Devotional #124

Question 124. Which is the third petition?

Answer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”; that is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will (a), and without murmuring obey thy will, which is only good (b); that every one may attend to, and perform the duties of his station and calling (c), as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven (d).

(a) Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Titus 2:11-12: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

(b) Luke 22:42: saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Ephesians 5:10: and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

(c) 1 Corinthians 7:24: So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

(d) Psalm 103:20-21: Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

For your personal reflection:
How is God’s will worked out on earth as it is in heaven?  When Christians are brought by the Spirit and Word of God to the obedience of faith.  Sorry.  There is no other way.  And, all revolves around obedience.  Notice, also, that this is both an individual and corporate call.  Sadly, many belong to churches that are no longer faithful.  They may even recognize their church/denomination to be unfaithful and think it doesn’t matter because they still read and believe the Bible.  The fatal flaw in this thinking is twofold – first, the Christian life is not simply personal but corporate, and secondly, part of my personal obedience to Christ is to belong to a church that enables me to obey Him together with other Christians.  When I belong to a denomination that is faithful to the Word and led by the Spirit I then, with my fellow Christians, serve and advance the cause of Christ rather than the cause and dominion of Satan.