THE FATHER'S (GOD) WILL FOR HIS CHILDREN

The Bible clearly shows  that the Sovereign God's primary purpose for creating  humanity is to increase his spiritual family and kingdom. Moreover, God must sometimes intervene in human affairs in order to accomplish this purpose.Although most of the Father's elect children believe that he and his son Jesus Christ are  actively involved in human affairs, many are uncertain of exactly what his specific purpose (his will) is for their life, others  believe that everything (whether good or bad) that happens in their life is the result of God's intervention.Does the  Sovereign God of all that exists personally micro-manage the lives of his elect children and every human on earth, or is most of  what happens in the lives of his elect   children and the world dictated by time and chance or decisions we

make ourselves?In order to answer these questions, we must know and understand God's will as it relates to the following areas of life:
*.Things that happen in the normal course of events

*.Things that happen because of God's intervention in human affairs
*.Things that happen because of the elect's communication with God the Father
 *.The purpose and responsibility of being one of the Father's elect children.

PREDESTINED TO BECOME SONS OF GOD

The Bible shows that some individuals were selected for an opportunity to become the first humans to be transformed into sons of the Father's new creation, long before the  existence of the world. It is important to understand the awesome opportunity of  being called to salvation during this age and that this is a one-time opportunity which must be made the primary focus of one's life if one is to be spiritually successful. Without an understanding of  why one exists and why the Father has called one to salvation during this age, one cannot begin to understand his will. According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,according to the good pleasure of his will. . . in whom also we have obtained an inheritance,being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will, for us to be the praise of his glory, the ones  who first trusted in Christ" (Eph.1:4-5, 11-12 KJV Para.).Before the foundation of the world, the Father determined that those whom he would create and call during this phase of his plan for humanity would become holy and blameless through the sacrifice of his first-born son Jesus Christ, so that they could be adopted into his family as sons according to his purpose for humanity. Verses 11 and 12 show that the Father predetermined that certain individuals would come into existence in order to perform certain responsibilities for him. The predestination that the apostle Paul speaks of in verses 11 and 12  has nothing to do with a person's decision to repent or not, but it has everything to do with the Father's predetermined plan (his will, i.e., his purpose) for the salvation of specific   individuals at a specific time and the salvation of  humanity as a whole.

THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

Jesus gave two illustrations to show the importance of prioritizing one's life so that one can fulfill one's calling and enter into the Kingdom of God. "Listen carefully, Beware of an  excessive desire for things of this world, because a person is more than his possessions. Then he said: A certain rich man's field produced a great crop, and he said to himself, I have so much in my barns that I don't have room to store it, soI'll tear down my barns and build larger ones in which to put all that I get. And I will stop working because I have more than enough to last me many years, and now I will just eat, drink and enjoy a leisure life.  But God said to him, You fool, tonight you will die, now who will possess the  things that you worked for? So is the person that stores treasure for himself and is not rich toward God"(Lk.12:15-21 Para.).No one can take physical possessions into the Father's spiritual dimension of existence. The only things that a child of God can take with them into the Father's family and kingdom is spiritual  knowledge, understanding, and character that is acquired during this physical life:"Then turning to his disciples he said, Don't have anxious thoughts about your life, or what you will eat or what clothing you will wear. Because life is more than food and clothing. . . The Father will clothe you. . . Don't make what you eat or drink your priority. Don't be anxious about these things, for these are the things that other people make their priorities in life: Your Father knows that you need these things. But rather  seek the Kingdom of God and these things will be provided for you.Don't fear, little flock because it is the Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom"(Lk.12:22-32  Para.).The Father wants to give a person he has called to salvation entry into his kingdom; however, he can only do this if  the person he has called will make the fulfilling of his  purpose for their existence the first priority in their life. The scriptures clearly show that there is nothing else one can accomplish during this life that is more important than fulfilling the Father's purpose for their  life.
 

GOD'S WILL AND ONE'S DAILY LIFE
"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill:but time and chance happens to them all"(Ecc.9:11 KJV). See also Matt.5:45.Although the Father calls each  person for a special purpose, none are exempt from time and chance. Therefore, in order to be spiritually successfully in any given situation, one must not only be continually mindful of the purpose for which one has been called but also have the spiritual knowledge and understanding with which to make correct decisions ( See Eph.6:12-18; 2.Pet.1:5-10). However, knowing God's will in a difficult situation does not always ease the pain and  suffering of the moment; it just gives meaning to it:"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"(Rom.8:28 KJV).God  the Father gives the opportunity for salvation, but it  is the responsibility of each individual to make an on going effort to  develop spiritual maturity and perform the work to which they have been called.

BE WISE AND UNDERSTAND GOD'S WILL

How important is it to know, understand , and do the Father's will in one's life? Jesus gave many warnings about the fate of people who refused to do his will in their lives. The following statements of Jesus clearly show that knowing, understanding, and doing the Father's will is so important that not knowing, understanding, and doing his will in one's life to the best one's ability (Eph.6:6; Col.4:12) separates one from a relationship with Jesus Christ and prevents one from entering the Kingdom of Heaven:"Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the will of the Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,  have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils and in your name done many wonderful works? But, I  will say to them, I never knew you:depart from me, you that work lawlessness"(Matt.7:21-23 KJV Para.). See also Rom.12:2.There are many people today that sincerely think they are doing the will of God, because they use the name of Jesus to teach a message  about God or  seem to have spiritual insight or the ability to perform supernatural works. However, most of these people do not truly know God, and many of those who do know God are living in disobedience to him. Jesus said that only those who are truly doing the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. See Matt.25:1-13; Rev.1:18-20; 2:1-29; 3:1-6, 14-22.

In the end of the age, there will  be many of the Father's elect children who truly know the Father's will concerning their lives, but for some reason they will refuse to do what they know they should do. To these unfaithful servants Jesus says the following:"And that servant, who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself, and did not perform according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes"(Lk.12:47 para.). When the warnings in Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 12:47 are viewed in the context of  the punishment that will be administered to the Father's elect children who comprise the six churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation for their failure to perform his will in their lives, the seriousness of knowing, understanding, and performing the Father's will to the best of one's ability should motivate one to seek his will in  their life.In order  to obtain eternal life and the spiritual power and glory that the Father wants each of his first-born to have, one must make a  serious commitment and effort to put away one's former evil behavior and  replace  it  with the Father's righteous ways. The  way  to accomplish  this type of commitment and behavioral  change  is through using the power of the holy  spirit:"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming  the time, because the days are evil. Whereforebe  you not  unwise, but  understanding what the will of  the  Lord  is"(Eph.5:15-17 KJV). See Rom.8:12-13; Col.1:7-10; 3:5-10.Each person whom the Father has called to salvation in this age must know and prove what his will is for their life.  This demands that one put forth the time and effort to determine what the Father's will is and is not.If  a person does not know what is expected of them, they cannot perform what is expected. Therefore, in order to serve and please the  Father and fulfill his purpose for one's life, a person must know what he expects of them and how to accomplish  what is expected. And in order to know this, one  must diligently seek this knowledge:"Teach me  to do your will; for you are my God: Your  spirit  is good; lead me into the land of righteousness"(Psa.143:10 KJV).

GOD'S WILL CAN BE KNOWN

While reprimanding the spiritual leaders of the Jews in Rome, Paul said that these Jews understood the will of God concerning their moral and  spiritual behavior because they understood God's law and were schooled in his word from their youth:"You Jews think that all is well between yourselves and God because he gave his laws to you; you brag that you are his special friends. Yes, you know what he wants[these Jews understood God's will]; you know right from wrong and favor the right because you have been taught his laws from  earliest youth. You are so sure of the way of God that you could point it out to a blind man. You think of yourselves as beacon lights, directing men who are lost in darkness to God. You think that you can guide the simple and even teach children the affairs of God, for you really know his laws, which are full of knowledge and truth. Yes, you teach others—then why don't you teach yourselves? You tell others not to steal—do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery—do you do it?You say, Don't pray to idols, and then you make money your god instead. You are so proud of knowing God's laws, but you dishonor him by breaking them. No wonder the Scriptures say that the world speaks evil of God because of you"(Rom.2:17-24 LBP).
Just as these Jews knew and understood God's will through the study of  his written word, the Father's elect children can know and understand his will. Although God the Father and his Son have intentionally hidden much of their awesome purpose from most people, this knowledge and understanding will not be kept hidden from any of the elect of God who will make a diligent effort to obtain it. See Dan.12:4,10; Eph.6:19;  Col.1:24-27; 1.Pet.1:12.Notice the following things that Jesus and the apostle said concerning the knowledge that the Father reveals to those who are called to salvation during this age:"And the disciples came, and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered and said,Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not  given. . . Therefore I speak to them in parables: because seeing, they  see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand"(Matt.13:10-13 Para.). See also Isa.6:9-10."But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For truly I say to you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see,and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them"(Matt.13:16-17 KJV). See also Mk.4:11-12; Lk.8:10."Having made know to us the mystery of his (the Father's) will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That is the fullness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; in him (Jesus). In whom  we also have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the council of his own will: Tha twe should be the praise [i.e.,acknowledgment/declaration] of his glory, who first trusted in Christ"(Eph.1:9-11 KJV).Yes, the Father's will can be known and understood by those who he has called to salvation, because knowing  and understanding his will is part of one's calling.

Listen And Obey God's Instructions

Jesus said that he came to do the will of his Heavenly Father and to be an example of how to please him. If anyone wants to know and understand the Father's will and please him, they must look to the example of Christ :"All who listen to my  instructions and follow them are wise,like a man who builds his house on solid rock. Though the rain  comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against his  house, it won't collapse, for it is built on  a  rock.  But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish,  like a  man who builds his house on the sand. For when the  rains  and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash" (Matt.7:24-27 LBP). See also 1.Tim.6:17-19."I, of  myself  can  do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me"(Jn.5:30 KJV Para.)."For I came down from heaven,not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me"(Jn.6:38 KJV).
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our  Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen"(Heb.13:20-21 KJV).The apostles Paul, Peter, and John clearly understood that  Jesus had been sent by the Father to reveal his purpose forhumanity; therefore, they taught that one of the primary ways to know, understand, and live within the Father's will is to study what Jesus taught and model one's thoughts and behavior after his example."Let  this  mind  be  in you, which was  also  in  Christ Jesus"(Phil.2:5 KJV)."But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and  Savior Jesus Christ. . ."(2.Pet.3:18 KJV)."But  whosoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of  God [the Father's love] perfected: hereby  we know that we are in him. He that  says he abides  in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he [Jesus] walked"(1.Jn.2:5-6 KJV).The scriptures clearly show that God's will (his purpose) for  humanity and for his elect children is no secret, and it can and must be known and understood if one is to grow toward spiritual maturity. But, how does one determine and understand God's  will well enough to be able to set a correct course for one's life and make correct decisions concerning one's spiritual life?Ancient Israel relied on the priests and the prophets to reveal God's  will to them.
 Today, the elect of God must rely on the written word of God and the guidance from  the holy spirit (Jn.14:26) to reveal the Father's will to them. Because the Father speaks to us through his written word and the holy spirit that resides within us, we should diligently study his word and ask him for spiritual enlightenment through his spirit so that we can know and understand his will  in order do what pleases him.

Study God's Word
A person is not given perfect knowledge and understanding of  all the  mysteries  of God at the instant one receives  the holy spirit. A short review of the apostles'  letters to  the churches shows that the acquisition of spiritual knowledge  and understanding requires that one ask the Father for it and then spend the time and effort to diligently seek it through study and  meditation on God's  word."The heart of the righteous studies how to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours outevil things"(Pro.15:28 KJV)."Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God. But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase to more ungodliness"(2.Tim.2:15-16 KJV). See also 1.Thes.4:10-12; 2.Pet.3:13-18.

SUMMARY

Knowing, understanding, and doing the Father's will is important to being a productive citizen within the Father's holy nation of kings, ambassadors, and priests. Moreover, it is vitally important to one's salvation, because, if a person does not do the will of the Father that person is not a member of the Family of God.

As Jesus was being crucified he said,"Whoever does the will of God, that person is my brother, and my sister, and mother"(Mk.3:35 KJV).There are many scriptures that clearly show what the Father's will is concerning the conduct of  those he has called to salvation in this age. The following are few of  the instructions given by the apostles Paul and John, which  give an overview of  the things that one should be doing if one is serious about one's opportunity for salvation and doing the Father's will:"For this is God's will concerning your being set apart for a holy purpose(sanctification). You should abstain from sexual sins. And all of you should know how to maintain their holy vessel in purity and honor and hold back lustful passions that are  practiced by the nations who do not know God. Do not defraud a brother in any matter, because the Lord will punish the wrong doer. You have been forewarned. The Father has not called us to uncleanness, but has called us to holiness"(1.Thes.4:3-7 Para.).See also 1.Thes.5:12-22."Do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect,  will of the Father"(Rom.12:2 Para.)."Do not love the world or the things of the world, because if anyone loves the things of  the world, the Father's  love is not in them. For all the things of the world, the lust of  the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of  the Father, but is of  the world. The world will pass  away, and all the lust thereof,but the person who does the will of  the Father will exist forever"(1.Jn.2:15-17 Para.).A fundamental issue that each person who is called to salvation during this age must come to grips with is  whether or not to grow in grace and knowledge and perform the Father's will in one's life to the best of one's ability and change one's character from unrighteousness to righteousness. When all is said and done and all of one's tests and trials of this life are over and one stands before the Father and his Son to be judged for what one has done with the opportunities that were given, the fundamental issue that will determine whether one is punished with the second death  in the Lake of  Fire or what kind of rewards and positions one is presented with as an eternal and immortal spirit-being in the Father's   heavenly Kingdom and Family is how one performed the Father's will during one's physical life. If one has grown in grace and knowledge and performed the  Father's will to the best of one's ability and changed one's character from unrighteousness to righteousness, eternal and immortal life is assured.Because knowing and understanding the Father's will is vitally important to those he  calls to salvation, he has provided easily understood methods through which his children can receive help to gain this knowledge and understanding. These two methods are communication with him and the study and meditation of  his truth that is contained in the Bible.By B.L Cocherell,

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google Plus

Declaimer - Unknown

The publications and/or documents on this website are provided for general information purposes only. Your use of any of these sample documents is subjected to your own decision NB: Join our Social Media Network on Google Plus | Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin