Active Obedience
“For I have come down out of heaven, not that I should do my will, but the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38 NASB
Will – There are two words in Greek that are translated “will.” Knowing the difference between these words is crucial. The first is thelo. It means intending to do something and carrying it out. It is purpose plus performance. The second word is boule. This version of “will” means to intend, to design or to decree, but not necessarily to press into action. Unfortunately, our translations of the New Testament rarely if ever distinguish between these two. Take a look at Ephesians 1:11. Which Greek word do you suspect you will find there? Is God’s will irresistibly pressed into action or is it His intended purpose still requiring execution? Look at Mark 15:15. Which word do you think describes Pilate’s desire? Now look at Romans 9:22. Is God’s willing described by thelema or boulomai? In English it is often very difficult to know.
When Yeshua says that He has come to do the will of the Father, the Greek word is thelo. This implies that Yeshua has not come simply to indicate, plan, pronounce or reveal the Father’s design. He has come to execute it. Yeshua is the one who delivers God’s message in active, living reality. He is the message in the flesh. His purpose is to accomplish all that the Father planned. “For this reason I have come into the world,” is not a doctrinal statement. It is a declaration of action.
Let’s step back and consider what this means. We often hold up Yeshua as the standard of Christian behavior, and rightly so. He is the incarnated vision of God’s intention. But we also tend to think that Yeshua’s role was so different than ours that there can be no comparison. He came to save the world. We are just tagging along behind Him. In order to overcome this subtle deception, we need to realize that thelo applies to every disciple. We can’t die on the cross as the perfect sacrifice, but we can do the will of the one who sent us. What is that will? If we look at the life of Yeshua, we see that the will of the one who sent Him is the perfect execution of Torah obedience. It is active agape toward both men and God. Notice that Yeshua says He did not come to do His will. His plan doesn’t matter (as we see in the Garden). What matters is the will of the Father. But the will of the Father has been expressed since the opening of Genesis. To do the will of the Father is not merely to die on the cross. It is to do all the will of the Father revealed in God’s interaction with Israel. If Yeshua died on the cross but failed to embody the rest of God’s instructions, He would not have done the Father’s will.
The Bible assumes we can do all the will that the Father revealed to us. That’s what Torah is all about. God’s intention (boule) must become our purpose (thelo) just as the Father’s intention became the Son’s purpose. The only question we must answer is this: When Yeshua looks at us, does He see boule or thelo?
Topical Index: thelo, boule, will, purpose, John 6:38, Mark 15:15, Romans 9:22, Ephesians 1:11
Thank you, Skip, this really meant a lot to me this morning!
At the incarnation and the birth of the Messiah, G-d became a man. Voluntarily. Love must be voluntary, it must never be forced. He chose this path, long before the foundation of the world. Calvary was in the mind of YHWH long before A&E came on the scene. There is never any panic in heaven, only plans.
We are in the middle of a love story. “The Divine Romance” (by Gene Edwards) gives us a glimpse of glory, yet to be. Yes, it does get better and better as the days roll on.
We must also remember and not forget (as did Adam and Manasseh and a host of others) there is yet another event soon to be. Yeshua is returning for His bride (of which we are a part) that has been forming from every kindred, tribe, nation and tongue. Unredeemed humanity was totally unprepared (well, except for the wise men) for His first advent. Will we be ready for the second? lol!- G-d loves surprises!
For years I struggled with “the will of G-d.” I truly did not understand what this meant and lived as if my head was in a cloud. I will confess to all who read these words, I am a simple man and am one of those who love simple things and simplicity itself. There is a simplicity to be found “in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11.3).
Elohim loves diversity. Elohim loves unity. There is unity in diversity. What is the will of G-d for me? What would a simple-minded man say to this? “Whatever He says unto you, do it.” Obedience to the (already) revealed will of our Father. Where do we find the will of G-d? (What pleases Him?) We (already) know the answer! Yes, (amen) the will of G-d is revealed for us (all) in the written word of G-d. Brothers, sisters, -let this be our answer: -“it is written.” Oh how I agree with my Master,- “we do err, not knowing the scripture (every word of G-d is pure), nor the power of G-d.” (Mark 12.24)
My goodness..- are we traveling in circles? Why not a straight line? Straight line obedience. What did Yeshua say? Let us allow the Ruach HaKodesh- the HOLY BREATH- to remind us- (lol!- again!) “If you love me- (do we love Him?)- keep my commandments. “Do this” and you will live. – Whatever He says unto you- “do it.”
Wisdom is better than gold. (Solomon says..) What is the wisest thing a man (any man) can do? Obey G-d. What is the best thing I can do for my children’s sake? Obey G-d. What is the wisest thing I can do for my family’s sake? Obey G-d. What may I do for my employer’s sake? Obey G-d. How may I fit into my community and nation and be the best most productive citizen I can be? Obey G-d. Is there a better choice anywhere anytime than to obey G-d? What are the consequences of obedience? “Try it,” –you’ll like it..
Skip,
From a young age I believed that Yeshua is who He says He is but have felt convicted that I have been lead astray as to what it means to follow Him. I am drawn to what you write by the challenge and depth of your writings. Your challenges are pushing me into a greater state of discomfort. The more I read, the more luke-warm I feel. I am called to Torah but am not fully convinced and feel like I need to take the plunge or walk away from all of these teachings. My close friends like these insights but don’t seem to get it and I feel lost not personally knowing a single “Christian” trying to walk in the Torah observing footsteps of Yeshua.
What makes all of this more difficult to walk away from is that your teachings on ‘ezer made me furious when I heard you speak. Now I have a wife who is coming more and more to life as I treat her as my ‘ezer. Thank you!
Even still, being on the fence hurts and I am not ready to move off of it. I imagine you get very frustrated with these teachings too sometimes.
I don’t get frustrated some of the time. I get frustrated ALL the time. Imagine spending your life in theological education, including degrees from fairly famous institutions, and discovering that you have had only one side of the story. Imagine working in churches and seminaries and finding a consistent resistance to the full view. And then, of course, there is the daily battle over what I now consider God’s instructions for living regardless of time and culture.
But don’t despair. First, you are NOT ALONE. There are 700 readers of Today’s Word and some of them do interact here. Who knows, there might be another one near you. Secondly, your wife sees the truth of this (she probably always did) and now you are seeing that it actually works. So, how can you think of staying on the fence? Get off the barbed wire before it cuts you to death!
And by the way, it’s OK to get angry. Angry is good if it gets you motivated. I get angry a lot and that usually results in another Today’s Word.
I don’t know what else to say right now other than “thank you.”
Our culture insists that the ideal is not practical or reasonable. When we observe or hear of someone acting so we find it easier to minimize their behavior, than be challenged by them. What are we really afraid of?
Mother Theresa was criticized more by Christians than by non-believers; all because they could not get past her creeds. Never mind her deeds or others like her that sought, and in some cases continue to be, sacrificially beneficial to others; especially to those who could not return the favor.
For more on this I recommend Philip Yancy’s book “Soul Survivor”. Trust me on this. You’ll thank me later.
Our Bible states, “we (now) have the mind of Christ.” Like Ragu spaghetti sauce- “it’s in there!”. I do, you do, every follower of the way does. So what is our “malfunction” that we cannot do as He did- “who went about doing good?” -Love G-d, love you neighbor.
I rather liked what my former pastor once said,- “the Christian life is not difficult, -it’s impossible.” Pretty heavy-duty stuff. But then, (on the other hand-lol!) we are reminded (through G-d’s word)- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” May I pause here for a moment?- Who is it that strengthens me? Who is it that strengthens you? It is the LORD. It is ADONAI. “Christ in you, Christ in me, the hope (certainty) of glory (beauty.)
We (all) are a work in progress. Until death do us part, G-d is working in us, “both” to will and to do of His good pleasure. I am not who I was, neither am I who I am becoming. I am a work (G-d’s work) in progress. I am being changed and so are you. Some days -small steps, other days- quantum leaps, but ever forward and ever onward- “it all adds up.” And may I say also,- I like the changes I see. There is a Way that leads unto life and His name is Jesus. Blessed be the name of the LORD.