Whose Will Governs Your Life?
No one can equally serve two masters not even when it comes to God and self. Serving God means to do so with the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). As we examine the mind of Christ it is easy to see whose will dominated his life.
When Jesus faced the humiliation and suffering of the cross to bear the consequences of our transgressions he uttered, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matt. 26:38). But when he prayed three times that “the hour might pass from him” he concluded each request with “…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (26:39,42,44). The humanity of Jesus did not want to horribly suffer for sins. Yet, he esteemed the Father’s will far above his own. This was the mind of Christ. Of course, Jesus was not offering lip-service for he obediently went to the cross even though he had a choice: “I lay down my life…No man taketh it from me” (John 10:17-18). Because he esteemed the Father’s will so highly he was like an obedient servant with no will of his own (Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:7-8).
Jesus Sought the Father’s Will.
“…I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30). We are able to do the Father’s will too when we seek it first (Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2). Our Father refuses to be second behind anyone or anything (Mark 12:30; Luke 9:57-62). This means faithfully Christianity must always have preeminence.
Jesus Did the Father’s Will.
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Jesus said he did what he saw the Father do (John 5:19). We too should imitate Jesus (Luke 6:40; John 13:15). Then, what we say (Eph. 4:29), where we go (1 Thess. 5:22), and what we do (Phil. 1:27), will be the Father’s will.
Jesus Embodied the Father’s Will.
“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Jesus was affirming the Father’s will sustained him just as the nourishment of food did. We should say the same. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20; cf. Phil. 1:21).
