Bible Verse: “’Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.’” (Matthew 7:21 NLT)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21-27; Romans 12:1-21; Galatians 4:1-6
I’m old enough to remember those printed road maps we would purchase or pick up at the nearest Tourist Chalet.
Since then, we’ve been spoiled, from GPS devices to Google Maps. Every new technical update makes navigation more accurate and easier to follow.
But when it comes to following God’s will, it can seem more like a mystery for men to solve than a map to follow.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
It is those who actually do God’s will that meet the entrance requirements for the Kingdom.
But when it comes to God’s will, how do we actually know what to do?
Well, that’s easy: we do what He says. The Scriptures give us explicit instructions and directions on God’s will. Here are some (emphasis added):
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is GOD’S WILL for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “GOD’S WILL is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.”
- Ephesians 5:17: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD’S WILL is.”
- 1 Peter 2:15: “It is GOD’S WILL that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society.”
- Romans 12:1-2: “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.”
To follow God’s will, we must do what we already know is His will, found in Scripture.
Are we doing these things faithfully and consistently? If not, start there.
If we follow His expressed will, we’ll be men who begin to conform to His image; our desires and decisions will be aligned with Him, and we will be positioned to better understand His personal will for our lives.
God’s will is less of a mystery and more of a map. Read the map and follow its directions. That’s a great place to start!
Prayer: Lord, I confess to You that I often fall short of doing the parts of Your will laid out in Your Word. Help me be not just a hearer but a doer of Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection: Do a deeper study on all the occasions in Scripture that describe God’s will. You may find new clarity about what it means to know His will.
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