Article July 14, 1928 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from Stephen C. Clark, Jr., W. C. Holmes, Paul A. Davies

[Rev. Stephen C. Clark, Jr., as quoted in the Star-News, Pasadena, California]

We have become so accustomed to identifying the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with the third phrase of the Lord's Prayer, that we frequently think of conformity to God's will as a supine resignation to an unpleasant experience. Yet the teaching of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer is almost the exact opposite. Helping to bring God's will to pass in the world, ought to be one of the greatest joys and privileges known to man. Conformity to God's will is not a resignation of all human joy; rather it is a dedication of life to a higher and greater purpose. In all our human relations, family life, or community, we have to conform to certain rules and laws for the good of the whole. ... Likewise, God has laid down great rules and laws for His kingdom on earth. The fulfillment of these laws, and the bringing to pass of the kingdom of righteousness on earth, as in heaven, is the will which we pray may be done.

We must never deceive ourselves that wrong conditions on earth, caused by man's selfishness, such as war, slavery, industrial oppression, or disease, are God's will, and it is unchristian to say that submission to them is conforming to God's will. His will is a good will, designed to make men better and happier, and when the wrong conditions creep in, it is because men have failed to follow His teachings. We cannot understand it all now, but we can and must use what understanding we have, and labor according to that knowledge. We believe that in heaven is a kingdom of righteousness, and God's will is to bring it to pass on earth. It must be a kingdom of righteousness where living conditions and life can be found right for all. It must be a kingdom of service, where each labors for the common good, and is willing to serve for the cause. It must be a kingdom of holiness, where wrongdoing and sin are despised and hated. If we can all work joyfully for such a state, we will be bringing God's will to pass, and establishing His kingdom on earth as in heaven.

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