May 24th - Will You Obey?

May 24th, 2017 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: James 1: 23-25

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Will You Obey?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

This past year my heart’s desire has been “more of Him and less of me” (John 3:30). My prayer has become a plea for a changed heart, but in my asking to go deeper, there has been conviction over my lack of obedience to Him. I’ve been challenged with what I choose to do with my time. Through that, a greater understanding that He isn't going to take me deeper if I'm choosing things that aren't teaching me more about Him.

I’ve been reminded of the times when I didn’t choose obedience to Him, when I didn’t reverently submit to Him and what He wanted me to do. I've been challenged in my relationships with others; especially with those who have hurt me -- how do I respond to them? Do I respond with love, grace and compassion, remembering who I am in Him and not focusing on who I am in the eyes of those around me? Or do I choose self-pity, anger, resentment, and bitterness? If I’m to be obedient to God, I must choose the former.

The other day I was watching a woman walking her dog. She was teaching him to heel. He would be obedient for a moment but was quickly distracted by things around him. She would patiently, but firmly, pull his attention back to her and repeat the command to heel. I instantly understood my great need to allow Jesus to lead me. The challenge: will I keep my attention on Him, all of it, to the best of my ability? Will I be obedient in all things, not just when I feel like it or when it serves me to be?

I am encouraged that He who disciplines and humbles does so because He loves so fervently, and I am so thankful that He is showing me my great need of Him. Even in our disobedience, He is quick to offer grace and forgiveness for us when we return to Him. If you are struggling with these things, I hope this serves as an encouragement to press on for the prize of knowing Him deeper. May we continue on in obedient and reverent submission to Him who loves us so deeply and wants the best for us.

Timothy Keller shares this thought; “To discover the real you, look at what you spend time thinking about when no one is looking, when nothing is forcing you to think about anything in particular.”

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:19

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Hebrews 5:7

 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1:6