How can we align our will with God's, as Jesus did in John 6:38? Jesus’ Model of Submission (John 6:38) “For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” • Jesus willingly laid aside any independent agenda. • He treated the Father’s plan as non-negotiable, final, and good. • His obedience flowed from perfect love and trust. Understanding God’s Will • Revealed in Scripture—what God has clearly spoken (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Refined through sanctification—His Spirit aligns our choices (Philippians 2:13). • Reflected in Christ—whatever matches Jesus’ character and mission (Hebrews 1:3). Cultivating a Heart of Obedience • Surrender daily: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) • Delight in His law: “I delight to do Your will, O my God.” (Psalm 40:8) • Trust fully: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Practices That Position Us to Hear and Follow • Consistent, prayer-soaked Bible reading (Psalm 119:105) • Worship and fellowship with faithful believers (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Regular self-examination and confession (1 John 1:9) • Spirit-led decision-making—pause, pray, search the Word, then act (Romans 8:14) • Active service—step into good works prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10) Barriers to Alignment and How to Overcome • Pride → humble yourself before the Lord (James 4:7-10) • Worldly pressures → “Do not be conformed…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) • Fear of loss → remember God “withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11) • Unconfessed sin → repent quickly; restoration clears spiritual hearing (Psalm 32:3-5) Promises and Blessings of a Will Aligned with His • Answered prayer: “If you remain in Me…and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) • Deep peace: “Great peace have those who love Your law.” (Psalm 119:165) • Lasting fruitfulness: “He who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17) • Joyful intimacy: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11) Putting It into Practice Today • Start each morning by echoing Christ’s resolve in John 6:38. • Choose obedience in the small, unseen tasks; faithfulness there prepares you for larger assignments. • Stay teachable—let Scripture correct and redirect whenever needed. • Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power; human discipline alone cannot sustain alignment. • Expect God’s guidance to become clearer the more you walk in what you already know. |
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