No one can obey God perfectly.

In my early Christian days I was informed that no one ever could do the will of God perfectly; that the world was waiting for the man or woman who would do God's will perfectly and completely.

Not being willing to live under condemnation, I told the Lord I would do His will perfectly if He would show me what to do and give me the grace to do it.

Now, fifty years later, I can see Satan's hand in this destructive concept. Of course we are to do God's will perfectly and completely. Anything else is unthinkable!

What Father would give His children commands that are impossible of fulfillment?

The Lord's ways are not grievous, it is the way of the transgressor that is harsh and painful.

God expects every one of His children to do His will from the heart at all times. Each day we are assigned some task, some responsibility, whether in overcoming sin or in ministry. There always is grace given for the day so we can maintain unbroken fellowship with the Father.

Should we be deceived and fall into sin, the moment we become aware of our sin we are to confess it, denounce it, renounce it with all of our might. Then we are to turn to God, receive our forgiveness, and pray for the strength to never, never again fall into that trap.

As long as we are pressing forward in this manner we absolutely are without condemnation and are doing God's perfect will.

Satan loves to have us bowed down with condemnation. His purpose in this is to separate us from God. Satan always works to separate us from God. We are to resist Satan and always present ourselves to God, praying for wisdom and strength to do His will from the heart.

What I heard as a young Christian, that no one can do God's will, is unscriptural and destructive. Every one of us is to do God's will at all times. If we do not, we are not qualified to receive back our body and rise to meet the Lord in the air at His coming.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

To be continued.