The ‘will’ is undoubtedly the most sacred and private part of a human being; the one region into which we can invite or dismiss all others in the universe. The will directs the thoughts, the words and the actions. The ‘will’ is like the driver in a motor vehicle or the captain of an ocean liner. In the final analysis it is the ‘will’ that decides the course a person takes and the destination at which he/she arrives. Let us examine what the Scriptures have to say about the human will.
1 Samuel 16: | 7: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
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1 Corinthians 1: | 26: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28: And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” |
Look over the church membership and notice how true is verse 26.
Joshua 24: | 15: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
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1 Kings 18: | 21: “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” |
Wholehearted Discipleship
Joshua 14: | 8: “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9: And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.” |
Deuteronomy 1: | 35: “Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, 36: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.” |
Matthew 22: | 37: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” |
1 Samuel 16: | 7: “...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
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Luke 16: | 15: “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
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1 Thessalonians 2: | 4: “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
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Revelation 2: | 23: “...I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” |
Hebrews 10: | 7: “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”
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Luke 22: | 42: “...Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” |
Mark 3: | 35: “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.” |
John 7: | 17: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” |
1 John 2: | 17: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” |