Doing God’s Will
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
From this scripture, we learn the one that does the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom. Jesus gave them this answer: Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.(John 5:19) Jesus did only what he saw the Father do and we do what Christ tells us through the Spirit. We strive to hear the Lord through the Spirit by knowing the Word and being still inside, but sometimes it may difficult to hear the Lord’s will.
In our hearts we desire to do God’s will, but we cannot perfectly obey his will while we live in this flesh. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) Our hearts lead us to serve for the Lord, and we know it will be pleasing to the Lord because we can justify it from scripture. But a good habit is to always call on the Lord in prayer and tell him where our heart has led us to serve him.
About seven years ago, I joined a prison ministry that meet one weekend per month to prepare for a three day ministry in prison. I was already teaching a weekly Bible class at the local prison, but I added this prison ministry. The monthly meetings preparing for this three day ministry, caused me to miss a prayer breakfast that I had been attending for years. I missed being at the breakfast. Now I begin to pray that I was doing God’s will and ask him give me a sign to reveal his answer. Two days before I was to participate in the three day prison ministry I got sick, running a fever for three days. I couldn’t go to prison ministry and three days later I had fully recovered. I took this as an answer from the Lord, and immediately a second weekly class opened up at the local prison.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Our heart will lead us and the Lord will guide our steps. If it his will, things will work out well and if not, things will work out with a struggle. With me it started when I missed the prayer breakfast, but I didn’t listen and the Lord took more drastic measures. Whatever we do in serving the Lord, it always best to pray each day with our agenda and pray that we are doing God’s will.. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Matthew 7:21 can make us fearful about doing the will of the Father. But we need not fear, we need to be motivated to do the Father’s will and pray that he opens doors for us. If our hearts have a desire, then we pray for the Lord’s approval. Show me your ways, Lord teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)
Today seek to do the Lord’s will, because seeking his will shows a willing heart. The Lord will guide your steps according to his will, and be attentive for his guidance.
Prayer: Lord I seek to do your will and pray for your guidance in serving you. Guide me to pray every morning that I live my day according to your will, and help me to listen intently to the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen