“Thy Will Be Done”

Note that Jesus included the words “Thy will be done” in His model prayer that He gave to His Jewish disciples.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 (KJV)

Though this prayer does not apply to us as grace believers as a whole during today’s age of “the dispensation of the grace of God,” the phrase “Thy will be done” has universal application to all believers of all Biblical ages. Our eternal destiny as grace believers of this age concerns “the heavenly places,” where we will ultimately co-reign with Christ, not the kingdom to come on earth in which Israel will reign with Christ (Rev. 5:10, 20:6).

The question is this: What exactly are we praying when we ask God to execute His will in all that concerns of our lives, unto eternity?

I would say that first, only a believer who has come to know the unconditional “love of God” and tasted of the peace of God that passeth understanding” can dare pray such a prayer as Thy will be done.”

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (KJV)

7 And the PEACE OF GOD, which PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, shall KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me [Paul], do: and the God of Peace Shall Be With You. Philippians 4:9 (KJV)

So many people, Christians included, live lives of trepidation and fear. For they have not “both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me [Paul and his 13 epistles]. Actually, fear, is the normal emotional reaction to an event or potential injury and so it affects all humans. The issue how do we handle the issue or event at hand.

Today, as we see the darkness of man’s decaying society worldwide and the challenge to know the peace of God and remain at peace. Today fear has plagued the vast majority of people even while they may put on a false face or otherwise bury their heads in the sand, denying reality of Satan’s reign over the earth and its governments.

We as believers can face the issues at hand so long as we know and trust in the truths of “the word of God” for us today. If we know the truth of what to expect and the truth of God’s unconditional love and security that is eternally ours then we are equipped to be secure, being “established in the faith.’

25 Now to Him [God] That Is of Power to STABLISH YOU according to my [Paul’s] gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [Gk. musterion, God’s secret plan of the ages], which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest [revealed], and by the scriptures  Romans 16:25-26a (KJV)

Above we see how Paul says we can become established in the faith’ – by the words of his mystery gospel that he has delivered to us in his epistles. Sadly, few Christians have placed Paul’s words for us in the forefront of their minds.

Here below Jesus and Paul instruct us in the way of enjoying life and peace that come through the Spirit and the Words of the Truth of the Bible that apply to us believers.

Jesus said His words are “spirit and they are life.” This is universal truth for all dispensations or ages.

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [the natural mindset] profiteth nothing: THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE. John 6:63 (KJV)

Thus, Paul, who later received the words he wrote directly from the ascended Lord Jesus for us today, here draws a contrast to reveal important information. Paul contrasts those unintelligized Christians who live by ‘the flesh’ and the natural inclination and mindset of ‘the flesh’ that stirs up fickle emotions, with … that of the intelligized Christians who know the word of God and Have Their ‘Minds Set Upon the Spirit’ who reveals and encourages us in The Truth as applies to us in this age.

5 For they that are [living] after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh [the natural fallen mindset];

BUT they that are after the Spirit [mind] the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally [fleshly] minded is Death [deadly to our soul’s confidence]; but To Be SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE. Romans 8:5-6 (KJV)

Paul elsewhere explains exactly what we are to expect of society in this fallen age and its “last days.”

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a [fake] form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning [according to the fleshly mind], and [thus] never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)

May we be those who are equipped to live in these “last days,” always maintaining our confidence in the words of the Lord to us.