Inspired by . . . always near the cross: obedience
Inspired by . . . always near the cross: obedience
Continuing the series.
Obedience
Submission
Faith
Trust
I often ask myself, “Have I done one single thing today because He told me to do it?”
I’m ashamed to say the answer is more often no, than yes. We have all sorts of reasons for doing the things that we do, even the good things, but how often does our motivation come from obedience to His word - from a simply desire to please Him - to obey His command?
Knowing what God wants us to do is not hard. He has not kept His will a secret. He has carefully preserved not only His precepts, but the very words uttered from our Savior’s mouth!
The LORD has told us what is good.
What He requires of us is this: to do what is just,
to show constant love,
and to live in humble fellowship with our God. Mic 6:8
WWJD?
Open your Bible and therein you shall find the answer!
The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength.
The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.
The laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy.
The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind. Psa 19:7-8
Not only do we have His word, but as believers we have the Holy Spirit. A counselor to guide us and make clear the things of God.
We have not received this world's spirit; instead,
we have received the Spirit sent by God,
so that we may know all that God has given us. 1Co 2:12
The cross offends the disobedient. They do not desire it’s favor or acceptance. They scoff and turn away.
So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin. Jas 4:17
When presented with a choice, it is almost always easier not to obey. So how can we guard against this temptation?
How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying Your commands. With all my heart I try to serve You;
keep me from disobeying Your commandments.
I keep your law in my heart, so that I will not sin against You. Psa 119:9-11
God gives us everything we need to obey - and grace when we fail.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.
F
ind out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way. Psa 139:23-24
Our desire to obey is like a fragrant oil, like the dew of Mt. Hermon falling on the ground beneath the cross.
Forgive me, most gracious Lord and Father, if this day I have done or said anything to increase the pain of the world.
Pardon the unkind word, the impatient gesture, the hard and selfish deed, the failure to show sympathy and
kindly help where I had the opportunity, but missed it; and enable me so to live that I may daily
do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow and add to the sum of human happiness.
Prayer to Do Good ~ F.B. Meyer England, 1847-1929
Blessings,
June
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