Sweet Will of God

Sometimes I am exhausted by the inner struggle between the 'right' and the 'wrong.' I know what I should do, but I am keenly aware that part of me has no real desire for that course of action. For example, there are mornings I know I should worship, but I feel no inclination to seek God's Presence. Watching TV seems more inviting! Or, there are times that I should serve others, but I feel like sitting down and letting somebody else do the heavy lifting. In those moments I wonder, "Is this normal for a Believer? Do other Christians struggle like this?" The Bible answers that question with a resounding - Yes! "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (Galatians 5:17, NIV)

Billy Graham illustrated the struggle between right and wrong by telling of a man with two dogs, a white one and a black one. The dogs fought, but each one would win at different times. When asked what made the difference in which dog won, the owner said, "The one I feed wins." Graham's point was that the inner struggle between our sinful nature and the spiritual nature is ongoing. However, the Spirit of God, when invited to live in us, will strengthen us so that we can overcome the temptations of our old fallen character. The Word says, "we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father." (Romans 8:12-15, CEV)

Sin can never be overcome by sheer strength of human will alone! Jesus told a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." (John 3.3) When we respond to God's call with obedient faith, believing that Jesus Christ has forgiven our sins, the Spirit comes to live in us, giving life to our spiritual nature. But that is not the end of the matter! At that moment of rebirth, the struggle is launched. The Scripture calls the Christian life "a race set before us... run with endurance." (Heb. 12) The reality of the Believer's life is that as one becomes more attuned to the will of God - both through knowing the Bible and listening to the Spirit's leading - he also comes to realize just how incapable he is of consistently pleasing God. The resulting desperation can lead to a surrendered life lived in complete reliance on the Spirit's powerful Presence, or to a despairing heart that gives in to temptation again and again.

The difference is grace. We can resort to rationalizations for our sins, excusing our temperish outbursts, explaining away the gaps in our love as 'just natural,' giving in to our desires because 'everybody does it.' And we will increasingly become merely religious, having an appearance of devotion, but living in spiritual death. Or, we can receive grace, acknowledging the truth about ourselves, and strip away the layers of duplicity. Vulnerable before God and man, we rely solely on God's Spirit, 'taking up the shield of faith.' The confrontations with Self and Sin and Satan are ongoing, but as we learn to rely on God's grace, we gain the upper hand, living holy lives that reflect His goodness and glory.

Oh, Believer, remember this, too. It is possible to start well and then become prideful, losing ground. Paul led people in the city of Galatia into a right relationship with God, teaching them about the Cross and faith. They believed and were filled with goodness and grace. Then, some lying preachers came along and taught them that they had to 'do this and do that' by their own effort in order to stay right with God. They became proud of their righteousness, pointing to their morality. Then, they started to fall! They began in the Spirit, but resorted to human effort. His language is strong in his rebuke. Read this carefully. "You stupid Galatians! I told you exactly how Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross. Has someone now put an evil spell on you? I want to know only one thing. How were you given God’s Spirit? Was it by obeying the Law of Moses or by hearing about Christ and having faith in him? How can you be so stupid? Do you think that by yourself you can complete what God’s Spirit started in you? Have you gone through all of this for nothing? Is it all really for nothing? God gives you his Spirit and works miracles in you. But does he do this because you obey the Law of Moses or because you have heard about Christ and have faith in him?" (Galatians 3:1-6, CEV)

Keep a pure heart - which Kierkegaard says is 'to will one thing.' Pray that God's will becomes your will. Where there is a conflict (and there will be conflict!) confess your temptation to God and accept His grace to choose His way - even if it seems to kill you. (It must!) The life that emerges from this daily release of the Spirit's life will be a thing of beauty in the eyes of God, even if rejected as foolishness by others who think they are living to the full by doing their own thing, serving themselves. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 16:25, NIV)

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Sweet Will Of God
Morris, Lelia N.

Sweet will of God,
still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone;
And this the prayer my lips are bringin,
"Lord, let in me Thy will be done."

Thy precious will, O conquering Savior,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
All discords hushed, my peace a river,
My soul a prisoned bird set free.

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee!

© 1968 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055