What is God's Will?

John 7
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 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.


Though Jesus was doing great signs to show He was the Son of God, the Pharisees and religious leaders were not buying it. Jesus showed up halfway through the Festival of Tabernacles, where all the Jews gathered for this special occasion. During the middle of the festival Jesus got up to teach and the people were amazed. Since Jesus did not take the traditional route of education for a rabbi, they were amazed at his teaching, though he was uneducated. Or, we might say from a human standpoint.

So, Jesus tells the people that his teaching does not come from any human, but straight from God. You can imagine how this went over with all of the religious professionals. You can bet they were thinking, "Who does this guy think he is?" This would not be the first time that the Jewish leaders would reject Jesus' teaching. But Jesus does not take offense at their insults. He merely says, "If you want to see if my teaching is true, obey the will of God." What he is saying in effect is, if you don't believe me, apply my teaching and you will see that it it true. And why is it true? Because He is teaching God's will.

Sometimes we get caught up trying to understand the most complicated passages in the bible. While there is nothing wrong with dealing with difficult passages, why don't we focus on and apply the ones that are clearly and easily understood. Maybe it is just too simple to apply the passage, "Love your neighbor as yourself!" But guess what? When you listen to and apply this teaching you are doing God's will and it will always be good for you. Or, "give and it will be given to you." Meaning when you give, you always get back more in return than you have given. Why is that so? Because it is God's truth, which is clearly taught in the bible.

Like the miracles/signs Jesus performed, His teaching pointed to who He was as the Son of God. He did not claim originality in His teaching, but taught what His Father told him to teach. Again his teaching pointed to who He was. So maybe when someone is doubting the Christian faith, they don't need another argument, they need to try out what Jesus taught. Then, they will experience the truth that sets them free, and realize that Jesus is who he said he was. This is not works righteousness. Meaning they are not saved by these works. But by doing the works Jesus called for, they are being led to believe in Him as God's only Son.

How about you? Are you living your life according to the clear teaching of the Scripture? Do you discover on a daily basis the will of God by doing the plain and simple things God called you and I to do. Might not be a bad idea.

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