John 7: 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.”
Do you choose to do the will of God? How do you know what that is? Has it led to a knowledge of whether Jesus was speaking God’s word or speaking on his own?
Jesus says that a person who “chooses to do the will of God” will find out if his (Jesus’) teachings come from God or if he is speaking on his own. This brings to mind one of the stories of the Apostles’ persecutions. In Acts 5 we read that Gamaliel, a Pharisee, argued caution against acting rashly. He said, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, … you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Q: Can you share an example of a time when doing the will of God has affirmed your conviction that Jesus is the Son of God?
Bonus Question: Have you ever found yourself fighting against God?
The bonus question is easier to answer than the first…lol
For me the first example that jumps out from my life is in the case of a camper from the days when I worked at Camp Gifford. He was physically disabled and recently placed in foster care. The ten year old was angry and thought belief in God was silly, but he heard the gospel a few years in a row and the third year he believed in Jesus. I was his counselor the first two years. There were many people (especially good foster parents) who had a positive impact in this boy’s life, but I remember the day I heard he was on staff and read some of his posts about how he loved sharing Jesus with others. I saw how the hope and value found in Christ transformed his life, he is an incredible person who had endured much and praises God despite it all. Seeing the change in others has always been a great encouragement to me.
Bonus… my attitude toward school/intelligence during high school and my Associates degree was rebellion against God. It went horribly and required some painful changes in my heart attitude/life, but I am glad for it.
Well, I find myself fighting against God frequently. Whenever my will clashes with His, there is always at least some struggle. Obviously, I need to mold my will to His to call Him Lord – easier said then done.
As for the non-bonus question… For me to have accepted being a pastor, when I fought it (sometimes still do) has confirmed to me that Jesus is who He said, simply because I sense His power to do what He has called me to do.