38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
Coming down from heaven in direct obedience to His Daddy, our Savior announces to His hearers He is smack dab in the center of God’s desires. It is, in fact, the most secure and wonderful place to be you know – albeit always costly to the flesh. His agenda was His Father’s business, coming as God’s great Agent and mankind’s great Physician. Jesus’ whole life revolved around doing His Father’s will thereby bringing God much glory and lovingly doing good to all men, thereby offering mankind God’s Best. Loving God and loving others - is this not what every follower of our Lord is to be about? Is this not a gentle reminder of what life is to be about? I am reminded of Jesus’ response when asked to state the greatest commandment:
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)
There is a call from God of His followers to a volitional commitment of Him that is wholehearted, personal, sincere and comprehensive. In addition, we are to love our neighbor (one that is close by) as ourselves. In Scot McKnight’s book The Jesus Creed, he gives the following excellent definition of Biblical love:
“Love, a term almost indefinable, is unconditional regard for a person that prompts and shapes behaviors in order to help that person to become what God desires. Love, when working properly, is both emotion and will, affection and action.” Scot McKnight
“Love one another that it may at last be said of Christians as it was at first: ‘Behold how they love one another.’” Ralph Venning
As we allow this mandate from above to sink into our core we will begin to flesh out what it means to be fully devoted followers of Jesus – love God, love others. We are to let our lights shine and our lives speak through whatever circumstance God places or allows or orchestrates for His glory and our ultimate good. Just as Jesus set forth for us the perfect example, we are to be about God’s business - through the power of the Holy Spirit - and loving others – again through the power of the Spirit. I am a simple person. Having things boiled down so succinctly to the two most important aspects of life appeals to my senses and provides a sieve through which I can place all actions and motives. Do not be mislead – our motivations are extremely important and do not go unnoticed in the sight of God. Scripture tells us:
for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chron 28:9 (NIV)
2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Prov 16:2 (NIV)
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)
“Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done.” Teresa of Avila
Interesting point, God’s will never fails. If we want to be on the wining team - we best be on God’s side. If our desire is a life of purpose, passion and peace we must follow the Prince. I love the Old Testament’s real life examples and God’s promises fulfilled through these lives. We find the following encouraging words in Joshua stated by the great conqueror:
14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Josh 23:14 (NIV)
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalms 118:8-9 (NIV)
8 The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; Psalms 138:8 (NIV)
Jesus came to fulfill God’s will which He clearly stated in verse 39 – He will lose none that the Father has given Him but will enable them to stand again on the last day. It is not our righteousness that equips us to stand - they are as filthy rags in God’s sight. It is only through the righteousness of Jesus that we are not eternally lost.
“If there be ground for you to trust your own righteousness, then all that Christ did to purchase salvation...is vain.” Jonathan Edwards
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. John 6:39