THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE!

Born again believers are so concerned that someone would think they could earn their way to heaven, that they rarely ever speak of Jesus as Lord, of the Father having a will as to how His children act, and that believers often grieve and quench the Holy Spirit!  We emphasize Ephesians 2:8-9 which reads, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."  Yes, "grace" is "unmerited favor," and yes, salvation is a gift and therefore cannot be earned by works, but at the moment one is born again, God becomes our Father!  Children are to obey their father!

The Scriptures tell us that upon our accepting of God's Gift, Jesus, God begins transforming us into the likeness of the One who ALWAYS OBEYED HIS FATHER (Heb. 4:15)!  Paul wrote that he was:  "...confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6)!  In the Book of Romans, Paul stated it this way:  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren"  (Rom. 8:28-29).

Even the very clear message of how one receives salvation, states that it is acquired by calling upon name of Jesus, and His title indicates we understand we are to obey His will.  Paul wrote:  "...the Word of faith, which we preach; that IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Rom. 10:8-10, 13).

How often do believers, without giving the Lordship of Christ a second thought, carelessly pray "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Mt. 6:9-13).  When Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth, He will come as the "KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:16)!  Do you really think we should wait until then to begin obeying Him?

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).