To will and to do

What is the only thing we can take with us to heaven? The Bible says we can't take physical things and we can't take money with us (1 Timothy 6:7, Psalm 49:18), but we do take our personality, our character with us.

Willpower and self-control

A strong character consists of two things: willpower and self-control. Many people mistake temperament for strong character, but that is not true. A strong personality is not determined by the strength of the feelings that overwhelm a person. The strongest people are those who control their feelings and are able to forgive their enemies. The will is then guided by conscience, standards and values and not by feelings and circumstances.

Our will is the king on the throne of our heart. It rules over all our other attributes. The will is not simply our preference, but the decisive power, the ability to choose. Everything depends on the proper functioning of the will. The will is the source of all our actions.

The will, which is such an important factor in character, was surrendered to the power of Satan at the Fall. He has been working the will and working in men ever since, and to the total ruin and misery of man.

But the sacrifice Jesus made for us enables Him to say, "Surrender yourself to Me, give Me your will, take it out of Satan's dominion and I will take possession of it, then I can work in you, both to will and to do My good pleasure." (Compare with Philippians 2:13.) Then your will becomes His will. Your character is changed and becomes like that of Jesus.

The proper functioning of the will

The proper working of our will requires practice, for by nature we are inclined to bend all things to our own intentions and be guided by our sinful feelings rather than God's principles of love.

Our minds gain resilience and strength by exercising the will. We must practice decisiveness because a divided state of the will is a trap. We cannot serve two masters, not both God and mammon (Luke 16:13). “… Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Our big Example, Jesus, says: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38. Jesus considered God's will more important than His own will. He let His human will be guided by the divine one.

“'Learn of Me,' says Jesus; 'for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest.' We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God." Desire of Ages p. 330.2

We must be trained here on earth for life in heaven. Knowledge of the Lord Jesus is essential for this. This knowledge extends far beyond just knowing the Bible intellectually and who God is. It also involves a personal, intimate relationship with Him. And stemming from that love for the Lord will change our actions according to His will.

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalms 40:9. The Hebrew word for will in this text is 'ratson'. It represents a concrete response of a superior to a subordinate. When used in relation to God, it can signify a blessing from God to man.

In Psalm 40, 'ratson' means a voluntary or self-willed decision by man to do God's Law. His laws were dictated by God's own nature. His nature led Him to be concerned about the well-being of His people. Ultimately, His laws were what God wanted His people to be and do.

Self-will

Does this mean that we ourselves no longer have any say? Does it mean that, if we believe, we must lay aside our own will completely and become a kind of puppet of God? Certainly not!

Jesus is a gentleman. He knocks at the door and waits for us to open the door.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. Jesus wants to establish a relationship with you. He wants to help you with everything. God is willing to give you His infinite love and eternal life if you are open to it. But the choice to let Jesus into your heart is a decision you may make voluntarily.

The Spirit of God also does not create in the converted person new characteristics, but causes a decided change in the use of those characteristics. Your will is then guided by a renewed conscience. The human will is blended with the divine one. God will not do our part in wanting and working; it is a cooperation.

Change

From the relationship with God comes change. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Because of your love for and trust in God, your outlook on things changes. You will make different choices because you don't want to live like you did before. It won't be long before Jesus will come back to pick us up. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7. Exercise your character so that with God's help it becomes fit for heaven. Train your willpower and self-control. Live according to the will of God.