What is the third petition [of the Lord=s Prayer]?

Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. That is: Grant that we and all men may renounce our own will and obey Thy will, which alone is good, without grumbling, so that everyone may carry out his office and calling as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven. 

 

I. Believers Subordinate Their Wills to God=s Will

A. Jesus= demands of believers point to a three-fold submission. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (Matthew 16:24)

1. Submission actually expands opportunties.  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  (Luke 9:23-25)

2. Where is a believer focusing?  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.  (Luke 9:26)

3. Introspection B Self-Analysis B can=t explain the Christian life.  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:  (Colossians 1:24)

4. Spiritual people take the long perspective on Providence and opportunity.  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  (Hebrews 11:24-26)

5. Concentration on Jesus helps interpret what at first appear to be disadvantages.  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (1 Peter 4:1-2)

B. Leaving the old ways and adopting the new ones are two sides of the same process.  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (Titus 2:12)

C. Are you seriously interested in mercy?  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  (Isaiah 55:6-7)

 D. Change or die. Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  (Ezekiel 18:30-31)

I. Jesus Illustrated Proper Submission

A. The Christian pattern for submission is the prayer Jesus made on the night of the betrayal.   Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  (Luke 22:42)

B. In refusing to settle for the world=s standards and patterns, believers change into something more acceptable to God.   And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  (Romans 12:2)

C. Who actually directs your life?  When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.  (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

D. The conflicts which trouble believers develop naturally because believers can=t fit in with the world.   If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  (John 15:19)

E. With whom do you want to be in harmony?  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (John 17:14)

F. Worldly attractions are a trap.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  (1 Corinthians 3:19)

G. Believers become illustrations of grace at work.  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  (Ephesians 5:10)

III. Assume the Best in Providence

A. Act with confidence God had a gracious purpose in placing where He did with the resources He gave you and in calling you to His service there.  Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.  (1 Corinthians 7:24)

 B. Look for the potential in every opportunity. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  (Colossians 3:23-24)