A. Introduction

This model prayer, known as the Lord’s Prayer, has much we can learn from, but we will be giving our attention to this part, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We are reminded here that right now God’s will is not being done on earth as in heaven. We should give careful thought to this and to our own lives in this regard, especially in light of what Jesus said shortly afterward in the Gospel record.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

We learn here from Jesus that only those who do the will of God will enter the kingdom of heaven. Tragically, many will point to some things they may have done in “Jesus name”, perhaps some sort of “good works”, expecting to enter the kingdom of heaven. But at the same time they never really fully embraced the will of God for their lives, they never repented of sin and received Jesus in a real and personal way as their Savior and Lord. These people Jesus said will be sent away and they will not find a place in God’s eternal kingdom. The apostle John echoes Jesus teaching when he warns that we should not love this present world and many of the things in it because, as John put it, they are, “not from the Father”.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

The apostle Paul also warns that we should be very careful how we proceed in life. We dare not be foolish and waste our time here on earth, but we must try to understand and do the will of God, so that are lives are pleasing and acceptable to Him.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

“….we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects” (Colossians 1:9-10)

Realizing then how important it is to understand and embrace the will of God, let’s take a look at a portion of scripture that may help us to better understand the three-fold will of God for every person’s life.

“….the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)

We have already said, in our third main point on the home page, that we believe it is God’s will that all men believe in Jesus and be saved. This is the first part of God’s threefold will for our lives, all three of which can be seen in verse fourteen. Let’s break that verse down to see it more clearly. In verse fourteen we learn that Jesus gave Himself on the cross of Calvary for three reasons:

1. To redeem us from every lawless deed

2. To purify for Himself a people for His own possession

3. To make us a people zealous for good deeds

Here then we have the threefold will of God for our lives!

1. Salvation: We believe in Jesus and we are redeemed

2. Sanctification: We live in obedience to Jesus and our life is purified

3. Service: We follow Jesus example by serving God and others.

Salvation must come first! There can be no sanctification, that is, no purification from sin and inward transformation, nor can we truly bear fruit for God in service to others until we are saved and reconciled to God.

Let’s begin then by looking again at Salvation, the first part of God’s will for our lives. Please continue to the next page to learn more.