Not As I Will

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #132v, Re-Written 21OCT09

The Disciples’ Prayer—Part Twenty Two: Not As I Will

by rev dave c

Mt 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "`Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one' (NIV).

Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." John 5:30: By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 6:38: ...I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me (NIV).

How different from Satan’s, “I will...I will...I will...I will...I WILL!” of Isaiah 14:12-14, is the heart and the head of Jesus as revealed in the above verses from the Gospels of Matthew and John. Lucifer had been created perfect in all his ways, but he used his gift of volition to choose rebellious disobedience, and so he became the ‘Adversary of God’, and the ‘Accuser of the Brethren’. On the other hand, Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! (Ph 2:6-8; NIV).

In First John 1:5 we are told: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Satan was originally created to be a guardian cherub and he was given the name, Lucifer—”Son of the Morning”, or ‘Light Bearer’ (Is 14:12). When he chose rebellious disobedience, he brought separation between himself and God; i.e., he drew death and darkness around him and all those who choose to follow him (whether they are angelic, or human). But listen to the message of John 1:4-9; In him [the Word, Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John [the Baptist]. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world (NIV). The Son of God became fully the Son of Man in perfect obedience to the will of God the Father and in the power of God the Holy Spirit. It was His obedience that brought light into the world, and it is our obedience that brings His light into the hearts of all those who are called by His name.

Yet not as I will, but as you will. The will of God is an enormous subject that is summed up simply for us in the attitude of Christ: “I will obey.” Ephesians tells us: 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory (NIV). “Glory” is translated from the Romanized Greek word, doxa (#1391), which broadly means “things made apparent.” More specifically, however, it does not refer to outward appearances, rather it refers to the light and splendor of God’s glory as it emanates from within.

Jesus tells us, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jn 8:12b; NIV). Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. And what is God’s will for us? Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1Th 5:16-18; NIV). Again, what is God’s will for us? “Be joyful...pray...and give thanks.” And how often should we do these things? “Always...continually...and in all circumstances.” In this way we demonstrate the light of life through Christ in, and to, this world. In this way we share in the glory of the Son, and we bring glory to the Father. Amen.