Our Response to His Will

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 9:00 am Post subject: Our Response to His Will

Our Response to His Will

Scripture:

And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear you, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse? For when the just turns himself away from his justice, and commits iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he has wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turns himself away from his wickedness, which he has wrought, and does judgment, and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considers and turns away himself from all his iniquities which he has wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.
( Ezekiel 18:25-28 )

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any depths of commiseration: Fulfill my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are of other men. For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause, God also has exalted him and has given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:1-11)

But what think you? A certain man had two sons: and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering said: I go, Sir. And he went not. Which of the two did the will of the father? They say to him: The first. Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of justice: and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.
(Matthew 21:28-32)

Reflection:

We are used to changing and updating. We revise laws and policies to fit new technologies and changing values. There are some who say the church is outdated. It needs to be modernized to fit the ways of the times. Though we have made discoveries of science and advanced in our technologies, if we examine the commandments of God, we should recognize how timeless they are, for what they are about is to encourage us in how we may live in love of God and one another. (Matthew 22:36-40)

The wicked certainly have a desire to change the ways of God, for they do not see the harm of their wickedness, nor do they desire to be held to account for the evil they spawn. The faithful see the blessings of the ways of the Lord and the opportunity He provides to share the ways of civility, the ways of compassion, the ways of charity, and the ways of love.

As we turn to the ways of God, we turn away from the snares of evil. We leave behind the miseries of our sin. As we repent, we receive His light so the darkness may be left behind and forgotten. Blessed are those who turn to Him, for He will guide them to His eternal kingdom and rescue them from the wickedness which strives to consume their soul.

The commandments of the Lord are the guide by which we may fulfill our potential. What do we gain in conflict but misery for another day? What we gain as we live by His commandments, though, is the blessing of love. We are all able to share love and in its sharing, so do its blessings grow.

God has laid the choice before us, follow the ways of evil or His ways of love. We might wonder, how is it we are seduced to even contemplate ways of evil, yet, it still spills forth from us? We appear helpless to control it, yet, it remains our choice. We might seek to justify the harm which we cause, but the truth is we make choices to follow our faults rather than the gifts the Heavenly Father created within us. We choose to follow our will of earthly desires rather than the will of God, which is the will of love.

We often make our choices based upon what someone else will think of us. We sometimes respond in the moment without thinking of the consequences of what we say or do. On some occasions, we react with good intentions, but fail in our commitments. We cannot undo the harm which flows from our lips or our hands, but blessed are those sorrowful for their faults, as forgiveness may be theirs; a forgiveness which gives light and renews hope; a forgiveness which comes forth for the contrite of heart.

As we pray, we must listen for His voice within our hearts. As we pray, we must seek to comprehend what He asks of us. As we pray, we must recognize He has built within each of us a gift of love to share. If we listen, He will guide us to our purpose. If we listen, He will guide us to those to which He desires us to minister. If we listen, we will see the blessings of His ways. If we listen, He will guide us to His kingdom where love is shared by all and where evil is not allowed to follow.

If today we hear His voice, let us harden not our hearts. (Psalm 95:7-11)

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways may we turn evil from our hearts?

In what ways may we participate in the blessings of His Word?

In what ways do we turn away from the ways of God and how might we repent?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier