What actions demonstrate doing God's will according to Mark 3:35? Verse Focus “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) Immediate Setting • Jesus is teaching in a crowded house (vv. 31–34). • His biological family waits outside, urging Him to come out. • He looks at those seated around Him—people who chose to stay, listen, and obey—and calls them His true family. Doing God’s will, then, is pictured first as choosing to be close to Jesus, listening to Him, and responding with obedience. Core Actions That Demonstrate Doing God’s Will 1. Draw near to Jesus – Come where His Word is taught and gladly remain there (v. 34; cf. Luke 10:39). 2. Listen attentively to Scripture – “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) 3. Obey His commands immediately – Obedience, not mere admiration, marks true kinship with Christ (John 14:21). 4. Believe in the Son whom the Father sent – “This is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” (John 6:40) 5. Put loyalty to Christ above every earthly tie – Family, culture, and personal plans yield to the Lord’s call (Matthew 10:37). 6. Practice love that originates in God – “Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.” (1 John 4:21) 7. Remain steadfast in righteousness – “For this is the will of God: your sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) 8. Persevere in doing good works prepared by God – “We are His workmanship…to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) Key Takeaways • Doing God’s will is not abstract; it begins with proximity to Jesus and submission to His Word. • Faith in Christ and practical obedience are inseparable; each validates the other (James 2:17). • Those who live this way enjoy the astonishing privilege Jesus promises in Mark 3:35—full inclusion in His eternal family. |
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