Sometimes we look around and see the world as descending into a state of depravity. We are witnessing murders of the innocent, slothfulness with an attitude of entitlement, greed and sexual depravity. As Christians with a godly world view most would probably agree. We shake our heads and grieve the loss of the innocence of our children and long for a return to a love and respect for the ideals we find in scripture. I wonder why God holds his hand of wrath in a world so corrupt. It seems as if we must be living in the end times approaching the return of Christ. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God," 2 Timothy 3:1-4. As we pray, we often do not even know where to begin in petitioning Christ for revival in the world. The issues are so great I find my heart's desire difficult to articulate. Christ taught us to pray. "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:9.
The first thing we are to request, the desire of our hearts should be that God's will be done. That sounds wonderful and like the very thing to hope for but do we really realize what that means or do most of us think that just means that all the bad guys get what is coming to them and there is no more heartache for those who love Him. Well. . . that is part of it, but when we ponder the full meaning I wonder if some Christians would have God's will as their heart's desire.
Picture the world if God's will were accomplished through His children like this: The government does not provide for the needy, that is the churches job. Welfare would not exist, and those who do not work but are capable of working go hungry. "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10. For those not capable of caring for themselves, their care falls to the church. This is accomplished by everyone in the church tithing the amount of their income BEFORE taxes because that is "the first" tenth. Then the church would have the resources to provide for the widows, orphans and the poor. “When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled," Deuteronomy 16:12. If God's will were really done on earth then every little petty grievance we have with one another would be forgiven and we would have united hearts toward ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ, not just if those who hurt us are appropriately contrite and ask for forgiveness. "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Colossians 3:13. If God's will were to be done on earth we would cheerfully give whatever is asked of us to whomever does the asking. "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Matthew 5:42. If God's will were really done on earth church discipline would be carried out purging the church of anyone refusing to turn from their sinful ways after being rebuked and righteousness is attempted to be restored. "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." Matthew 18:17. If God's will were done on earth we would humble ourselves to every authority in place over us that does not contradict God's law. This is regardless of if we think they deserve it or are qualified. "Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 16:2. If God's will were done on earth we would work six days a week and rest one. "Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest,. . ." Exodus 23:12. If God's will were done there would be no adultery and no divorce, we would love our enemies. ALL who call themselves children of God would be a part of a local church body and serving the Lord according to the gifts he is given. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25. We would not be entertained by shows like Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, or even Golden Girls, that make a mockery of the sanctity of marriage. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8. I could go on and on.
Wow, that was a long paragraph! But I think I made my point. When we pray for God's will to be done on Earth, we are not just praying that everyone else do what they are suppose to do. That is a call on our own lives for God to work His perfect in US as well. That is all encompassing. We must allow God's will with our finances, our words, our actions in public and in our own home, and even allow God's will to be done in our thoughts. There is no such thing as insignificant disobedience. The world will be much different than we can imagine if God has His way here. It would also be much more infringing on our lives than we would care to admit. It is so challenging to turn the mirror on ourselves. How often when we are hurt or angry do we stop to examine OUR fault in the matter. That takes real spiritual maturity. Are we really ready for "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven?" If so, we are moving even closer to Christ.
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