Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Matthew 6:10
During the Soviet era, a group of American tourists was visiting Moscow, and was taken by their Intourist guide to many places of interest. Some of the tourists tried several times to enter buildings or rooms that were not part of the tour. The guide sharply reminded them that such out-of-bounds activity was ‘Not permitted’. As she kept repeating that phrase during the tour, it became apparent to the tourists that the guide was not only aware of what was not permitted, but she would never think of doing something that was not permitted. She was a product of communist brainwashing of Soviet citizens that caused her to never question rules or authority, or ever step outside of the rules. She and millions of Russians were afraid to disobey the dictates of the Secretary of the Communist Party. He imposed his will – good or bad – on the people by intimidation and brainwashing. God’s will in Heaven is also absolute. But His will is always good, and is enforced by removing the bad. And His will is to be carried out on Earth when His kingdom comes.
Can you imagine a world in which no one can or will tell a lie, or be deceitful or deceptive in any way? Can you imagine a world in which nobody can hurt or wrong anyone else, in which no unkind words are ever spoken, in which every business transaction is fair and honest? Can you imagine reading a newspaper with no obituaries, accident or crime stories, or court reports, nothing but good news and truthful statements? That’s what earth will be like when God’s will is done in earth. Sin has no place, and the tempter with his minions is locked in an abyss for a thousand years. This is what the Lord Jesus has made provision for by bearing our sins on the cross, and by rising in glorious triumphant resurrection.
The kingdom has not yet come. But its citizens are here. You and I and all other Christians are part of that kingdom. As such, we must conduct ourselves accordingly. Although we are not sinless, we should try our best to be. We should try to live according to the coming administration – truthful, fair, kind, and loving in all our dealings. It is how the Lord Jesus lived while here.
Can we honestly pray for God’s will to be done in earth? If so, we can sincerely do God’s will in our own lives. -Jim MacIntosh