John Chapter 7 verse 17 (NIV-UK)
Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
Phillippians 1: verse 20 (NIV-UK)
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Jesus knew His calling and that His word could be trusted so He put out a challenge to those who were sceptical of His teaching. He told them that if they chose to do God’s will they would soon find out if what Jesus said was true. Those teachers of the law were not doing God’s will. They were doing their own idea of what they thought God’s will was. The two things were vastly different. So Jesus challenged them to try it. Sadly, they didn’t want to give up their own ways, and oh what they missed.
I was struck by the simplicity of this teaching and its challenge. And it’s so up to date that it’s just as relevant today as it was on that day. Jesus gives us an option – we make the choice to do God’s will or not. God never pressgangs us. But if we choose to do His will wholeheartedly, we are never disappointed. For those today who are sceptical about the work and ministry of Jesus, I think this single sentence is worth quoting to them. If they too are willing to seek out and do God’s will, then they will also not be disappointed.
Paul went through more than most of us in the west are ever likely to because of his obedience to God’s will but in spite of everything he went through, he felt it was all worth it. God never let him down and He won’t let us down either.
Dear Lord,
I’m so grateful that Your word can be trusted and that You will never disappoint anyone who chooses to do Your will. Help me to have the same faith, hope and confidence as Paul, no matter what circumstances I find myself. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.