The Will

Romans 7: 15, 18b-19.

 

We are created in the image of God, so our wills are part of the image of God in us. God has a will! Psalm 135:6

We have free wills. Revelations 3:20 We are free to open the door, or to keep it closed. Jesus has given us that freedom to choose.

Aspects related to our wills.

• Our willpower.
• Our self-discipline.

Number 1 Sin has spoiled our wills. We can be weak-willed. We can start something with good intentions, but then give up too easily.

What are some areas in which we can be weak-willed?

Firstly: food. God loves us to enjoy food. Look at all the feasts in the Old Testament. And God gives us all things richly, to enjoy, as 1 Timothy 1:17 tells us. But of course, as with everything there has to be a balance! Especially when things are very “more-ish!”

Secondly: putting the necessary time into practising things we are interested in. There is a wonderful principle in Galatians 6:9 which encourages us “not to get weary in doing good,” because in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. We need willpower when it comes to practising something we have committed ourselves to doing. The amazing thing about this day and age of the internet is that there are so many opportunities we can take to learn new things. But just like when we were young and learning our musical instruments, or practising our rugby passes, we need willpower to persevere in something we decide to learn. I started learning Korean, but eventually gave up. Ian, on the other hand, started learning on Duolingo, and he doggedly persevered until he got up to Day 788. I call that perseverance and willpower!

Thirdly, on a slightly different angle, what about our self-discipline when it comes to taming our tongues? James 3 tells us how such a small part of our body can have huge consequences, with careless words, or gossip, or unkind words. It’s so easy to speak out without thinking, or to react with negative words when we’re feeling tired or stressed.

Number 2: Our redeemed wills. A redeemed will is part of our total salvation.

Firstly, we bring our wills to the Cross, and say, “Lord, sometimes I am weak-willed. I give in too easily. I don’t persevere. Or I don’t have self-discipline as far as my words go, and I shoot my mouth off before I think. Please forgive me. Take my will, and give me strength each day, Lord.”

Secondly, it is always a constant battle throughout the Christian life. In the passage we read in Romans 7, Paul says, “I don’t do what I want to do.”

We say, “I’ve got a heart after You, Lord. But I don’t do what you want.”

Then Romans 7 moves on to the glorious Romans 8, where we are told that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Thirdly, the Christian’s goal is to will one will with God. That is our aim. Jesus told us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I personalise that and say, “Lord, Your will be done in my life, in ME, as it is in heaven.”

Romans 12 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. WHY? So that you can prove what is the WILL of God. His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Finally, submitting our wills to God will give us a new freedom, a true freedom. “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) We have a glorious liberty as we are set free to do the will of God. As Charles Wesley says in his great hymn:

“My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”