THY WILL BE DONE by R. F. C.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 21

THY WILL BE DONE.

By R. F. C.

THE great lesson of Christianity is to give up our will and submit to the will of God in all things. This is to follow Christ, who came not to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him. The will of Christ as the Son of God was in exact harmony with the will of the Father; but in the form of humanity he was subject to the temptations of human nature, yet without sin; for the very reason that at all times he submitted his will to that of his Father.

The great lesson that the Son of God came to teach us is to renounce our own will and follow the example which he has given us. Firmness in regard to doing right regardless of opposition is a good thing. The Lord would have us firm and fixed as the hills and rocks in principles of right, which are clearly revealed in his word. But we should not mistake our stubborn prejudices for righteous principles. The Lord suffers these to be crossed, that we may learn to submit. In regard to those things in which others have a right to differ from us, the “I will” and “I won’t” must be taken out of us, before we are fit for the kingdom of God.

Therefore we must learn to bear with patience with those who differ from us. They may be wrong, and we verily believe they are; but if they are, the trial is just what we need to try our spirit of forbearance and submission. So we must not be too positive in these things, but follow our convictions and let others follow theirs. To be submissive in the circumstances which God permits to surround us, is to submit to the will of God. R. F. C.