Choosing to do God's will

John 7:17 states, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."

In this verse, Jesus is addressing a key issue: the source of His teachings. The context here is that Jesus is speaking during the Feast of Tabernacles, and there is a lot of debate among the people and the religious leaders about who He is and where His authority comes from.

The statement Jesus makes is profound. He is essentially saying that the truth of His teachings is self-evident to those who are sincerely committed to doing God's will. When someone is genuinely seeking to live according to God's will and align their life with His purposes, that person will be able to recognize that Jesus' teachings are not just human wisdom or opinion but are indeed from God.

This aligns with the broader Biblical theme that understanding spiritual truth is closely tied to a heart that is willing to obey God. In other words, spiritual discernment is not just an intellectual exercise but involves a willingness to live in accordance with what God desires. Those who approach Jesus with a sincere heart and a desire to do God's will are given the insight to recognize the divine origin of His words.

It also highlights the importance of humility and submission to God’s will as prerequisites for true spiritual understanding. Jesus emphasizes that His teachings are not self-derived but are directly from God the Father, reinforcing His role as the Messiah and the true revealer of God’s will to humanity.

Choosing to do God's will opens the door to deeper spiritual insight and understanding. When your heart is aligned with God's desires, He grants you the ability to discern truth more clearly. This principle is seen throughout the Bible, where a willingness to obey God is often linked with receiving wisdom and understanding.

For example, in Psalm 111:10, it says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." This echoes the idea that reverence for God and a commitment to follow His ways leads to true wisdom.

In the New Testament, James 1:5-6 also supports this: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt..." This promise is given to those who seek wisdom with a heart fully committed to trusting God.

So, when you choose to do God's will, you are positioning yourself to receive His guidance, wisdom, and deeper spiritual insight. This is not just intellectual knowledge but a living understanding that comes from a relationship with God, which helps you recognize His truth and apply it in your life.