The Will of the Lord
A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.
Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
What is the Will of the Lord?
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.â€
Jesus clearly summed up the will of God in these four verses. First and foremost, love the Lord your God with everything you have. Then, love your fellow man. If you do these two commandments on which hang all the law and the prophets surely you are well on your way to doing God’s will.
How do you do this? Is it achievable? The following verses are provided to give us a close look at how we go about doing the will of God.
Achieving Gods Will in Our Lives.
Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
God doesnt want any of us to be lost or perish. He wants all of his children to join him in heaven.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
God wants us to serve him, to bring about his works here on earth. What are his works? For all of us to love him, obey his commandments, help our fellow man, pray without ceasing, and seek eternal life with him in heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
You should always thank God for all the blessings you receive. But, you should also thank God for any situation you are going through, even the difficult ones. Why? Because of this promise, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. God will strengthen you and help you. You might not understand it at the time, but everything eventually is for our own good. Through trials and tribulations God is molding you, developing you. If you count on him and seek him, he will always be there for you.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Sanctification means literally to be set aside for God. We should most certainly abstain from sexual sins like fornication since we are set aside as one of his people. He created us special, unlike anything else he created. He created us in his image. We are special to him. He doesnt want us to defile our bodies. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Collosians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
We Christians should always labor one for another so that we can help our brother and sister stand tall, perfect and complete before God. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
You must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
You cant fake your relationship with the Father. He knows and he searches your heart. You might be able to fool mankind, but not God. No amount of pleading on judgment day will help you. You must do and follow Gods will in your life here and now.
Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Be real not phony. Do not kiss up to the boss just to look good. Christians are to set the example, doing good in all things from your renewed mind and heart.
What are the obstacles to doing the will of God?
1 Peter 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.
The lusts of the flesh are a real stumbling block for all of us. However, God has provided us a way out. He hasn’t given us anything more than we can handle. He has provided the Holy Spirit which will be our conscience, our trainer, and our comforter.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Following and conforming to the world, a very formidable temptation, will lead to death. The world seems to have so much to offer, but they are only temporary. Fame and fortune are all to be counted as loss when it comes to heavenly things. Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Will you suffer while doing the Will of God?
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Many people falsely believe that you will not suffer once you are a Christian. This is not correct. Brethren, you will suffer. Jesus told us that we will be hated, as he was hated. But, there is promise of eternal joy for that suffering. The book of Psalms said it well, but joy cometh in the morning. Jesus calls those who are persecuted “blessed†in Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1 Peter 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. 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.
Suffering in this lifetime is hard, but God will provide you strength. Great will be your reward in Heaven, and heaven lasts for eternity!!!! So, keep the faith. Keep fighting the fight. Don’t give up in spreading the good news. Be glad at your persecutions and sufferings, keep your eyes focused on heaven and on God.
What happens when you follow the Will of God?
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
You live forever with God in heaven. The land of no pain, no tears.
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
You will become one with Jesus, considered his family, bound to spend eternity with him in heaven.
1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Christians are the light of the world! A true Christian is a beacon, to be seen, to set the example for others. Your Godly actions will glorify your Father in heaven and prove to the non-believer that there is a true, living God.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Those who know and follow the will of God will have a refreshing of their heart, will, and mind. A joyful peace, enjoying the love of God in your life.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
The promise of life everlasting. Continuous fellowship with God our Father. What a wonderful blessing.
The Final Results!!!!
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.