God’s Will Trumps Men’s Will
Greetings elect of God, Wayne a servant of God, called by the grace of God, and placed under the authority of Jesus Christ.
This video will address the importance of God’s people, or called out ones, to self-examine the commitment they made at baptism, to fulfill the will of God rather than the will of men.
Diligent study of the scriptures, which is our reasonable service for so great a reward (Rom 12:1), will highlight God’s will and provide us with the knowledge necessary to ensure we are putting Him first.
I will be the words in green. Purple highlights in the scriptures are key words of truth. Reference scriptures will be provided.
As we are navigating in uncertain times, remember these scriptures from our Lord:
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
And who is that name representing?
Mat 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Does our Lord have the same will as our Father in heaven?
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Total agreement. What do they expect from us?
Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.
So let your faith be in our Lord, Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God, carrying out the will of God, and thus setting the example for us.
Let us look at some scriptures that reveal the mind of the God family to determine what is the will of that family for the people of God.
God reveals that He wants us to be doing those things that are pleasing in His sight, (1Jn 3:22) and to show graciousness and mercy to all, but especially to fellow brethren.
Do we allow men to dictate to us how we should feel about other baptized members of the God family? Is that not asking us to be judgemental of one another? With our very crowns at stake, we ought to be allowing our Lord to have the final say on the matter:
Luk 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven:
And seeing that Jesus has come to call sinners to repentance (Mat 9:13), should we not consider this scripture:
Mat 7:5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye.
Jesus used the word hypocrite to strongly rebuke the Pharisees who claimed to be representing God. Do we want that rebuke to fall on us? Here is the mind of God:
Exo 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that you have spoken: for you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name.
Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
And the apostle Paul confirming:
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
What will our end be if that mercy and compassion falls on someone we ourselves are not having mercy and compassion on?
In the first resurrection, we will be accountable for how we have treated one another, as God has a desire that we love one another (Jn 13:34) as the work of His hands:
Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? [Yes!] all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job 14:15 You shall call, and I will answer you: you will have a desire to the work of your hands.
We all stumble off the strait and narrow path at times (Mat 7:14]). But it is important to recognize when we do. Then we confess to God - not men, for they have no power to forgive sin, only trespasses committed against them (Mar 11:25) - and the blood shed for us from our Lord cleanses us from all unrighteousness (Mat 9:6; 1Jn 1:9).
The following are examples of God’s servants making confession directly to Him:
Neh 1:6 Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and my father's house have sinned.
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God [Isa 45:23].
Job fully understood about confessing to God and not men. See the example of Job’s three friends trying to justify themselves in the sight of God by attempting to draw a confession from Job:
Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove my integrity from me.
Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
How does God consider Job?
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews [turns aside] evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you move me against him, to destroy him without cause.
God confirming that it is Satan who moves us against one another.
How does God consider Job’s three friends?
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.
Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
Two important points about God’s will here:
1. Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
2. Not every word in the Bible is considered right by God, but the words - His words - we are to live by, where He specifically speaks through His prophets in the Old Testament and through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Now let’s drive home His will with scriptures that show His servants, as well as our Lord, doing His will.
Psa 40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God: yea, your law is within my heart.
Psa 40:10 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great congregation.
Psa 119:47 And I will delight myself in your commandments, which I have loved.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.
Pro 16:3 Commit your works unto the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.
Here is Nebuchadnezzar after he had been humbled by God:
Dan 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes unto heaven, and my understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that lives for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What do you?
Back to the Father’s will:
Mat 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Some like to call Jesus brother. Well, according to our Father, that is a condition of following His will.
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Here, Jesus testing the Pharisees on the fifth commandment:
Mat 21:28 But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Mat 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Mat 21:31 Which of them two did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
The point of this parable is that the first son disobeyed a direct order from his father, breaking the fifth commandment which is to honour your father and mother.
Are we disobeying a direct order from our Father in heaven? You can read an example of men breaking a commandment and teaching men so in Mat 15:1-9. The same men, the Pharisees, who should have upheld the truth of the law but rather used the law for gain.
Continuing with God’s will:
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done.
Sometimes a severe trial is God’s will.
Now concerning prayer:
Luk 11:2 And he [the Christ of God] said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
There is a warning with this next one:
Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
The following show the Lord carrying out the will of the Father, keeping the fifth commandment to honour His Father and setting an example for us:
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Joh 4:34 Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
Joh 5:30 I can of my own self 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 which has sent me.
Now, to those ministers (servants) who Lord over brethren:
Joh 6:37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
I hope this saying comforts any who have been shamefully cast out from among brethren by men. However, remember two important teachings from our Lord:
1. We are still in His hands and therefore we are still in the body of Christ.
2. We are to forgive and pray for those who despitefully use us (Luk 6:28)
And the will of our Lord, not to cast any out, is also the will of our Father.
Notice:
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Never let doubt fueled by the actions of men lead to discouragement. Keep the faith. Believe on our Lord.
Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Now here is the reward for doing His will and studying every word of God:
Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
And what does God say about those who speak of themselves?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
We will now read the account of Jesus healing a man blind from birth:
Joh 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
A very important lesson coming here.
We continue after the healing:
Joh 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
Now down to the healed man speaking:
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
Is it not amazing that a man who had been blind from his birth could see these things when so many who had the blessing of being a witness to our Lord’s healings turned and walked away from Him (Jn 6:66)?
The healed man continuing:
Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Joh 9:34 They [the Pharisees] answered and said unto him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us? And they cast him out.
Did you catch it? Even though they could see the miracle, pride was keeping them out of the Kingdom of God. And so it does with some today.
And this can come as a curse from God if we are not careful.
Notice:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
They just would not accept it.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned [Greek: judged] who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There is the the curse. They remain blind to the lie or pride, for taking pleasure in them through gain and honour among themselves.
But God can reverse that if he sees fruits worthy of repentance (Luk 3:8) The Pharisees refused to show those fruits and so remained under the curse.
Our Lord sums up the matter:
Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God?
Joh 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Joh 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen him, and it is he that talks with you.
Joh 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Joh 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Implying they could see:
Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.
They blew another chance to repent.
Back to servants fulfilling God’s will:
Act 13:21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Act 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Act 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
And from the brethren of the apostle Paul:
Act 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean you to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Now, concerning things in the world:
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Do we seek to please those who are conformed to this world rather than the brethren of God? Is this the will of God?
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
The apostle John:
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in 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.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.
From the book of Revelation:
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
Continuing with oneness in Christ:
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will:
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Php 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:
That can be sexually through adultery and other sexual abominations, and figuratively through idolatry.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Confirming what we learned earlier about the Pharisees who "opposed themselves" by not offering repentance to God.
Now, faith and patience:
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward.
Heb 10:36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry [Hebrew: delay].
Remember who we are:
Jas 1:18 Of His own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:
The reality of all that I have put forth from the scriptures is that not all will hear because they fear men rather than God, even in light of scriptures like this one:
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
That is why, brethren, our prayers and not our judgements for such ones are so important.
This is the mind we should have:
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now, those who do hear God’s will should be evident according to these scriptures:
Act 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you [the apostle Paul], that you should know his will, and see that Just One [Jesus], and should hear the voice of his mouth.
Again, we see that we know God’s will by hearing the voice of our Lord:
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
At this point, I would just like to say that if I have offended any by word or deed then I ask forgiveness.
And for any who may think that I harbour ill thoughts toward them: I do not. All is forgiven. Nothing is held to your charge.
In conclusion brethren:
Heb 13:20 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,
Heb 13:21 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.
Freely I have received, freely I have given.
Peace to all,
Servanthood
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.