If you’re a believer in Christ, the bible presents a sure way to know you’ll have entry into your inheritance into Jesus’ coming kingdom. Jesus Himself said this: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). When Jesus’ mother and brothers were seeking Him, He asked the rhetorical question; “who are my mother and brothers?” He followed with this answer; “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35). The apostle Paul said this in his letter to the Ephesians: “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.“ (Ephesians 15:15-17). Paul told the church at Colossae that he constantly prayed for them asking; “That you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10).
Knowing God’s will also is the secret to answered prayer. The apostle John tells us this: “Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”, “and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1John 5:14, 3:22)
Yes, knowing the will of God takes some effort on your part. Studying your bible and learning to listen to Holy Spirit are the major ways that lead toward automatically discerning God’s will in every situation you find yourself in. Paul beseeches us in Romans “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2). The rewards for living a life conforming to God’s will are beyond comprehension.
The following verses from Hebrews and 1John speak for themselves. “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, He who is coming will come and not tarry’.” (Hebrews 10:35-37). “And this world is passing away, along with the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:17)
Maranatha, Jim