What is the Will of the Father?

By Harold Sadlier

November 1, 2024

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thes. 1:8-9) 

What does it mean to “obey not the Gospel?” Is it doing many wonderful things for Jesus, in the name of Jesus?

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

No, it is not doing anything for (Jesus). 

“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (v 21).

Is doing the will of the Father obeying the gospel? What is the will of the Father? Apparently, it’s not doing all these wonderful things. 

A Point to Consider

To the saved:

• Are we to feed the hungry? Yes. 
• Does God want me to clothe the naked? Yes. 
• Does God want me to shelter the homeless? Yes. 

But, if this is all I do without sharing and spreading the gospel, then all I am doing is making the world a better place to go to hell from. 

Thrust into eternity, clothed. 

Thrust into eternity, fed. 

Thrust into eternity……

So again, what is the will of the Father? What does it mean to obey the gospel? 

Back to 2 Thessalonians 1, see verse 3:

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.” 

Why does your charity abound? Because  your faith grows exceedingly. 

What is the will of the father?

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17: 30-31).

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

The will of the father is that none perish, that all would believe!

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).

Conclusion

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

 

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