GOD'S WILL FOR HIS DISCIPLES
(Robert H. Ricciardi)

In church we hear many sermons on what is God's will for a believer. Most of these sermons do not answer the question. The pastor or minister usually ends the sermon with the statement: Pray and wait for God's answer. This is an interesting statement but it really doesn't answer the question. For we pray all the time for God to direct us in a situation, but we do not always hear from him directly. The Bible however gives the basic answer for what is God's will for every true believer's life in every situation.

1. God's Will Is: That No Man Should Perish And That all Men be Born Again

God's will is that all men should be born again (become a disciple of Jesus Christ) (John 3:3). God also desires that no man should perish, but all should come to repentance (become a disciple of Jesus Christ) (1 Timothy 2:3-6, 2 Peter 3:9).

"Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah - Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, 11:1-5, 53:1-12). "He that believes on him (Jesus Christ) in not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed on the name of the only unique son of God" (John 3:18).

2. God's Will Is: That All Men Should Be A Doer Of His Word and Not a Hearer Only.

"Therefore whosoever hears my word, and does them, I will liken unto a wise man, which built his house upon the rock (Jesus Christ is the rock): And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew (a hurricane), and beat upon the house; and it fell not, for it was built on the rock. And everyone who hears my word and does not do them, shall be like a man who built his house on the sand: and when the rains fell, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell, and great was its destruction" (Matt 7:24-27)..

"But be doers of the word and not hears only, deceiving yourselves"(James 1:22)

3. God's will Is: All Men Should Love Him And Their Fellow Man.

God in the Old Testament gave us the Ten Commandments called the moral law and he gave us the two Great Commandments, which are:

You shall love your God with your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might: and these words, which I command you today shall be in your heart (Duet. 6:6,7)

You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

Jesus reinforced these two love commandments in Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus said unto him, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Jesus however did not stop with the two great commandments, for he gave us to more love commandments.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you " (Matt: 5:43-48).

"This is my commandment that you (Jesus' disciples) love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:10-17).

So the will of the Father first is for every believer is to love everyone they meet. Hate their sins but love the person. However we must make Jesus our first love. If He is not our first love then we are not His disciples and we are not in His perfect will.

4. God's Will Is: For All Men To Willing Love God And Obey His Commandments

"For, this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

"He that loves (Phileo-brotherly love) father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that phileo loves son or daughter more than me is not worthily of me. And he that takes not his cross and follows after me is not worthy of me. He that fines his life ( lives for himself only) shall lose it (be cast forever into the Lake of Fire): and he that loses his life (gives his life to Jesus) for my sake shall find it (live forever in God's kingdom) "(Matthew 10:34-39).

"Beloved let us love one another; for the love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that cannot love, does not know God, for God is love(1 John 4:7,8).

Jesus speaking:

If you love (Agapeo: the meaning in the Greek is, "will to love") me, keep (obey) my commandments. John 14:15

There are three dynamics at work in this verse.

First: Jesus is stating that we must will ourselves to love. Him. Why? Because God desires all men to deeply love Him willingly. God will not force anyone to love Him.

Second: God will not force a person to obey His commandments. He wants all mankind in deeply rooted love to willingly obey His commandments out of agapeo love for Him.
Is Jesus asking us to do something we cannot do? The Answer is no is not. We can willingly love God and we can willing desire to obey His commandments. We must continually strive to keep God as our first love, and to keep His commandments. We can do this, because the Holy Spirit
who lives within us gives us the strength and ability to do so. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)

Third: What are His commandments that we must obey?

As believers we know that we must agapeo love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and we must agapeo love our neighbor as we already agapeo love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). However Jesus gave His disciples two more love commandments.

"I say unto you, agapeo love your enemies, bless (do good to) them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That you may be the children of your father in heaven:" (Matthew 5:44-45a) Here Jesus is commanding His disciples to willingly love their enemies and to willingly do good things for them.

"A new commandment I give unto you, that you agapeo love one another: as I have agapeo loved you, that you also agapeo love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love (agape unconditional love-1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)) one to another (John 13:34-35). Here Jesus is commanding all his disciples to love one another as He loves them. Are you willing to die on a cross for a fellow believer (1John 3:16)?

Read: 1 John 3:23-24
1 John 4:20-21
1 John 5:1-3
2 John 1:5-6

Jesus also had a lot more to say on this subject.

"Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). As disciples of Jesus Christ we must have complete understanding of what the will of God is.

The Ten Commandments

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill (to complete, to finish). For in truth I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no way pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these commandments and shall teach men to do so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven, but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Fort I say unto you. That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-30). Jesus clearly states that God's moral law the 10 commandments is in full effect and has not been done away with.

5. God's Will Is: That His Disciples Shall Be Servants Of All.

"But Jesus called them and said, you know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them and them that are great exercise authority over them. But it shall not to be among you, let him be you servant: And who whosoever be first among you let him be your servant: Evan so the so of man came not to be served unto, but to serve, and to give his life (soul) as a ransom (a payment in full) for many (those who will believe in him) (Matt. 20:25-28).

6. God's Will Is: His Disciples Always Be Forgiving And Merciful

Jesus stated: "For if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive yours also: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your

trespasses (Matt. 6:14,15). Here Jesus warns his disciples that the Father commands them to continually forgive trespasses against them in order to be saved.

7. God's Will Is, That His Disciples Continually Bear Righteous Fruit

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings forth not good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire (Lake of Fire). Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:15-20). The true disciple is known
for his fruit (Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 5:6-11). Good things done for other people, especially your enemy; continually glorifying Jesus Christ and His Father and not yourself.
A disciple is to be Holy as God is Holy

1 Peter 1:13-17: "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to former lusts (sins) in your ignorance; but as he which called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of

conduct; because it is written be holy as he is holy. And if you call on the Father who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work (fruit) pass the time of your sojourning (life) in fear (terror)."

Peter is talking to believers telling them to be holy as God is holy in all manner of conduct for God will judge all believers according to their works. Therefore every believer is to be aware

that it is a fearful thing to disobey God. Why? Because every believer, to the best of his ability, is to holy as God is holy for God will accept no less.

Rev.3:5: Jesus speaking to the believers in the Church of Sardis: "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels."

He Jesus states boldly, He will blot the believers name out of the book of Life if they do not change their evil ways.

Rev, 3:16: Jesus speaking to believers in the church of Laodicea: "So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot I will vomit you out of my mouth."

Anyone, Jesus vomits out of His mouth cannot be saved.

Matthew 7:21-23: "Not everyone who that says unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; be he that does the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many

wonderful works? And I will declare unto them I never knew you: depart from me you that work iniquity (evil works)."

Not all who confess Jesus (saying the sinners prayer) will he accept into His Kingdom!
Why? Because their works are evil.

Matthew 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins. Five virgins were wise (obedient believers) and five were foolish (not obedient believers). The wise virgins prepared correctly for the bridegroom (Jesus Christ). The unwise virgins did not think the bridegroom would show up at mid-night (the first part of the day according to the Jewish day, which stated at sundown. When Jesus was about to show up the unwise virgins were not ready because they were not obedient believers. When they finally got their house in order, they were not allowed into the marriage ceremony, because the door to heaven was shut. Thus they were not saved, for only the saints attend the wedding ceremony between Jesus and His bride (the Church-the called out ones (Revelations 19:7-9). Only the saved will be allowed into God's kingdom. Therefore the true believer is warned to watch - i.e., be prepared (continually living their lives according to God's commandments) as if Jesus shall come back at any moment.

There is no such thing as a carnal Christian. For he that lives his life continually to satisfy his fleshly desires shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-26, James 2:17).

What about Ananias and Sapphira ? Were they not guilty of lying to the Holy Spirit, and also of unbelief. I'm sure they said the sinners prayer, but they were killed by God as an example to all believers not to lie, or to grieve (not trust-speak against) the Holy Spirit.

What about Jesus statement in John 17:12; "While I was with then in the world, I lost kept them in your name (God's name): those that you gave me I have kept them and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that the scriptures might be fulfilled."

The unrighteous shall not inherit the God's Kingdom, so the scriptures might be fulfilled (Ezekiel 18:20-32). You will say this is for the House of Israel only, but you forget the church has been grafted into the same branch as the house of Israel. So the church must also measure up to God's measurement for righteousness. Yes, Jesus paid the price for our sins and we are now deemed righteous in God's eyes for our past failures. But Jesus said we must crucify our flesh daily and follow Him, we also must lose our life for his sake and never be ashamed of Him (Luke 9:23-26). This last part is our continual future work; the fruit that we as believers must continually display or we our deceiving ourselves. True believers are doers of the word and not hearers only. Only continual doers of the word shall be saved (James 2:17).

Luke 15:11-32: The parable of the lost son. The lost son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is and is found (vs. 24 & 32). Here the message is clear. The son that left his father to live a sinful life had lost his inheritance to be in the kingdom of God, but because he had repented of
his trespasses, he was alive again. To be alive again means he was dead before he had repented. To be lost means he was like an unsaved person. To be found means he is no longer lost thus saved again.

The son that had not left his Father to live a sinful life was never dead or lost. "And He said to unto him, son you have always been with me, and all that I have is yours"(vs. 32). This son continued to obey his Father thus was never lost of dead in his trespasses.

1 John 3:24: "And this is his commandment. That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love (agapeo-will to love) one another as He gave commandment. And he that keeps His commandments dwells (lives) in Him and He in him. And hereby we know that he lives in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.

We know we have eternal salvation when we continually live and abide by His commandments, for if we do then we have the Holy Spirit living in us so we will not commit sin. But we know that his Holly Spirit will convict our hearts when we do sin. "If we are quick to confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

God 's will is, that every disciple continually bear righteous fruit in their new life in Christ.

8. God Will Is: Put Off The Unrighteous Sins Of Their Past and Put On Continual Future Righteous Conduct

As disciples of Jesus Christ God's will for us is to put off the old self centered sinful man and put on the new Spirit filled righteous man. "But you have not so learned Christ: If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. That you put off
concerning the former conduct the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts: and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man, which God has created in
In righteousness and true holiness. Therefore put away lying, speak truth to everyman: for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; let not the sun go down on your wrath. Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more…Let no corrupt words come out of your mouth, but that which is good for edifying, that it mat minister grace to the hearers. And grieve (find fault, distrust) not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and loud quarreling, and evil speaking, be
put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:20-32).

"I say then walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other: so that you cannot do the things you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Know the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (sexual excess), idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery), hatred, contentions, jealousies, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, gluttony, carousing, and such like : as I told you before, they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit (conduct) of the Spirit is agape love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, against such things there is no law, and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passion and lusts. If we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desires of vain glory (seeking the praises of men), provoking one another, envying one another" (Gal. 5:16-28).

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked (outwitted): for whosoever a man sows (practiced conduct or behavior), that shall he reap (get back in return). For he that sows to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in doing well: for in due season (a the right time) we shall reap if we do not lose heart. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are the household of faith." (Gal.6:7-10

The will of God for his disciples is that we are to have no fellowship with darkness-which is unrighteousness.

9. God's Will Is, That His Disciples Love Not the Things of the World

"Love not the world, nor the things of the world. If any man loves the things of the world the love of God is not in him. For all the things of the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of the Father, lives forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

10. God's Will Is: That No Disciple Be Unevenly Yoke With A Non-Believer

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has a righteousness with lawlessness (unrighteousness)? And what communion has light (God -goodness) with darkness (Satan-evil)? And what accord has Christ with Belial (wickedness)? Or what part has a believer with an infidel (unbeliever)? And what accord has the temple of God with idols (false gods-evil desires)? For you are the temple of living God. As God has said: "I shall dwell in them and walk in among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Therefore, "Come out among them, and be separated says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, say the Lord almighty." Therefore Having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the God (2 Cor. 6:14-18, 7:1).

Whatsoever we do in marriage and friendship we should not be unequally yoked. In business it is some what different for we have to work for unsaved people, but this doesn't mean we become like them. But hopefully they will want to become like us when they see the Christ in us.

11. God's Will Is: That No believer Hide Their Faith

Jesus stated: "You are the salt of the earth (world): but if the salt lost his savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is therefore good for nothing, but be cast out (thrown away), and be trodden under foot (walk on as worthless). You are the light of the world of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-16).

Here Jesus clearly tells His disciples that they are never to lose their zeal for Him for they are the salt of the earth. Salt was used for seasoning food but its main purpose or use was stopping the putrefaction of meat. Here Jesus states that a believer is to always remain righteous (obeying God's commandments) for when he does he is doing God's work and therefore is highly valued.

However, once he stops being righteous he stops doing God's work and is good for nothing and thus shall be thrown away (not saved).

Jesus then compares salt to light. Light in the Bible refers to righteousness. A disciple of Jesus Christ is to be seen, easily recognized. A believer is never to hide himself, but to step out from the shadows of darkness, so his good works done out of agape-love for Jesus can be seen; that they are done to glorify God and not themselves. Whatever a disciples does it should never be to glorify themselves but always giving God the credit and the glory for their good works.

"You therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars (fights as a soldier for Jesus Christ) entangles (becomes involved) with the affairs of this life (worldly desires and pleasures), that he may please Him (God) that has chosen him to be a soldier" (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

A soldier of light (Godly righteous conduct) is trained for the war against darkness ( Satan's unrighteous conduct). Never work about not being liked or accepted by the world for Satan is the prince of the world. For as the world hated Jesus so it hates all true believers, but he that endures to the end shall be saved. (Matt. 10:22). "Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust there of; but he that does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

Summary

1. God's Will Is: For All Men Not Perish But Be Born-Again.
2. God's Will Is: That All Men Should Be A Doer Of His Word And Not A Hearer Only.
3. God's Will Is: All Men Should Love Him And Their Fellow Man.
4. God's Will Is: For All Men To Willing Love God and Obey All His Commandments.
5. God's Will Is: That His Disciples Shall Be Servants Of All.
6. God's Will Is: His Disciples Be Forgiving and Merciful.
7. God's Will Is: That His Disciples Continually Bear Righteous Fruit.
8. God's Will Is: Put Off the Unrighteous Sins Of The Past and Put On Continual Righteous Conduct.
9. God's Will Is: That His Disciples Love Not The Things Of The World.
10. God's Will Is: That No Disciple Be Unevenly Yoke With A Non-Believer.
11. God's Will Is: That No Believer Hide Their Faith.

For every believer to know if they are in God's will they must examine the 11 God will's above, to see if they are truly living their life according to them to the best of their ability, then they are in God's perfect will.

To answer the questions on what profession a believer should pursue, or should I take a certain job, or where should I live. I believe after praying and waiting on the Lord, however whatever decision you make God will honor it, as long as a disciple lives their life to honor God and not their flesh nature. Therefore whatever job you take be the best employee for the Lord. Be the

best employer for the Lord. Be the best husband or wife for the Lord. Whatever you do, always do it heartily unto the Lord, using also these Bible verses below to guide them and God will honor you.

Psalm 119:11, Your word I have hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against you.

Proverbs 3:5-12, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not own understanding.
In all your way's acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor detest his correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a Father (loves) the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 11:14, Where there is no counsel people fail; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Romans 8:28-29, And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He fore knew He predestine to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brothers.

Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded that neither death nor life can, nor angels, not principalities, nor powers, not things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depths, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has over taken you except such is common to man; but God is faithful who will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you might be able to bear it.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons are not carnal (fleshly) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (God's word), and being ready to punish all disobedience when you obedience (to God's word) is fulfilled.

Others to Look At:

Philippians 2:1-4,

Philippians 3:12-16,

Philippians 4:6-8,

Philippians 4: 13,19,

Colossians 1:9-10,

Colossians 2:8-10,

Colossians 3:16-17,

Colossians 4:6,

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22,

2 Thessalonians 3:13,

2 Timothy 1:7,

2 timothy 2:15,

2 timothy 3:16-17,

2 Timothy 4:1-5,

Hebrews 11:1, 6,

Hebrews 13:4-6,

James 1:2-5, 19-20, 22

James 2:5, 17, 26

James 4:10,

James 5:16,

I Peter 1:15-17, 23,

1 Peter 5: 5-11