DOING THE WILL OF GOD

When God revealed Himself to man, He did it not through a philosophical treatise or a complicated book, but through a human life (John 1:18). Jesus taught always from God, but He did not teach a great deal about God. Yet He "declared" (brought out, exegeted) God by His daily life.

Christians can evangelize without a word, by a proper life (I Peter 5:1-3). We weekly proclaim Christ's death without a word (I Corinthians 11:26). God's glory and power are heralded throughout the earth without a word being spoken (Psalm 19:1-3). In baptism we asked God for a clear conscience, without speaking a word (I Peter 3:21). The power of action is great indeed, and says much. This lesson deals with the importance of doing the will of God.

Body

I. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO LEARN OF GOD, OR EVEN TO TEACH OF GOD. WE MUST PRACTICE WHAT PLEASES GOD (Matthew 7:21,24-28; Luke 6:27-36; Titus 2:13,14; 3:5-8).

II. ALL WE HAVE DONE IN COMING TO CHRIST IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT A LIFE OF ACTIVE OBEDIENCE THEREAFTER.

   A. Faith is invalid without doing (James 2:20).

   B. Hearing is useless without doing (James 2:22-25).

   C. Repentance is empty without doing (Matthew 3:7,8).

   D. Confession is valueless without doing (Luke 6:46).

   E. Baptism is meaningless without doing (Galatians 3:26,27; Colossians 3:1-3; Romans 6:3,4).

III. SCRIPTURE THROUGHOUT STRESSES THE URGENCY OF DOING.

   A. Jesus taught us to do the will of God (Acts 10:38).

   B. We must do good to all men, not simply wish them well (Galatians 6:10).

   C. The responsible Christian is one who has done (I Timothy 3:2; 5:9, 10).

   D. Commended Christians are ones who did good works (Acts 4:36, 37; 9:36ff).

Conclusion

Jesus declared God -- by His life. We are to glorify God by our lives (Matthew 5:13; 1 Peter 2:11,12). We should give an answer to outsiders, prompted by our lives (I Peter 3:15,16). It is not enough to have a talking religion; it must be pure and undefiled - doing good (James 1:27). Decide now to make your association with Christ real and vital in all your daily activities. Be busy doing what pleases God, now and always.

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