Thy Will Be Done
The short excerpt is by Tim Keller and the scripture is Mark14:36 "Abba,Father," Jesus said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
If you believe that you are saved by works, you will say, "There is a minimum standard of life that God owes me. God can let me have a few problems but not major problems. I've paid my dues. I go to church. I just say no to all of these sexual impulses that I used to give into. Therefore, God owes me. Saying "Thy Will Be Done" is impossible if you believe that you are saved by works.
Thy Will Be Done means, "I obey you no matter what. I owe you everything, and you owe me nothing." That statement is only logical if you are saved by grace. God has the right to contradict and confront and the right to send things into my life that I don't understand. He has the right to do that with no explanation, and I must submit to Him as gladly as I possibly can.
An awful lot of people today I meet are very interested in being spiritual, but here's one of the things that they always say. "I want to meet God and be spiritual, but don't you tell me what's right and wrong. I have to decide what's right and wrong for me." You can't have a personal relationship with God unless you are willing to say, "Thy Will Be Done." If you have a personal relationship with someone in good friendships or marriage you're constantly having to say, "Not my will but your will be done."
In the garden of Gesemane Jesus wrestled with God. Blood was coming out of His pores, and He finally said, "Thy Will Be Done." This melts our hearts so that we can say, "Thy Will Be Done" too. To say that we have to look at Someone who has wrestled more than we have until it melts our heart with love, joy and gratitude. "Lord, if You said 'Thy Will Be Done' for me like that then I can say 'Thy Will Be Done for You.'"
Champions, have a great week!-David Vining
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