The Will to Do God’s Will

By

Shelby G. Floyd

December 10, 2007

Approximately 18 months after Jesus had healed the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda he went back up to Jerusalem during the Jew’s feast of the tabernacles which lasted for eight days. It was about the middle of this feast that Jesus went up into the temple and taught the people. They were amazed at his understanding and wisdom in teaching God’s word: “And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (John 7: 15.) Jesus had never attended their schools and studied under their outstanding teachers, and therefore they could not understand how he had learned so much knowledge. This was not supposed to happen. It is becoming increasingly difficult today for preachers to preach in some congregations unless they have gone to the right school or unless they have a certain degree. But this is not the way that it should be. Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, during his presidency, was by many judged an ignoramus because he was a poor country lawyer. A man should be judged by his knowledge and love for the truth, and his ability to preach the truth rather than by degrees and schools of learning.

Jesus had learned his knowledge from God. In Mark, chapter six, we read of Jesus going into his own country and teaching in the synagogue on the sabbath day. The people there were also amazed at the learning and knowledge of Jesus: “And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?” (Mark 6: 2-3.)

Every honest person who ever heard Jesus Christ teach admitted that there was no one that could equal his ability in delivering the truth of God. When the chief priests and Pharisees sent the temple officers to arrest Christ, they came back empty handed. And when asked why they had not brought him, their only reply was; “Never man spake like this man.” (John 7: 46.) The people who heard Christ teach during the feast of the tabernacles wondered where he had received such wonderful wisdom. Therefore Jesus replied to them saying, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” (John 7: 16.)

Jesus never claimed to originate the doctrine which he taught the people. He always gave his Father the glory and the credit for his teaching. For instance, Jesus said to some people, “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8: 28-29.) Therefore from this summation one can see that Jesus received his doctrine from his heavenly Father, and he only spoke that which the Father gave to him, and so it should be today on the part of every faithful gospel preacher. We should only speak as the oracles of God: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. “(1 Peter 4: 1.)

After Christ had stated to his hearers that his doctrine came from him that sent him, he gave them a practical test to determine whether he was telling the truth or not. He said,

“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (John 7: 17.)

The practical test which Christ gives in this verse is the desire to do God’s will. No man can know and do God’s will who does not desire to do his will. This emphasizes the nature of man. Man is not a robot or a machine that God can program to do his will, but man is a creature of choice or free will.

The word “will” is translated from a word which means “to hold to, to have in mind, intend, to will.” Therefore, it denotes steadfastness or purpose. Thayer defines the word, “To be resolved or determine, to purpose.” (Thayer, page 285.) In John 7: 17, the term “will” is a present subjunctive and it is used with the present infinitive “to do.” Therefore, the meaning is simply this, “if any man might keep on willing to do God’s will, he shall know the doctrine, etc.” Therefore, the willingness to do God’s will, must be a continuous state, and not something that is done just one time or a few times. We must have the attitude of mind and the willingness of heart to always do God’s will. And, if this is our attitude, then Jesus says that we will know the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether he simply spoke of himself.

Jesus once taught a parable about the kingdom of God which is called the “Parable of the Sower.” In that parable Jesus explained that the seed is the word of God. (Luke 8: 11.) And he also explained that the soil which brought forth plentifully are they, “... which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8: 15.)

When Jesus had finished teaching this parable, the disciples wondered why he had spoken unto the people in parables. A parable is a story from the physical and material realm which illustrates a lesson in the spiritual and religious realm. Jesus explained to his disciples why he had spoken to them in parables,

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”(Matthew 13: 13-16.)

Jesus was simply saying that the people had no desire to do the will of God and therefore they would not understand the parables. But since the disciples had a will to do God’s will they would understand what Jesus was teaching in his parables, and would do the will of God. Let us make sure as we approach God’s word that we have a sincere desire and a willingness to do God’s will. Copyright © 2007 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved