The Will of God - Disobeying
Notes
Transcript
Disobeying God’s Will
Disobeying God’s Will
This section focus specifically on the believer who disoberys God’s will. The unbeliever lives constantly in disobedience so the will of God is not applicable to them.
But the Christian no longer lives in disobendience.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
We used to be “sons of disobedience” but now we know what right.
So this passage speaks to those who know what is right and then dont do it.
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
These people know the will of God but choose to disobey it.
This attitude expresses even more pride than does the first; for the person says to God,
“I know what You want me to do, but I prefer not to do it. I really know more about this than You do!”
21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Why do people who know the will of God deliberately disobey it?
I have already suggested one reason:
1: Pride.
1: Pride.
Man likes to boast that he is the “master of his fate, the captain of his soul.” Man has accomplished so many marvelous things that he thinks he can do anything.
Another reason is
2: Man’s ignorance of the nature of God’s will.
2: Man’s ignorance of the nature of God’s will.
He acts as though the will of God is something he can accept or reject.
In reality, the will of God is not an option; it is an obligation.
We cannot “take it or leave it.”
Because He is the Creator and we are the creatures, we must obey Him.
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Because He is the Saviour and Lord, and we are His children and servants, we must obey Him.
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
To treat the will of God lightly is to invite the chastening of God in our lives.
3: Many people have the mistaken idea that the will of God is a formula for misery.
3: Many people have the mistaken idea that the will of God is a formula for misery.
Just the opposite is true!
It is disobeying the Lord’s will that leads to misery.
The Bible, and human experience, are both witnesses to this truth.
And even if a disobedient Christian seems to escape difficulty in this life, what will he say when he faces the Lord?
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Consequence?
Consequence?
What happens to Christians who deliberately disobey the known will of God?
1: Punishment.
1: Punishment.
They are chastened by their loving Father until they submit.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
If a professed believer is not chastened, it is evidence that he has never truly been born again but is a counterfeit.
God’s chastening is an evidence of His love, not His hatred.
Just as we earthly fathers spank our children to help them respect our will and obey, so our Heavenly Father chastens His own.
Though chastening is hard to take, it has a comforting truth of sonship with it.
2: Lost rewards
2: Lost rewards
But there is also the danger of losing heavenly rewards.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Paul compared the believer to a runner in the Greek races.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
In order to qualify for a crown, he had to obey the rules of the game.
If any contestant was found to have disobeyed the rules, he was disqualified and humiliated.
Disobeying God’s will today may not seem a serious thing, but it will appear very serious when the Lord returns and examines our works.
22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The will of God is not something to be trifled with. God is sovergin, he is God.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
The will of God is not an option.
He has made his will plain in scripture.
And if we love him as we say we do, we will seek and iobery his will.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.