Just Do It!

“Godliness consists not in a heart which intends to do the will of God, but in a heart which does it” (Jonathan Edwards, 1756).

One of the most frequent observations I make about people, including myself, is that we often have good intentions to live in a particular way, but lack the will to follow through with our intentions. Make it personal. How many times in the past month have you determined that you would do something that never got done? We all know what it’s like to have good intentions, don’t we?

The words of Jonathan Edwards speak to me on this point. He knew people well enough to know that many have great intentions to have a soft heart toward God, while they still live a life devoid of God’s influence. Good intentions in spiritual matters mean nothing. It’s only as we act in faith upon what God is asking us to do that his leading results in our intentions and actions coming together in a way that honors God and blesses us.

The New Testament is filled with examples of our need to act upon our intentions. For example, Paul said in Ephesians 6:6, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter ten, “For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.” Further, the Apostle John wrote in I John 2:17, “And the world is passing away with all its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” It’s clear, is it not? God places a premium on “doing” as opposed to good intentions. 

There is a very practical point of application for each of us in this. The Christian life is a life of continual growth in personal godliness. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in this. He is continually showing us how we might reflect his presence in our lives. That’s what he does.  In speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” What this means is that when we feel a “good intention” regarding spiritual things, it’s the Holy Spirit bringing it to us. That’s his ministry. However, he does not force us to follow through; that’s where “doing the will of God” comes into play. That’s our part.

I would be willing to guess that you can identify at least one “spiritual intention” the Holy Spirit has brought to you recently. How did you respond? Did you act on it or simply intend to act on it?

Listen again to Jonathan Edwards. He wrote, “It is therefore exceedingly absurd, and even ridiculous, for any to pretend that they have a good heart (good intentions) while they do not bring forth the fruit of holiness into practice.” His words speak to me. How about you?