I have seen several cases this last week of Latin Phrases that have become cute catch phrases.  After you notice them – you start noticing  more of them.  One is Molon labe meaning “come and take [them]”.  This is a classical expression of defiance. It is among the arrogant, lLaconic phrases reported by Plutarch, attributed to King Leonidas I in reply to the demand by Xerxes I that the Spartans surrender their weapons. Something that I would like to Satan.  We belong to God.

Another is Sic semper tyrannis meaning “thus always to tyrants”. Common use now says it means tyrannical leaders will inevitably be overthrown. The phrase also translates as: that bad but justified outcomes should, or eventually will, befall tyrants. Or Satan.  Something that I learned was that this is also the state motto of Virginia

One of my favorites comes from the Crusades.  I used to think that it was from the Templar Knights.  You know – the knights whose goal was to protect the faithful pilgrims.  I actually found out the motto predated the Templars.  The motto was used by the Crusaders a hundred years before the Templars.   The Crusaders used it when they rode into battle.  It was first chanted during the First Crusade in 1096 as a rallying cry.  It was Deus vult or “God wills it”. It is a simple Christian motto obviously relating to Divine providence about our choices and what occurs in our lives.

God wills it.  That is pretty heavy.  But what is it that God wills?  What is it that we should want to willingly do?   Actually, it is pretty simple.  There are the four wills of God that are directly stated in the Bible.  1. believe in Jesus Christ, 2. abstain from sexual sin, 3. give thanks in everything and 4. submit in doing right.

Believe in Jesus Christ – In John 6:40 Jesus said, ” ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Abstain from Sexual Sin – In 1 Thessalonians 4:3 Paul states, “³ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;”

Give Thanks in Everything – In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 the Paul writes, “¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Submit in Doing Right – In 1 Peter 2:15 Peter writes, “¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”

Each of these is declared to be the will of God.

1.believe in Jesus Christ, I don’t think that anyone needs me to explain this one

2.abstain from sexual sin,  I won’t explain this since the adults already know and the kids don’t need to know.  There are many verses that identify these sins. I will say however that there are 10 sexual sins in bible: Fornication (sex without marriage), Adultery (sex outside marriage), Polygamy, Rape, Incest, Homosexuality, Prostitution, Sexual Immorality “porneia” referring to numerous sexual sins including pornography, and Pagan sexual activity

3.give thanks in everything – be thankful is easy, but how often do you forget to thank God – especially for things that we asked for in our prayers.  If you are truly glad for example about being healed, no matter how it happened, give thanks.  If you are grateful for that wonderful wife that God has given you, give thanks every day.  Or every time that you cross that bridge again that you were afraid to do before God gave you that strength.  Give thanks as in Faith over fear!

4.submit in doing right. – do God’s will – not your will.  If you don’t believe me – ask Jonah how it went when he wasn’t wanting to follow God’s will.  It may not bite you but it can swallow you up.  If you always do right, there are fewer hard choices to make.  You just need to keep doing the same right choices. We need to ask ourselves if we are praying as Jesus did in the garden when He said, “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” or do we have it twisted backwards as “Yet not as YOU will, but as I will.

As we say in the Army: I say again:

Believe in Jesus Christ

Abstain from Sexual Sin

Give Thanks in Everything

Submit in Doing Right