If you are a born-again believer, there are five words you must memorize, “What I want is immaterial.” You have not been promised happiness, security in this world or even safety from it, you have willingly enrolled into the service of the Lord God Almighty, and although you are greatly loved, your life is no longer your own. Much of it will be boring, tedious, repetitive, and monotonous, much labor is required, daily studying and prayer are not just essential, they are essential, this is no game.
You have been commanded to fight against spiritual darkness, (Eph. 6:12) you are never to take off your armor, (Eph. 6:11) and you are to be prepared to wield your sword with precision. From the moment you fell on your knees at the cross you should have been aware that you were being sent into a battle, all of your sins were forgiven, you have nothing to be ashamed of for all was cast away from you, but you are now engaged in the battle. Your responsibilities include studying the Word daily to show yourself approved, (2 Tim. 2:15) the Lord will not look favorably upon those who do not search the Scriptures, every thought that you have is to be held captive for Christ, (2 Cor. 10:5) no exceptions. All of your needs, both of the flesh, the mind, and the soul, will be provided for, if you seek first the kingdom of God, if not, if self begins to rule your life again, there will be chastisement, (Heb. 12:6) if you continue to stray from the appointed path that has been set before you, you will be cast away like an unprofitable branch into the fire. (John 15:6) If you know to do good and do it not, it will be counted as sin against you.
What you want is immaterial, your Master requires, and rightfully so, that nothing or no one is to be placed before Him, your life if He requires it is to be sacrificed for Him, and until that time, you are to sacrifice all for Him. There are rewards, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (Matt. 19:29) But only for those, you are hence forth known as bond servants, as slaves, if you follow the commandments given, He may call you His friend, but that matters little, we are called to sacrifice all, to be crucified with Him, if you are not willing to do this, if you believe that you can shirk your duties, then you are sadly mistaken.
The Holy Spirit has been sent to abide in every born-again believer, we are to listen and obey Him, for He is God. It matters little if you find that convenient or not, it matters not the circumstances or consequences, servants are expected to obey. This is how we recognize each other, we know no fear of the world, we serve without question, we reprove those who are in sin, we exhort those who are also serving. If you cannot find these traits within yourself, then there is a good possibility that you are not saved. If you are following the requirements of man or any religious organization or church greater than the commandments of Christ, if you are lackadaisical in your approach to the Almighty, if there is more self-centered pride than humility in you, than your salvation is in question.
What you want is immaterial, who you serve is all that matters, and He expects total obedience. You cannot accomplish this feat, no man has ever been able to, you must be willing to obey, you must yield at all times to the Holy Spirit, you must pray for the ability to hear His voice clearly at all times. God does not choose the qualified, He qualifies the chosen, and you will know for a fact that you have been chosen when you have died to self, when all you do is meant to glorify God, when Christ is your only goal. You can memorize these words in one of two ways, the choice is yours, “What I want is immaterial,” or “Thy will be done.”
