Often in Scripture, “the Father’s will” is mentioned in one form or another. Have you ever considered just what that is, “the Father’s will?”

Point 1

Jesus’ disciples asked Him how they should pray. He gave them what is commonly, and incorrectly, called the “Lord’s Prayer,” in Luke 11:2-4, the shorter version, and also Matthew 6:9-13. By the way, the actual Lord’s Prayer is located at John 17:1-26, the entire chapter.

In the first verse of Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus says to His disciples,

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done [emphasis mine] in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9)

How often have we said those words and not even thought about, “What is the Father’s will?” I’m of the generation that was blessed to be able to say that prayer in school. I can’t imagine how many times I have quoted the disciples prayer in school, in church, other places and in private.

I think the remainder of these verses makes it clear that:

1.     We are to separate ourselves from profane things and dedicate ourselves to Him, thus “hallow His name.”

2.     We are to pray for the day that His kingdom will be likewise on earth and thereby His will accomplished.

3.     We are to pray for our daily sustenance.

4.     We are to ask forgiveness from Him, having already forgiven others who have harmed us.

5.     We are to follow His lead through the treacherous trails or temptation.

Point 2

In another passage, Jesus gives a frightening pronouncement concerning the Father’s will. It goes like this:

“²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father [emphasis mine] which is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Is it possible we could accomplish all these religious quests mentioned in the above verses, and still not be in His will, thereby not belonging to Him? Obviously, we could be very religious and outwardly saintly, undertaking many feats in the name of Jesus Christ, and still be lost. What does He want of us? The answer is in the next verse,

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” (Matthew 7:24)

So if our soul is not built on the rock, we are lost, even though we have done all those glorious things in the name of Christianity. That being the case, what is the rock? Jesus tells us in this passage.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

The Catholics say Peter is the rock, but that isn’t what Jesus said. Jesus said, Peter is but a stone, but He, Jesus, will build His house on a large stone. The rock, or large stone, was recognized in Peter’s acknowledgment that Jesus is God, and he accepted Him as such. Jesus, the Son of God is the rock, not Peter.  

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)

Now go back and look at Matthew 7:24 again.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them …”

Peter’s faith had feet. So should ours.

Point 3

Now let us look at two verses. They are:

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father [emphasis mine] which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

“Even so it is not the will of your Father [emphasis mine] which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

It is not the Father’s will that anyone should perish. Therefore, it is the Father’s will that His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, would pay the penalty of sin for mankind, thus providing man the only way back from his fallen nature to God. Anyone who is of the age of accountability can be rescued, but only through the Father’s provision of His only begotten Son. Those who die and have not reached the age of accountability will go to be with God. What is that age? I don’t know. That would depend on God’s decision for that particular person.

Point 4

In the next verse the Father’s will could not be clearer. Every true believer in Jesus Christ saved by the grace of God, the only way we can be saved, is guaranteed eternity security; i.e. once saved always saved (OSAS).

“And this is the Father's will [emphasis mine] which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:39)

If you have truly been saved by placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will obey His commandments. Will you do so all the time? Will you be perfect? Of course not, to both questions, but Jesus will live in your heart by His Holy Spirit, and it is the Father’s will that your place in Heaven is guaranteed. Period.

Point 5

On this last verse I’m going to stray from the will of the Father, to the will of the father of this world. He has many names, but we’ll just call him Satan. Any fool should know that the will of Satan is the absolute antithesis of anything that God stands for. If God is for it, Satan is against it. If Satan is for it, you can bet God wants nothing to do with it. So the last verse.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

Most anyone would be offended if you told them their father was the devil, as were the scribes and Pharisees who got the news from Jesus personally. I’ve never told anyone that, and will not do so. I’ll just leave that up to the one who has the right to do so. However, the facts are, if you are not in the Father’s will, you are most certainly in Satan’s will. You’re living for him, and he is loving every minute of it.

The Good News is in two previous verses we used, if you are one who would rather not be under the control of the head demon of hell. If you would rather not spend the rest of eternity in the lake of fire along with Satan, the antichrist, the false prophet, the fallen angels and everyone else who are in his camp, then these verses are for you.

“Even so it is not the will of your Father [emphasis mine] which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

“And this is the Father's will [emphasis mine] which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:39)

Today, you can choose to be in the Father’s will. What will you decide?

Grant Phillips

grantphillips@windstream.net

My articles are posted at “Pre-Rapture Commentary” http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com and many are also posted at “Rapture Ready” http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html