To do God’s plan, or my plan, is an ongoing battle for every person. Perhaps you are struggling with this today and are unsure how to follow God’s will for your life. God’s plan always leads us to a closer relationship with Him, while our plan leads us away from God.
When John the Baptist ministered, He drew many people out into the Judean wilderness. There, he preached a message of repentance of sin. Unfortunately, some people refused to repent and be baptized because their hearts were hard.
Luke 3:3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. [1] The Lord gives us free will, but to follow God’s plan, we must give our free will back to Him. This is the way we allow God to lead us.
We Can Reject God’s Plan
Jesus began to talk to the crowd about John the Baptist. Luke 7:28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!” 29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. [2]
The average person believed the words of Jesus, but what about the religious leaders? They had lots of religious teaching, but had they taken the words of the Lord into their hearts? Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. [3]
God’s plan was for the Pharisees and the experts in religious law to repent of their sins and come to Jesus and receive salvation. Jesus wants everyone to be saved but gives us free will to love Him or walk away.
Choosing to Follow God’s Plan
Following God’s plan for our lives begins with being a person of faith. The next step is asking the Lord to guide you by His word and the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [4]
When people of faith have their minds transformed by the Holy Spirit, they become more like Jesus. As this happens, they want God’s will for their lives and not their own will. As God renews our minds, we discover over time that God’s will for our lives is good, pleasing, and perfect, just as Paul writes.
Are you willing to give up your plans for something greater that will change your life and those around you? Sometimes, we need to begin each day in prayer, asking the Lord, “Help me be about Your plan.” We are weak, but the Lord will strengthen us as we ask for His help. God’s plan or my plan? To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/johns-question-for-jesus
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.