Doing the Will of God

To love the truth is also to love Jesus, even when it demands my self-life. This is where I must follow Him in humiliation, not in my own strength, but in humility and trust in God. Often I want to defend myself, explain my actions and viewpoint, win an argument, or get recognition from other people. But then my self-will comes to the fore, and the gentle voice of Jesus fades more and more away. “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” . This is not a matter of feelings, but of a conscious choice to love and believe in Him who can save me, even when it costs something. This is where it becomes evident whether I love Jesus or whether I am more concerned with defending myself and my own ego.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” . We have been called to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that I can understand what is God’s will, even in difficult circumstances. When I am to find what is God’s will, I must have a living interest in finding it; here I must seek, search, and ponder the word of God, because it is in the word that I find help. When I see what is God’s will, I must be willing to die to myself and my own will, and by the power of the Holy Spirit put to death the sin that clings so closely to me. By remaining in this race I experience a continual transformation.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” . I must have this prayer in my heart; in this searching I must humble myself under the mighty hand of God and examine myself in this position. It is not only a matter of questioning my own choices and actions, but of being willing to let God, by the Spirit, try and cleanse my inner being. Then I will experience that God’s chastening comes over my life. Cowardice and lack of self-searching come very easily to us; I am afraid of losing face and recognition, and this hinders my development in God.

Jesus says: “Whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” . To do His will is to love Jesus more than myself, more than my viewpoints, opinions, and being right. Here love becomes a driving force in my life. And I gain fellowship with Jesus and everyone who is like-minded.

Do I find God’s will in my circumstances? Yes, if I walk the way of the cross—where I love the truth, bow down, and allow the Holy Spirit to be the driving force in my life—then Jesus becomes my strength. Then His will can also be done, and God’s grace can continue to rest upon me.

Øyvind Nilsen