The Most Transformative Phrase to Embrace

Luke 22:42

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Jesus was just about to do the most transformative work of His ministry. This is saying a lot when you consider all the miracles He performed. His miracles consisted of the lame walking again, the blind receiving their sight, the dumb speaking again, the dead raised to life, the stormy seas calmed, the hunger of the thousands filled with just a few loaves of bread and fish, and those who were possessed with devils finding new life in Christ’s power to redeem.

However, we see Jesus in the garden praying for one request. This request determined whether all throughout the ages would have a payment for their sins. Jesus prayed to the Father and asked Him to remove the cup of suffering, but one phrase Jesus said is what made His greater work happen, and that phrase was, not my will. It was Jesus surrendering His will to the Father’s will that made the most transformative work that Christ would do on earth to happen.

My friend, you will never know the power of Christ working through your life in a transformative manner until you surrender your will to His will. There will be times in your life when your will will be opposed to Christ’s will, but if you want God to use you mightily, you must be willing to surrender your will to His. With this in mind, let me share three thoughts about the importance of surrendering your will to His.

First, God’s will over your will is the only way you will find the power of Christ working through you. It does not matter if your will is not bad, but what does matter is if you are willing to do God’s will for your life. Many believers have not been used mightily because they are not willing to surrender their will that they feel is good. You cannot be used to transform lives if you are unwilling to surrender your will to Christ.

Second, God’s will is not always easy to do. Do you think it was easy for Christ to die for the sins of mankind? The Father’s will for Christ was no doubt the hardest thing anyone would endure, but it was necessary if the sins of mankind would be paid. Too many people try to justify what they are doing as God’s will because they see everything falling into place. Just because things are falling into place does not make it God’s will. God’s will for Stephen was to be stoned to death. God’s will for Christ was to die on the cross for mankind. God’s will for Joseph was to suffer in slavery and in prison for over a decade. God’s will for Job was to suffer greatly. You will never know God’s will if you base it on things falling into place and how easy it is to do. Many times you will find things get worse before they get better when you choose to do God’s will.

Third, the line that you will not cross is the line that determines how much God can use you. This is where you must determine to say, not my will but thine be done. Is there a line you have drawn for God that you will not cross? Looking to run back to comfort will take you out of God’s will most of the time. Once you make the decision to do God’s will no matter what happens, you must always determine that you will continue to do His will even if it brings much discomfort. Never draw a line and tell God you will not cross that line. On the other side of the place where you want to draw the line is often the place where God begins to use you the most. You must be willing to say, not my will, if you want God to use you greatly.