Love God's Will

Acts 20:22-23 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
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Acts 21:10-14 After we had been in Caesarea a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
 
NOW and future – these two Bible passages serve as bookends to Paul’s farewell speech to Ephesus. Paul reflects on his faithful life to the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Prison, hardships and bondage define Paul’s future. Is he sure he wants to go to Jerusalem?
   He is so sure, he is willing to die for Jesus. Paul understood the Spirit had compelled him. To compel is to force, to demand. We don’t like to consider God is a forceful King, demanding us to do what he says. But he is.
   It is difficult for many of us to know God did not call us into a discussion about his will for our lives. We like to believe we are free to negotiate his will with our will, don’t we? Do you think Abraham or Moses agree with that idea? What about Peter’s response? Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter when Peter objected to Jesus’ prophecies of his betrayal and death? Matthew 16:23-24 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” These are hard, compelling words; the Master demands obedience.
   Paul loved Jesus. His passion was to continually live in the fullness of the Lord’s love. He went to Jerusalem knowing he was not in bondage to the world. Paul rejoiced he was bound in an eternal love with Jesus.
   Are you praying, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” prepared to respond to Jesus’ will? Even suffering becomes sanctifying when you know Jesus commands you to it.