Doing God's Will

June 12, 2016

Devotions:

      “"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.”  John‬ ‭5:30‬ ‭NASB‬‬

        “and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment."  Philippians‬ ‭1:14-17‬ ‭NASB‬‬

      Our motive and attitude determine how clearly we hear from God and therefore how much we receive. This is not how much God gives. If we are pursuing our own desires and our own plan then we are not open to God's plan for us. When we pursue our own plan and not God's plan we are open to deception. The only enemy is determined to destroy you. God's desire is to protect you. Paul knew people who were preaching the gospel from wrong motives, selfish ambitions, envy and strife.

      Jesus lived on the earth to do the will of His Father and our Father.  Jesus is our example. It is the Spirit of Christ that recreated us. We have His nature and His desire. If we override God's desire within us then we will fail. We need to be committed to hear from God and to do His will. All of this comes from our love for Him and that is created as we understanding of His love for us. We live to do His will. This is the only thing of eternal value, to do the will of God.