Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; RSV).
During an on-line conversation yesterday morning, a friend and I were discussing free will. I was praying in between reading and responding to their messages, and suddenly saw that when everyone freely chooses to do God’s will out of love, we will all live in heaven on earth.
Until that blessed day arrives, each of us can help the world to move towards it, by treating everyone with love, no matter how they behave towards us.
All this became much clearer in my mind when I was praying at bedtime: we can live in heaven on earth individually, and we can also live this way collectively. Free will means that the choice is ours.
When you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will (Leviticus 22:29; NKJV).
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
References
Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).
Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:28; NLT).
Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34; NLT).
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).
Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (Luke 11:4; NLT).
We have all sinned against you (Jeremiah 14:20; NLT).