COUNT IT ALL JOY

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COUNT IT ALL JOY

James 1:1 James, a servant of IAUE and of the Master Yahushua Messiah, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Most scholars believe that the epistle of James (literally, Yakov) is the first of the New Testament books, written before the gospels and before any of the letters of Paul.  This is an important fact to know because when people read the opening verse, it appears to be a letter that is dedicated to Hebrew believers, to the express exclusion of gentile converts to the faith; because Yakov specifically writes to the believers in “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.” (“Brethren” is found 15 times, and “faith” 12 times in this short letter.) The reality is that from the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) through the first 25 years, the gospel was propagated exclusively to the Jews.  Discipleship to Yahushua Messiah was exclusively a Jewish expression.  Eventually, Saul began to oversee the official persecution of the church of Yahushua in Jerusalem.  This persecution resulted in the scattering of the believers throughout the region.

Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his (Steven’s) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

So, when Yakov writes to the disciples in the twelve tribes, he is writing a general letter to the entire church, a church that has been persecuted.  Many of the believers had been jailed. Many had been put to death. The intended readers had fled their homes and their belongings to escape the wrath of Saul.  Life had become, in a moment’s time, a life or death matter of survival.  In the heat of such hardship and persecution, Jacov instructs the disciples:

James 1:22 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

It is important to understand that these were the very first words of instruction from Jakov to the church of Yahushua Messiah.  The believers are instructed to consider every difficult situation in their life as an occasion for joy.  One might easily understand the birth of a child as a cause for joy, or one’s graduation from college, an unexpected promotion, a wonderful gift…but all of these are pleasant and desirable experiences.  Jakov says to count it ALL joy…no room for displeasure, complaining, grumbling, etc.  How is this possible, and why would he give such extraordinary instruction?

The word used for “temptations” (peirasmos) refers to trying experiences that put you to the test to prove your mettle.  It can refer to temptation to sin; but it is broader than just that.  It is anything that is a perceived hardship, difficulty, trial or temptation. Specifically, it is anything at all that puts your faith to the test. Jacov instructs the believer to look at every single temptation or trial with joy because they put our faith to the test.  The reason to be joyous about this is because every such occasion is an opportunity to observe just how overcoming faith can be; and to observe the change for the good that these trials can bring about in our lives if we relate to them correctly.

The parable of the sower, taught by Messiah himself, made us realize this would be a natural part of the believer’s life.

Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

If you study “this parable of the sower,” you will see four types of ground (which represents the varying conditions of man’s heart).  The seed is sown in all four types of ground; and based upon the nature of the ground, different “temptations” are successful at stealing the seed sown. The objective of the sown seed is the bearing of fruit; and only one kind of ground produces fruit. All of the attacks against the seed are essentially designed attacks against the heart.  As our faith is tested, so is the purpose of our heart to cleave to Yahushua being tested (Acts 11:22).

Jakov knows that as the disciples dispersed and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, they did not go in controlled units, each having an experienced pastor or teacher.  They were going to be found in the synagogues (See James 2:2  “assembly” is “synagogue” in the Greek), wherever they went; and the Scriptures they heard were going to be the readings during the Sabbath service.  He needed to insure that the disciples would not be reduced to living as do the unregenerate/unbelieving Jews that attended synagogue with them.  They needed to shine as the light of the world; hence, the spirit of Yahushua within them needed to have all obstacles to his manifestation in their lives removed.  Thus, “count it all joy” was his primary message.  It is the obstacles of life, the hardships, the temptations, the persecution, the afflictions of life that most readily produce a fleshly response from us; but if we look at those through a different lens…if we see them as a venue through which the flesh can be crucified and the glorious Master  Yahushua can shine through our lives…changing us from glory to glory in the process, every single testing of our faith becomes a joyous occasion…a splendid opportunity to become more like our Master.

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

That fourth ground does not mention any attacks against it at all.  All of the attacks are in the first three types of ground/heart; because once the heart is perfected in faith, the assaults against it are not even perceived to be attacks at all because when one looks at the attacks with a joyous perspective and allows their faith to be proven with patience in the testing, faith rises to the point where what once was perceived to be a test is no longer even considered a test.  It is hardly a gnat to be swatted off the skin.  Faith once proven in the test cannot be tested by the same thing a second time.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Notice here that even our Master’s faith was tested in order to perfect it.  He was our forerunner to demonstrate how it is done; and how success at every level of persecution and hardship can be achieved without failure.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yahshua the son of Elohim, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The Scripture says much about the basis for our faith to endure the test; and with patience to await the manifestation of the victory that faith convinces us is ours.

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but IAUE delivers him out of them all.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but IAUE is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of Elohim for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

“COUNT IT ALL JOY,” is not a suggestion.  It is a command of Scripture.  A few verses later in the epistle, Jakov say to be a DOER of the Word and not a hearer only.  This is one of the things we are to DO.  We are to count it all joy when we experience trials to our faith…when we experience temptations to walk in unrighteousness.

Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Yahushua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of IAUE.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Remember the lessons from our recent study on Academic Knowledge vs. The Truth.  We are not to “count it all joy” as an academic response.  Joy has an object.  It is not something that exists on its own.  If you cannot see the hardship, the test, as a means unto a glorious end, you cannot have real joy.  When difficulties arise, you must immediately perceive it as an opportunity for the Master to prove within you that your faith is more than enough to enable you to endure the trial without sin; and that the outcome will be a stronger faith and more of the nature of Yahushua free to manifest in your life.  If THAT is not a strong enough object for you to be joyous, maybe you need to come to Messiah in repentance for the first time in your life; because once born again, the nature of the New Man, the New Creature we become in Messiah Yahushua, will find that object more than enough to count it all joy.

ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS and FEAR IN THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE

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ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS and FEAR IN THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the IAUE be Elohim, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

The Hebrew word for “anxious” is saraph, which means “disquieting thoughts.”  It is based on a root word, caiph, which means “divided in mind.”  It is the word used in the above verse for “two opinions.”  Interesting, isn’t it, that disquieting thoughts/ anxiety is indicated here in the uncertainty of which god to worship. Elijah the prophet instructs the people to make a choice and cease their uncertainty of thought which has created anxiety within them.  Can you imagine, when the state of one’s eternity is on the line, to be uncertain as to which god you should align your life to obey and serve.  That would cause considerable unrest of soul.  James tells us in the New Testament:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of IAUE, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of IAUE.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James explains how to fix double mindedness; and in so doing he exposes the cause of it.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to IAUE, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

An impure heart produces options in your thinking.  A double-minded man is one who has not set apart his life to pursue only one option, the will of IAUE.  That willingness or openness to consider any other alternative is what creates an impure heart, an unclean heart, a divided heart; and such a double-minded condition will thwart every effort to mature in Messiah because you will forever be weighing the will of IAUE against your own will.  This double-mindedness will also be the wellspring from which all manner of fears will arise in your life; and which can be capitalized by the enemy of your soul.

Job speaks of this anxiety in a way that is all too familiar for people who have anxiety attacks.

Job 4: 12 Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it.
13 Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men,
14 Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake.
15 Then a spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh bristled up.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice: (NASB)

Here we see the whisperer as the source of the anxiety attack.  Job was awakened from sleep by an anxiety attack.  He says that dread came upon him and trembling.  All his bones were shaking.  Fear had gripped him in a way that was instant and out of control.  Then he says that a spirit passed by his face…thus identifying the nature of the source of the panic attack.  It was a spirit that caused it.  Anyone dealing with anxiety attacks can know for a certainty that they are being tormented by a demonic spirit.

Solomon tells us:

Proverbs 3:25  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Do not make more of a panic attack than what it is.  It is nothing more than the sudden harassment of an evil spirit.  Solomon understood this and warns us not to let sudden fear run its course and cause us to worry or to be anxious about it.  We need not fear sudden pangs of fear.  They do not originate from any legitimate foundation within us for which we should be concerned.

Psalm 94:19  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (NIV)

David says that when anxiety grips him, he considers the love, goodness, mercy and comforts of IAUE, His consolation, and joy overwhelms him and destroys his anxiety.

                                                                                                                           

The words “anxiety” or “anxious” do not appear in the King James Version of the Scriptures anywhere. The words used in its place are “care” or “careful.”

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Elohim.

In this context, Paul is referring to the general cares or anxieties that come from living in the world; those fears that come upon us when we are not trusting in IAUE and the pressures of life compress our thoughts.  This would not be the same thing as a panic attack.  This type of fear does not arise from the sudden torment of an evil spirit.

In the parable of the sower, we see the cares of this world in a context to demonstrate its effect in a person’s life.

Luke 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

The cares of this world render the Word of IAUE of no effect in our lives.  Anxiety is the evidence of lack of trust in IAUE.  In the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6), Yahushua compared anxiety about the necessities of life with the nature of the Gentiles, those who are lost and without a covenant relationship with IAUE.  As the covenant people of IAUE, we are told to give no anxious thought, not even to what we are going to eat or drink or wear, the foundational requirements for sustaining life.  This is of particular interest when we understand that it is through the fear of death that the devil holds mankind in bondage to him (Hebrews 2:14-15).

2 Timothy 1:7  For IAUE hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

IAUE does not give us fear.  The ONLY healthy fear in the Scripture is the fear of IAUE; and that fear works righteousness within us and holy living.  IAUE has given us a spirit whose attributes can be expressed in terms of POWER, and LOVE and A SOUND MIND.  None of those attributes are consistent with what one feels when experiencing a panic attack; so we can be positive that such fear is not coming to us from IAUE; and if not from IAUE, we can be certain it comes from the enemy of our souls. 

Panic attacks are torment; and they should not be tolerated.  The sure and immediate way to deal with a panic attack is to command the evil spirit to depart in the name of Yahushua; and then to praise IAUE for His love, goodness and mercy…citing specific illustrations of how He has demonstrated that to us personally. 

Anxiety about life, too, should not be tolerated by the disciple; and the remedy to that fear is to cast it upon IAUE.  No soldier enlisted or conscripted into an army has any need to concern himself with the necessities of life.  Those are taken care of by the authorities above him because it is their responsibility, not the soldier’s.  The soldier need never be concerned about his life’s needs.  They aren’t his responsibility once he says, “I do” to become a soldier.  The same is true of us when we bow our knee to the mastery of Messiah Yahushua.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the Elohim of love and peace shall be with you.

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Elohim perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Why halt between two opinions?  Why be disquieted in mind?  The remedy is to commit to the will of IAUE as your life’s objective and your chiefest joy.  You will cease being doubleminded and will become fearless in the love of IAUE.

THE DIVINE PLEASURE – Part 4

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THE DIVINE PLEASURE – Part 4

John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Let’s recap what we have studied on this point so far.  IAUE created all things for His pleasure.  At the very core of all creation, the designed function and purpose of all things is to do IAUE’s will…to follow and observe His every wish or desire. This is not because IAUE is an egotist or is selfish and receives satisfaction knowing He is the center of our lives.  It is because He knows that it is only when we are wholly given to do His will that WE are fulfilled; because that is when we enter into the very function and purpose of our creation. Consequently, it is only when we are doing His will in place of our own that our lives reach their fullest potential of achievement and satisfaction (and that is not measured in terms of achieving worldly success or goals.)

IAUE has designed man to be at his happiest and most joyous and most complete and most content when we are fulfilling our designed purpose…to do the will of IAUE.  It is very much in the same way as when we were young children.  We made special efforts to do things for our father, just hoping it will make him smile, make him pleased.  If we saw that satisfaction and pleasure registered on his face, our whole being was flooded with excitement and pleasure. (I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of memories of this very thing from my childhood.)

When IAUE created man, He created him “very good.”  Man lost this goodness in the fall; when he chose a different path for his life.  When man chose to please himself instead of IAUE, he was separated from IAUE.  In forfeiting his goodness (his righteousness), he also forfeited the ability to be fulfilled as a man.  He introduced to his very nature an impassable obstacle to being restored to an ability to fulfill his designed function.  Without his goodness, man cannot please IAUE.  Nothing can arise from or proceed forth from a fallen nature in order to produce righteousness; for every thought and action of fallen man originates from darkness.  Man must be redeemed by someone who is outside the “system” of fallen humanity.

Enter the Messiah.

People have debated the virgin birth ever since Isaiah first prophesied it would happen; but since the fallen nature is passed from one generation to the next via the seed of man; it is obvious that a perfect redeemer cannot come from the coupling of a man and a woman.  The virgin birth of Yahushua was absolutely required in order for the redeemer to be born “good.”  By having IAUE as the source of Mary’s pregnancy, it guaranteed that her son would be born righteous as he would not be corrupted by the fallen seed of Adam.

Scripture prophesied Yahushua’s “designed purpose” in Isaiah 40:7, which is restated in the New Testament.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will (His wish or desire), O Elohim.

Before we ever see Yahushua begin his 3-year ministry, we receive the benefit of IAUE’s account of the 30 years of his life up to the moment he came to John (Yohannes) for baptism.

Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Later, well into the third year of his public ministry, at the “mount of transfiguration” IAUE gives us an update on His son.

Matthew 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Why was he well pleased?  It is because Yahushua came to do the will of his Father, only.  Scripture says that the words he spoke were the Father’s words.  The works he did were the Father’s works. He always did those things that pleased his Father. 

It is only in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night he was betrayed, that we ever see that Yahushua had a will that was capable of being independent of his Father’s will when he prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done.”  (Luke  22:42)  Even in death, Yahushua realized his life would not be complete without pleasing his Father in this one last decision to suffer and die for Adam’s race.  The writer of the book of Hebrews captured Yahushua’s attitude about this decision.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Yahushua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.

Now, we can speculate on what the object of his joy was in this verse; but given his life, it seems obvious that the primary joy he had in giving up his life through such torturous means was the satisfaction it would bring to his Father. So, even in death, our Master was experiencing the joy of knowing that what he was doing was pleasing his Father.

Messiah’s half-brother, Yacov (James), wrote about this seeming contradiction in his epistle; obviously having learned it from Yahushua.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

We are never to measure our obedience to our Father by the amount of hardship or suffering it brings into our lives.  There isn’t a cut-off point at which time IAUE will simply understand it was too much to ask of us.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but IAUE is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Sooner or later, we will tend to make this life about us; and our comfort zone will begin to dictate the depths to which we will go or not go in our obedience to the will of IAUE.  We must recognize this as a temptation and count it all joy that our faith in Yahushua is more than enough to bring us through unto the good pleasure of IAUE.  The joy of His smile is worth more than any hardship or difficulty we could ever face.  It is imperative that we understand this, believe this, own it and make it real in our life.

Once you see it, you will find it throughout the New Testament; especially in the writings of Paul. He begins all of his letters with a blessing that his readers would receive grace (the power IAUE gives man to enable him to do His will).  He frequently prays for the various churches to know the Father’s will; and how to equip themselves to know it and do it.

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of IAUE unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim;

I would encourage you, over the next week (or for the rest of your life), to pray this prayer for yourself and for several other people, by name, whom you know. Make the knowledge of IAUE’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding your highway to walking in a manner worthy of Him unto all pleasing.

THE DIVINE PLEASURE – Part 3

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THE DIVINE PLEASURE – Part 3

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O IAUE, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The sooner we commit to this life, a life of pleasing IAUE, the sooner we are going to discover how everything IAUE has given to us works through that medium of shared pleasure in each other.

Imagine your father as a master toymaker.  Now, imagine that when you were a young child, he spent much time and care to insure perfect precision as he crafted a unique and special toy for you. Your father imagined it would bless you and make you happy and give you something enjoyable to play with; and that with every minute of play it would remind you of your father’s love for you; and keep fresh in your own heart, your love for your father.  This toy was designed for a very special purpose, that it would bind your heart to your father, and his heart to yours in a very strong loving relationship.  Of course, your father was not trying to buy your love.  He was trying to express to you the greatness of the love he already had for you.  The toy would simply serve as a bridge to demonstrate to you how much your father loved you. The knowledge of his love for you would make irresistible your loving him in return.

Now, imagine, you received the toy with joy.  You hugged your father, thanked him; and with great excitement, you ran off to play with your new toy.  Not much time passes, however, that your brother or sister comes in while you are playing with your new toy; and they want to play with it, too.  You pick up the toy and hit them with it.  Eventually, you just hide the toy so no one can play with it. 

I know not everyone has a father that they can imagine having such love for them; but the Heavenly Father does love us this much, and more. He devised a plan to demonstrate His great love for us; and over 4,000 years, He laid down clues for us.  Finally, all of his clues came together and His son was born into the earth. The Master Toymaker had given unto us the perfect demonstration of how great was His love for us.  The “toy” is now in our hands.  What will we do with it?  Will we look upon it with joy causing our hearts to sing out to the Father of our love for Him? Will it inspire us to live in a manner that keeps a smile upon the face of our Father; or will we use His “toy” to judge and condemn others?  Will we use His “toy” to make us feel more special than others, even though we know the Father designed the “toy” for all mankind, or will we set it aside, or even hide it from others?

I know this is a crude illustration; but IAUE gave His son to be born, to live, to die and to rise again, to awaken us to His great love for us and to provide a bridge back to His arms. When first we recognize this and embrace Yahushua Messiah as the Father’s gift to us, our life is filled with excitement and wonder and new purpose; but not much time elapses before most of us lose our regard for how special was the Father’s gift; and it shows up in our neglect of Him in the way we live our life.

Man was a part of the Father’s creation.  In the day he was created he was “very good.”  However, man’s selfish choice separated him from IAUE.  Man became broken and no longer “good” in the eyes of IAUE. Through Yahushua Messiah man becomes a part of the “new creation,” and he is restored to righteousness in Yahushua Messiah.  His new creation is “very good,” and he is again able to think, and to speak and to do that which is well pleasing in the Father’s sight.  This IS the purpose of the redemption that is in Messiah Yahushua; to restore us to that loving relationship where all we are and all we do is for the good pleasure of our Father.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O IAUE, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

This word “pleasure” is translated from the Greek, “thelema.”  Specifically, it refers to one’s wish or desire.  All but twice in the New Testament, this word is translated “will.” Think about it. Sin is defined as our doing that which is contrary to the will of IAUE.  Our disobedience to the will of IAUE is what demonstrates our rebellion against Him; but actually, it more specifically demonstrates our own refusal to behave in the manner for which we were created.  The Father’s will is not a disciplinary route for us to follow---step out of line and He will spank you. No, it is a guide He gives to us to aide us in fulfilling that for which we were created.  His will is our path to freedom, joy and fulfillment.

It is our time living in the kingdom of darkness that trains our mind to think that our own wish or desire is what is truly important; or that it at least has strong value and should be regarded on par with the will of IAUE.  That is why so many believers, today, still pray to find out what His will is in a matter, then compare His will with their other options.  Such action is in itself rebellious. To compare the Father’s will with worldly options is to denigrate and dishonor the Father’s wisdom for your life.  His will is ALWAYS designed to produce the “very good” out of us…that thing for which we were created in the first place, and lost; then created anew in Messiah to restore.

Proverb 14:12 (16:25) There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.

One would think we would only need to read this verse once; but until we embrace the purpose of our creation, and our new creation; we will continue to value our will, our wish and desire.  We must cease looking at the Father’s will for our life as a directive…as do’s and don’ts…as a law imposed upon us.  No, His will is the expression of His love for us, a path for us to demonstrate the “very good” He has created us to be; and in our following His will, to perpetually generate an atmosphere of mutual love between us and Him.  

We were created for His pleasure.  He loves us.  He did not create us just because He was bored and wanted to watch us run around like chickens with their heads chopped off.  He created us for relationship and for fellowship.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Yahushua Messiah.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that IAUE is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahushua Messiah his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I think it is perhaps IAUE’s integrity we question as believers. Because we do not correctly perceive and understand the nature of His will for our lives, we feel we must caution ourselves against His giving us a less than good or safe direction for our lives.  Our unrenewed minds still house thinking that makes us believe we need to be worldly-wise about how perfectly we should follow the will of IAUE.   It is almost heretical to state such a thing, but in all honesty, we must recognize that this is at the bottom of most of our disobedience to His will.  It is a lack of trust. (This thought deserves a whole study in itself; but I trust the Holy Spirit will take care of that for you.}

Roman 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of IAUE, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto IAUE, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

The apostle Paul recognized this dilemma; and it is why he gave us this instruction.  This passage is possibly one of the best known passages of Paul’s writing known by those who profess to be believers in Yahushua; but so little acted upon by them.  Why is this?  It is because we still have not resolved this matter of the reason for which we have been created.  We have been created for the pleasure of IAUE; and in fulfilling that purpose, we fulfill our own lives.  So, it all boils down to knowing and doing the will (the wish or desire) of IAUE; and the one think that stands between us and that goal is an unrenewed mind.

Notice that when we take the steps to renew our mind, beginning with yielding our physical bodies to Him to do with and direct as it pleases Him, the fruit of such action is that we will “prove” that which is His good and acceptable and perfect will for our lives. This word “prove” is from the Greek, “dokimazo.” It means we will be able to test and know that it is genuine.  It will enable us to be absolutely certain of our Father’s wish and desire for our lives.  It will lead us to our path home to the heart of the Father and to the fellowship He so longs to share with us.