Our experience of love and satisfaction in life is tied directly to being obedient to God’s will and God’s way.
Jesus described that way for us in these words: If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. (Luke 9:23-24 NLT).
During His life on earth, Jesus said many times that He came to do the will of His Father. His prayer of commitment, the night before he went to the cross over 2000 years ago was, “Not my will but Yours be done”. (Luke 22:42 NIV)
Jesus’ words and actions all the way through His trial, suffering, and death on the cross confirmed His surrender to God and His willingness to complete the work He came to do. When times are tough for us we can be assured of this truth: as surely as God raised Jesus from the dead, He will walk with us through whatever trials our life presents. We, like Jesus, need to keep on surrendering to God’s way, no matter how difficult our circumstances become. Jesus’ obedience to fulfill the plan of God for His life is a pattern for each of us to follow. Let’s not waste it.
Jesus said: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (John 4:34, Ephesians 6:6, Romans 12:2 NLT)
When Jesus came to earth as a man, He laid aside the splendor of heaven so the plan of God could be fulfilled for you and me. Are we willing to be faithful followers of Jesus and set aside anything in our lives that God asks of us? If we are willing to do so, we will experience the satisfying richness of life to the full here on earth, and, when this life is over, everlasting life in heaven with Him. Jesus life, death and resurrection makes eternal life available to each of us. Let’s not waste what He’s offering.
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