James 4:15 “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that”
Obedience is a subject that seems to take a back seat to desire. If our desire is to obey at any cost then we obey, but for most, that is not the case. Today obedience is expressed as an action “I” think I should do. If I don’t think God’s request is relevant then it’s my choice. However, the Bible is very clear that obedience to God’s will is paramount to our walk with Him. Being obedient to God’s will is the action that gets the most blessing. The action that gives your soul peace beyond understanding. The action that speaks for itself when others are watching. Obedience above everything else honors God and pleases him.
The beginning of this verse seems a little trite, but “If the Lord will” is more than a trivial statement, it should be the constant attitude of the heart.
God made everything in our universe to operate according to the laws of nature and physics. If we cooperate with these laws, the universe can work with us and for us. But if we try to fight against these laws they will work against us. Consider the laws that govern flight. If the engineer and pilot understand the laws that govern flight and obey them they will be fine. They can enjoy a successful flight, but if they violate these basic laws the result will be disastrous.
God’s will for our lives is comparable to those laws He has built within the universe, with one exception. The universal laws are general, but the will of God treats each of us as individuals. He has a general will that all should be saved.
II Peter 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.”
However, he has a specific will for us as individuals. God’s specific will is revealed to each of us on our journey of obedience. He is a personal God. We can count on Him dealing with us as a person he loves. When we mess up he doesn’t forsake us or disowns us. Rather, He deals with us as disobedient children. He chastens us as a loving Father, that is trying to change the behavior of his child, for his child’s own good. God does not reveal His will to the curious or careless, but to those who are ready and willing to obey.
So many people I know, go through life wondering and asking how they will know what God’s will is for their life. It’s really very simple. You start with what you know God wants you to do and do it. Then, as he opens other doors you walk through. If the opportunity presented lines up with scripture then you have the freedom to follow. Knowing the will of God is always a process. You don’t get from A to Z in one step. There are 24 letters in between. If God revealed the entire path at one time, it would probably scare us so much many would quit. He will equip us for the task as we are ready to handle it, through the path of obedience!
Some feel God wants them to do certain things that cause them to compromise His word, but God will never lead us where it contradicts his word. For instance, God has commanded us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” He intends for us to be in church together often. For you to take a job that causes you to honor Christ less, because of your schedule, or the requirements put on you, is wrong. It is not God’s will for you to do anything that would cause you to do less than what his word commands. In order for us to know his perfect will for our lives, we must be willing to do anything he asks of us. Keep the main thing the main thing. We should not compartmentalize our lives. He wants everything, and to be in everything.
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
The secret to a happy life is to delight in duty. When duty becomes delight, then burdens become blessings. When we do the work of the ministry out of a grateful, submissive heart we will be enriched and blessed beyond measure. You must always keep in mind Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
No matter how hard the task, it will be worth it in light of who we are doing it for, and what he has done for us.
