Devotional: By the Will of God

By the Will of God

In four of Paul's letters to the churches, he opened with this greeting: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God..." (2 Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, and 2 Timothy 1:1). Whereas we sign letters today with our name and position at the end, Paul did so at the beginning of his letters. This was the custom of that era.

I am intrigued by Paul's humble confidence. Actually, it inspires me. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God..." I have to ask myself if I am as secure in my calling as he seemed to be. Can I say with as much assurance, "Daphne, a writer of Jesus Christ by the will of God..."? If I can't, I must pause and ask why?

Paul knew who he was in Christ and he was confident his calling was the will of God. The word "will" is most often used as a verb to describe a future time. For example, "When will you clean your room?" But in this context, it is used as a noun to describe intentional reasoning. When we speak of the "will of God" we are referring to desire or inclination; something that somebody wants to happen. We know God's Word is also His will, but when it comes to our specific callings, how do we become confident of His will for our lives? How did Paul know and become assured his apostleship was the will of God?

In scripture, God's will refers to submission or surrender. The psalmist said, "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). The first step to finding God's will is in applying His Word to your life. We will not discover His plans and purposes for us if we rebel and reject the basic principles of His Word. We must decide that it is a delight to do God's will. I realize this is not always an easy task, but my confession will help the process. I can't complain and whine all the time about how hard it is to put my flesh under, and then in the same breath cry out to God about His will for my life. In another passage, the psalmist said, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness" (Psalm 143:10). God has no problem with us asking for His help. I believe He desires for us to do so. Often the scriptures He says to us, "Ask..."

Jesus is a great example. He said to God, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This was Jesus' surrender and submission to the plan of God. He never pushed His own will, but instead sought the will of God for His life and ministry. He said, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5:30). Regardless of His feelings, Jesus always submitted Himself to God. The Garden of Gethsemene is the best example of submission to the will of God. In anguish, yet in perfect desire for God's plan to be fulfilled, Jesus cried out, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

Paul may have sounded confident in his letters, but discovering God's will for our lives comes with a price as we can see in the life of Jesus also. The question must be asked, "How badly do you want to know and do the will of God in your life?" I hope, like me, you can answer without hesitation. If so, there are a few key elements we need to recognize. First of all, desiring to do God's will seals and establishes our relationship with Him. Jesus said, "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). The blood of Jesus Christ brought us into the family of God, but doing the will of God determines the depth of the relationship.

Secondly, in our determination to seek and do God's will there must be transformation. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). It is impossible to hold on to ignorance and walk in the divine plan of God's will and purpose for our lives. And lastly, in seeking His will we must do it whole-heartedly. Whatever you do, do it "...not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6).

In our examples, we find Paul and Jesus applied each of these principles to their life. They desired a relationship with God above all others. They were determined to be changed into His image and reflect Him to a lost and dying world. And whether they were alone or in a crowd, or whether they were popular or shunned, they pursued God's will with their whole heart.

Maybe Paul's greeting and introduction of himself in his letters was a statement of faith. Maybe like us he secretly struggled with declaring who he was and what he was called to do for God. But nonetheless, he stated more than once what his purpose was - whether by faith or by confidence. We too need to begin to declare our dreams, our desires, and when discovered, our life-purpose in Christ. Each of us has a gift, a calling, and a plan mapped out for our lives. The journey is in the discovery of His will. The joy is in the fulfillment of His will.

So confidently remember, "The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17).