Knowing God's Will (3rd edition)

Clarifications: First off, the stalwart courage of Self-Discipline is not to be
confused with recklessness -- sometimes referred to as “bravery” (“Do not put the
Lord your God to the test.” ~ Jesus in Matthew 4:7) … It is not necessary to behave
with a lack of caution to exhibit real Courage. Indeed, true bravery exists in
relation to what kind of action is taken, and not necessarily how that action is
effectuated (“Not everyone who says to me „Lord, Lord‟ will enter the Kingdom of
Heaven, but only those who Do the Will of the Father in Heaven.” ~ Jesus in Matthew
7:21 & “Whoever Does the Will of God is my brother and sister and Mother.” ~ Jesus in
Mark 3:34-35) … Yes, we must do the Will of the Father, and yet that Will is not
related to any particular deeds, but rather a specific intention underlying the same
– the intention of selfless Love …
Similarly, Self-Discipline is not to be confused with “stubbornness.” Just
because the most courageous action is identified as such in no way “locks one in” to
sticking with that particular course of action – especially when doing so is brining
others “bad fruit” (“For who knows what is truly human except the Spirit within? So
also no one comprehends what is truly God‟s except the Spirit of God” ~ 1 Corinthians
2:11) … In any situation, when new evidence presents itself (e.g. when an option
proves to be either “too easy” or pain-inducing or simply ineffective), we are always free
to set it aside and choose anew …
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