John 7:17 If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
We learn in this verse that there’s a prerequisite to knowing and recognizing truth: a surrendered, obedient heart to God. One must be willing to do God’s will. Where does such a heart come from? It comes from God. Having ears to hear is a gift from God. It’s what makes them learners, disciples, and ultimately is the evidence that one is a child of God.
If someone isn’t willing to do God’s will, then they won’t be able to recognize truth when they hear it. The reality is that if self-ambition rules in the heart, then they won’t even consider a teaching that doesn’t enable or sanction their selfish desires. I’ve noticed this to be true after teaching for over 50 years. I ask myself, “Why can’t this person get the truth or hear what I’m saying?” This explains why. They want to do something that, if they accepted the truth, they couldn’t do. The desire or lust for whatever is so strong that they can’t tell that what is being taught is from God. In verse 7, Jesus echoed the point, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.” When Jesus taught, those who didn’t want to do God’s will, but rather wanted to do their own will, were exposed. The same dynamics occur today. When the truth is presented in words or in example, revelation takes place. For the person who is determined to do what they want, it reveals that one’s deeds are evil and the lack of the presence of God’s Spirit in their lives. Instead of a recognition of the truth and the goodness of God, out comes hatred toward the truth and those who speak it. Or it reveals one has a willingness to do God’s will. They recognize the truth because they are seeking to do God’s will. They want to please Him above pleasing themselves.
Those who are willing to do God’s will are able to receive the message of living to love with Jesus as their purpose in life. Why? Because they are willing to do it. As they do it, they know it is from God because the Spirit of God testifies to them by giving the grace to do it and the joy that accompanies loving with Him. We can thank God that we are willing to do His will. It is because He has loved us in Christ and given us ears to hear and given us hearts that are willing to obey what we learn to be His will. That’s the power of a surrendered, obedient heart.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
