The Blessing of Pursuing the Will of God
John 6:38 (NIV)
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
Dyothelitism — Jesus Christ had two distinct wills, one human and one divine
Monothelitism — A 7th-century Christological heresy that teaches that Jesus Christ had only one will—a divine will
For one thing, whatever doubts may attach to the definition of will, it is clear that there can be no true human nature without the ability to make human choices. Jesus had ordinary human desires, longings, preferences and aspirations. Just as truly, he had human aversions.
Under these influences he made decisions and pursued options in the same way as we do ourselves.
This is clearly indicated in the Scriptures, not least in the way they distinguish between the will of Jesus and the will of God. This appears in, for example, John 6:38, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” Such language presupposes not only a metaphysical distinction between the will of Jesus and the will of the Father, but also the logical possibility that Jesus' natural preferences (based on personal self-interest) might not always coincide with the wishes of the Father. Indeed, it is this fact which creates the whole possibility of kenosis or self-emptying. The Servant consults not his own interests but the interests of others.
—Donald Macleod, Principal and Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free Church of Scotland College
Hebrews 10:5–7 (NIV)
“When Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said, “Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.”’”
1. Make the will of God your priority every day
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
The Kingdom: God's rule and authority to move into places and situations
The will of God to be done: God's plans and desire to be accomplished inside the kingdom
“I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying.”
—Smith Wigglesworth
2. Be willing to be interrupted
John 4:34 (NIV)
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
3. Be Committed to the Will of God Through Difficulty
Matthew 26:39–44 (ESV)
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.
John 6:38–40 (NIV)
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
