Knowing God’s will seems a daunting task to say the least. Paul the apostle said to the good folks at Corinth, “Who has known the mind of the LORD, that he will instruct Him? (I’m leaving off the good part of that verse for a moment, but we will come back to it). 1 Corinthians 2:16

I’ve known some folks during my life who thought they knew what was best for me. They often told me what clothes to wear, how to cut my hair (I wish I now had some hair to cut). Well-wishers I’m sure, they would suggest I change the way I think, or feel, or behave, to match their own preferences about the human existence. I even had a good friend who would intentionally, but playfully say, “Speaking officially for God…” then proceed to correct my mistakes according to the good Dr. S.P.H.

Perhaps as we begin this journey it would be good to remind one another, me to you, and you to me, what Jesus spoke to the crowds one day about how we should pray. But first, let’s remember the specific words he used, “Pray, then, in this way.” Many teachers and preachers have ascribed to the idea that this is some kind of magical or mystical prayer, which when recited verbatim obligates God in some way to hear their prayers for anything else they might desire. I am not so naive, and I don’t want you to be either. He spoke this introduction as a way to clarify his previous maxim. Listen again to what he said before this instruction.

“And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8) In such a simplistic way the Master is telling the crowd, God is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-aware of everything about you. Meaningless repetitions does not sway Him or His will.

So Jesus, the Master, gives us a MODEL of how to pray.

Acknowledge Him, revere His name.
Ask for His kingdom, and His will right now, right here, wherever here is.
Ask only for what we need today.
Forgive people.
Keep us from temptation.

Five simple thoughts of how true Christ-Followers are supposed to order their lives. But let’s just focus on the one critical verse in the model, verse 10 in Matthew chapter 6.

“… (Father)…Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

In it’s essence, the one praying must understand the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-aware attributes of God’s nature in order to align the prayer’s will with the will of God. You see, Jesus knew something these early listeners didn’t, so He was breaking new ground with them. He was teaching them to think outside the box of their normal conventional Hebraic thinking that had been compromised by local pagan practices. Pray it loud, and use as many words as you can possibly utter, and maybe God will hear you. Jesus was telling them that God was tired of His own people not really understanding the nature of dialogue with their own Father.

They all knew the ancient scriptures passed down in both oral and written ways. For instance these are just a few things they already knew about God their Father.

Ancient Teachings

Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

Isaiah 45:5
I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides ME there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known ME.

Isaiah 40:26
Raise your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the ONE who brings out their multitude by number, He calls them by name. Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.

Yes, all those Jewish listeners knew the scriptures by heart. They heard these truths from the rabbis teaching endlessly in schools and synagogues, “Beit Kneset” or “house of gathering.” They were so familiar with the words that when God the Son came right up next to them on the hillside that day, they still didn’t recognize Him as Messiah.

Where do we go from here?

The Master went slowly with those who should have recognized Him but didn’t. He taught them what the elders of the Hebrew faith should have been teaching but weren’t. How to have a meaningful dialogue with the Creator of the Universe. So, I’m going to take this lesson to heart for this study. I’m going to go slowly. I may suggest you examine some things that may be uncomfortable. I long for and hope to make these truths, perhaps revelations to some, interesting and not boring.

I started this introduction with the Apostle Paul addressing the Church in Corinth. “”Who has known the mind of the LORD, that he will instruct Him?” Now let’s look at the good part. The last part of this verse says:

“But we have the mind of Christ.”

What Jesus was communicating to the Hebrew people on the mountain that day is, “I’m right here, let’s talk about what is important to you.” He didn’t say it that way, that’s my own interpretation. I truly believe He was suggesting to those who really needed to hear it that God cared about them more than they could possibly imagine. The same message is true today.

The beauty of God the Father’s plan, in sending God the Son to earth, was to open an endless communication agency for all mankind to the Creator. In Jesus’ actions, His death and resurrection, His teachings, His healings, His forgiveness and His grace, God the Father was saying “See, I’m right here. And I care more than you could possibly ever understand.”

The Mind of Christ

The “understanding” of what Jesus was teaching then and now is for those who are “In Christ.” The “world” referred to in Scripture, are those folks who have never believed nor trusted in the free gift of Grace offered in Jesus. These folks often go on about their lives not believing there is a God, or if there is, that He doesn’t care about them personally. It is for certain a sad and miserable existence.

“But God…”, I love those words.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

But God… in fact, does want us to know exactly how to communicate with him. That’s why Jesus gave this model prayer to the Hebrews… but also to us. NOT as a mantra. Not as a magical incantation. Not as some mystical process of existentialism. What a great word huh? No, Jesus gave us this prayer as a model because this is how Jesus always prayed, and always lived while on earth.

Think about it. Remember it. Do it.

Acknowledge Him, revere His name.
Ask for His kingdom, and His will right now, right here, wherever here is.
Ask only for what we need today.
Forgive people.
Keep us from temptation.

This is the Mind of Christ. This is the Will of God… to align my will to His. Not His will to mine.

Next time…

How does the image above reflect the Sovereignty of God?
Having the Mind of Christ will help us see this image differently….