THY WILL BE DONE by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1879

THY WILL BE DONE.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Selfishness and self-will are very nearly related to each other, each sin is of the same family. Selfishness covets that which is not its own, and leads to theft and murder and almost every variety of crime. Self-will seeks to have its own way, and its natural fruit is injustice and hatred. It exalts itself and will not yield; and if it cannot rule, it will seek to ruin.

Christ came from Heaven to earth to save men from their sins. He set an example for us to follow. He laid aside his glory, and took the form of a servant. He was with his disciples as one that served. He came not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent him; and in his deepest trial and sorest temptation, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death, he could say, “Thy will be done.” Not as I will, but as thou wilt.

The great lesson for the disciples of Christ to learn is to follow him. “Learn of me,” he says, “for I am meek and lowly of heart.”

He gave himself for us. We owe our all to him, and we should willingly give him all. He was a servant to us; we should cheerfully serve him. And to serve him is to serve those for whom he died. He bids us work in his vineyard. He yielded his will, and drank the bitter cup. It is those who renounce and subdue self-will that will have a part in his inheritance. When we say, I will, and I will not, we do not follow Christ, nor exemplify his meekness and gentleness. The apostle Paul followed Christ. Said he, “I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” When we have the same spirit, we shall be able to follow such advice. Let all be of this mind.

R. F. COTTRELL.