Unwilling

<<reluctant>>

Jonah was unwilling to go God’s way – his mindset was one of blatant disobedience (Jonah 1:1-3). Jesus told a parable about people being invited to a marriage feast yet they refused the invitation, then later He said He wanted to gather His people together ‘as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings’ and they would not come (Mt 22:3, 23:37).

Don’t disqualify yourself from heaven by unwillingness

They were obstinate, continually refusing His offer. Even to the present day most people are not prepared to admit they are sinners and so are unwilling to accept God’s offer of salvation. At the same time, there is divine reluctance on God’s part to bring judgement on people because He wants all to repent. That is why this present age is referred to as ‘the age of grace’ (2 Pet 3:9).

When touched by the Holy Spirit often our spirit is responsive yet our flesh (or self-centredness) is unwilling to co-operate because it will be diminished as we can’t be controlled by two masters (Mt 6:24, 26:41; Eph 4:22). Is there something in my life that I am unwilling at the present to surrender to God? Our relationship with Him will not progress any further until there is a willingness to lay it on the altar as Abraham did with his son Isaac (Gen 22:2,15-18).

Paul and his companions who were constantly sharing Christ and ministering to the believers also had worked to provide for their food and necessities gave this directive, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat" as a warning to the believers against being idle and lazy (2 Thes 3:7-12). They set an example of Christian work ethics whereby believers are to be known for working hard, not for a lazy attitude.