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
God First!
The Bible is the Christian’s training ground, our means of staying the course. In it, we find the power of God, hope beyond measure, our daily armor, our weapon of truth, our shield of faith, our protection from Satan, and our only pathway to eternal life with our creator; the Bible is our connection to God’s will for us, our strength for endurance, and our means for sharing the message of Christ with everyone.
The study of God’s Word is our preparation, sharing God’s Word is our exercise, and the ability to defend God’s Word is our duty as soldiers of Christ.
The Marines’ motto is Semper Fidelis, which means “always faithful” or “always loyal.” Let’s be Marines for God; let us always be faithful and always be loyal. In “ALL” circumstances, let us take up the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. “Put on the whole armor of God”
Ephesians 6:10-20
If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
1 Peter 3:15
God First!
When good hearts and minds succumb to lies and deceit, guilt arises, and it weighs heavily on the heart and mind. Choosing to hide truths rather than addressing them honestly places unnecessary burdens on us. Burdens of sin that allow Satan to set up residence and dwell in our minds. For example, if we lie or deceive someone (like a spouse), we carry that unresolved lie in our hearts daily. Rather than confess, we may tell ourselves more lies, like:
- • No real harm done
- • It’s better if they don’t know.
- • Why hurt them with the truth?
However, in doing so, we seal that burden of guilt within our hearts, we entrap our minds and souls with the lie. God knows the deception we carry, and if we cover up rather than confess to our loved ones, asking their forgiveness as well as God’s, we may carry that burden to our death and, maybe, add to our deceit by telling multiple lies over many years in our attempt to keep it hidden. I hope no one carries such a burden, but know some do. We may fear our loved ones’ response, but do we really think living with the lie or lies is better? Is our relationship with our loved ones and God all it can be when we carry these lies in our hearts and minds? Do we not know we will be held accountable by God?
Our cover-up gives Satan permanent residence in our minds, and as just stated
It’s not hidden from God!
God knows the truth and has always told us to speak it. God hates lies!
When we fess up, confess, ask forgiveness, and repent, we simultaneously kick Satan to the curb, kicking him out of that permanent dwelling we’ve furnished him in our mind.
Don’t let Satan settle in; save yourself with honesty, pray, tell the truth, face the consequences, and stop Satan from building a mansion in your mind as one lie leads to two, then three, then four, and many more. No matter how difficult it is, tell the truth that God may purify, heal, and forgive. Don’t carry the weight of those lies, sins, and burdens into judgment; they squelch the joy in this life and endanger the soul.
- John 8:34 – slave to sin
- James 5:16 – confess.
- Matthew 12:43-45 unclean spirits
- Philippians 4:8-9 rethink
- Romans 1:28-32
- John 8:32 – truth
- Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconcile
God First!
Occasionally, we can become disheartened and discouraged when things happen that are out of our control. Satan jumps on these opportunities to tempt us; he wants us to throw our hands up in the air, give up, stop trying, sulk, become apathetic, go back to old ways, or try unexplored ways of living like the world. Satan wants us to believe his LIE that a life with little or no time for God is a life of fun, satisfaction, and prosperity, and we deserve it.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Satan wants us to believe God does not mean what He says. That somehow, there is a way around being held accountable, there is some explanation we can give, and Jesus will say, “Oh, in that case, come on into heaven, ” but that is not what we find in Scripture; we find God tells and gives us example after example that there are serious consequences for not doing things God’s way. By choosing to do things our way, we exclude God; yet by choosing God’s way, we can have a joy-filled life that ultimately rewards us with eternal life with God.
God wants us to lean on Him, cast our burdens on Him, and trust in Him, His Word, and His promises of eternal life. He wants us to stay the course laid out for us in His Holy Word. After all, it is written for our benefit—NO REWRITING TO OUR DESIRES.
God gave us the freedom to choose; follow Christ or the world.
Sometimes we do trudge through difficult times, but if we are “In Christ,” we don’t have to do so alone; through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided a way for each of those in Christ to approach His throne through humble prayer, asking for His help in Jesus name, and He will hear our prayers.
By staying God’s course, we become a light to those around us: Family, friends, children, grandchildren, and even strangers. So, when we feel disheartened or discouraged, and those temptations try to settle in, recognize who they are from, push them aside, and pray. Remember, you are loved, and you set an example to someone who loves you! Our choices will determine our souls’ eternity, and our example may have a deep impact on the choices of those we love, family, friends, and children.
- 1st Peter 5:7-8
- Psalm 55:22
- James 5:14–16
- John 14:15
- John 3:16
- James 4:10
God First!
God gave us boundaries like a fence to protect us; when we push through them, we become victims.
- “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Don’t become a victim. learn and adopt God’s ways from His Word, put your faith in Jesus, keep His commandments, and trust in God, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17
- Philippians 3:14
- Psalm 46:1
- Psalm 91:1–2
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
- 1 John 5:18
- Matthew 6:25-26. 25
- Matthew 6:32-33. 32
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-25
God First!
Jesus is not our equal; He is God.
God’s love is NOT an issuance of permission slips to treat “God the Son” or “God the Father” as our equals. God’s Love is extended by grace, not to be abused.
According to Scripture, Jesus is the Word… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)
Jesus is our Messiah, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and we should treat Him with humble reverence. Jesus is Holy (John 4:26, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 19:16).
We should be mindful that when we use language without thought to its meaning, like” OMG” or exclaiming terms like “JESUS CHRIST!” and other derivatives, we disrespect our Creator and Savior. We are mistreating the Almighty with our lips. Doing so is not harmless, and according to God’s Word, we will be held accountable for taking God’s name in vain. His name is Holy.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
I cringe when I hear or see such terms being used by anyone, but especially those who claim to love God.
One who loves God should understand what God did for us, how Christ suffered for us, and that this knowledge would make one’s heart extremely conscientious with gratitude and respect. That our heart, soul, and mind would “WANT” to make every effort to treat our Heavenly Creators with the utmost reverence by not using Their name lightly.
Christians should show love, appreciation, and respect with every word and action we take. We are to be an example to the world of Christ-like love, which includes displaying our ultimate respect to the Godhead.
Colossians 2:9
Matthew 12:36-37
Psalm 111:9
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 4:22-24
2 Timothy 1:9-10
Mark 12:29-33
Psalm 119:9
Romans 6:1-23
James 3:9-10
God First!
Though this knockout rose bush is gone now, it has a story. It was given to us several years ago by our neighbors. I set it on the back porch, intending to plant it, then forgot about it for almost two years. At that point, it looked like sticks in a bucket; I almost threw it away. Instead, I made the effort and planted it. God provided it with incredible growth, turning what was seemingly dead into a beautiful, thriving bush full of roses that we enjoyed for several years.
I’ve seen and experienced God’s Word provide the same incredible increase in people.
It’s an amazing sight to see when someone, once consumed by their own desires, puts on Christ and puts God first in their lives. God then provides growth, and they blossom into beautiful, caring followers of Christ.
Our God is an Awesome God!
- Psalm 92:12-14
- Isaiah 55:10-11
- Ephesians 2:4-5
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
God First!
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