God’s Plan

God’s Plan

In the Bible, Jesus made a promise to his disciples where he said, “ My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-4) Notice that Jesus stated that he knew the way to heaven, but even better than that he also said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Thomas asked Jesus a question many disciples ask: How does a person get to the Father’s house in heaven? What is the plan? The plan is to receive Jesus as Savior and to follow and obey him as Lord because he is the only way to the Father’s house in heaven. Heaven is the place where disciples go to after their work on earth is done. They leave their temporary residences on earth to go to their eternal homes in heaven. If disciples want to know what to do to get there, they should study and follow Jesus as their role model. Know the words and works of Jesus and try to do the same. This book tries to teach the words and works of Jesus in a systematic way so God’s plan may be more clearly seen.

Jesus said he was the light of the world. Just as the pillar of fire led the Israelites through the wilderness, Jesus led his disciples during his ministry in the world. The world is a dark place, but disciples were given Jesus, who is the light of the world, to help them see clearly the plan to heaven (John 8:12). Because Jesus obeyed God’s plan perfectly, he is the personification of God’s light. Disciples should get to know their Bible inside and out so they can clearly see the plan. Today, disciples have the Holy Spirit as their light to reveal God’s plan to them so they can follow Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit reminds disciples of the words and works of Jesus that are recorded in the Bible.

People have a choice, just as Adam and Eve had a choice; they could have obeyed God or Satan. One choice leads to life and the other leads to death. One leads to light and the other to darkness. One pleases God, and the other pleases self and Satan. One satisfies the cravings of the new nature, and the other satisfies cravings of the old sin nature. People who obey God have God’s help in achieving God’s plan. Satan does not want people to achieve God’s plan. Satan tempts everyone to do anything but God’s plan. The Christian lifestyle should be such that people acknowledge that what Christians have done has been through God. Non-Christians should take notice and ask where Christians get this way of living, and Christians should be prepared to answer them. The Christian lifestyle should be attractive to non-Christians who are seeking God. Christians are to live lives of righteousness by yielding to the Holy Spirit, who works in them and through them.

The road to God’s house is narrow because, as Jesus said, he was the only way to the Father. The road to Satan’s house is wide because it includes any and all ways except God’s way. Only a few find God’s way because many are blinded by sin from seeing it (Matthew 7:13–14). Man’s spiritual eyes have been blinded to the truth because of sin. The only way to overcome this sin problem is through salvation. Believers have been saved, and their eyes have been opened to be able to see the truth. Believers are to seek the spiritually blind and share God’s plan with them.

Jesus said believers following God’s plan would sometimes experience times of trial and tribulation, and he told the following parable about it:

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24–27)

When times of trial and tribulation come, those who persevere in following God’s plan will stand in victory, but those who do not will fall in defeat. Get the support of other believers to help and advise you on how to make it through these times. Satan wants believers to fail and give up, but God wants them to withstand the trouble and have victory.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

Learn God’s plan because while you are doing it, you can rest assured that God is on your side, giving you a rest that only he can give. This is a rest benefit that affects your entire being: physical, mental, and spiritual.

Having a relationship with God is the only way to receive this rest, peace, and satisfaction. Taking on God’s yoke, or God’s plan, brings with it the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Anyone seeking these traits, or fruits, should accept Jesus as his or her Savior and begin to follow him as Lord by obeying God’s plan.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is Jesus considered the personification of God’s plan?

2. Why did Jesus say he was the light of the world?

3. Why is the narrow gate considered God’s plan?

4. Why is the broad gate considered Satan’s plan?