“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
but
The following statement is a complete reversal of the preceding statement. The contrast is between those who put priority on temporal things versus eternal things.
he who does the will of God
Instead of doing the will of the world that is passing away, the one who habitually does the will of God will enjoy eternal things. Rather than expending love on the world, the believer in fellowship loves the Lord and His will.
John puts the “will of God” in contrast to our lust patterns and proud pretensions. The will of God is eternal in contrast to our will and our dreams. The one is material and temporal, and the other is eternal and permanent. The will of God is the best thing we can do with our lives.
1 Pe 4:2-3, 2 “…that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”
The “will of God is the true purpose for the life of the believer. Everything worthwhile revolves around the pivot of God’s will. It should be the normal activity of the Christian.
Obedience to the will of God acknowledges the necessity of the spiritual dimension to the believer’s life. It is in doing the will of God that the believer demonstrates spirituality to others.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s will for our lives is the most important standard for Christian living.
APPLICATION:
There is a vast difference between knowing the will of God and doing the will of God. However, we could not do the will of God if we did not know the will of God but knowing is not the same as doing it.
If we want to advance in a new place of employment, we must get a clear picture of the company’s vision for the future. We engage in responsibilities that will advance that vision. Similarly, when we become Christians, we find out God’s will for our lives and do it. We cannot afford to displease our Employer. He laid out His vision in a book we call the Bible so that we can ascertain His will. How can we do what we do not understand?
Eph 5:17, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
We must be willing to do God’s will with no strings attached. We cannot dicker with God nor quibble with Him about His will. We accept His will as absolute, sight unseen. “I will do His will whatever the cost. God helping me, I will do whatever it takes.”
Jn 7:17, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.”
We cannot bargain with God’s will. We have no basis for doing that. We cannot debate with God about His will. No, we come to the place where we accept His will with no strings attached. You may say, “I think I would like a one month free trial. If I like God’s will, I will buy into it. If will own it if I approve of it.” No, we cannot come to the will of God that way. We come to it with no qualifications.
God desires that we fill our minds with His will. It is one thing to know a little of the will of God, but it is another thing to know His will fully. If we know His will wholly, then we can set our sail accordingly. God will sweep us along in His plan and program. That gives God great delight, and it will give us delight.
Co 1:9, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…”
We prove the will of God in our lives by yielding our bodies to do what He wants. It is possible to “prove” the will of God. We prove the will of God just as we prove the answer to a problem in algebra. We can prove God’s will so that we know for sure that we are in God’s will.
Ro 12:1-2, 1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And 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.”
Jesus did the will of God in Gethsemane (Mt 26:39). He prayed that prayer in the greatest crisis of His life. Can you accept the will of God when your baby is dying or when you are about to undergo surgery? There is something more important than our personal welfare – the will of God.
Do you have to be in control of everything in your life? Do you have to be at the steering wheel of your life?
1 Pe 4:2, “…that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
Ps 40:8, “I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
