The Blessings of Obedienc

 

We who have repeatedly experienced God's grace and mercy are sometimes slow to give up our sins of self-comfort. After all, this world is an uncomfortable place. We suffer, we watch those we love suffer, we strive valiantly in prayer and in service (and You know, Lord, those kinds of things are tiring)...and these hard facts of our earthly lives can give us a sense of entitlement to pleasures God does not condone. 

I must quickly qualify this with the sins "good" Christians (an oxymoron if there ever was one) allow themselves: a movie binge, a pint of ice cream, buying something we shouldn't buy...like that.  And then I must further qualify this with the assurance that these things are not always a sin. But you and I are aware, because of the Holy Spirit's conviction within, which behaviors the Lord does not want us to indulge (and sometimes, it is the timing of the behavior rather than the activity itself that is wrong). Innocuous-seeming sin is sin, just the same.  

The Lord will not hesitate to bring to mind what sin of commission or omission He would like us to bring to the foot of the Cross, if we ask. It is important to ask.  

We need not to excuse sin in ourselves. We must keep fighting against it, even though we feel confident the Lord will receive us back once we've enjoyed our guilty pleasure. The Bible warns against giving up the fight: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:8)." Various translations state the answer to this question as follows: "By no means! Certainly not! Of course not! God forbid!"

Obedience is how we show our love for God.  When we obey, channels of blessing are opened by Holy Spirit power so that we begin to taste now the peace that will be ours for eternity, when we see all things brought under God's power and authority. When we voluntarily place our hearts and minds under His authority here and now, we participate in Kingdom blessings even in the midst of the turmoil of this present world.  

Lord help us to keep fighting the good fight. Thank You for the forgiveness that cost You so dearly; thank You for the Blood of Christ. Father we want the peace of obedience and we want to show our love and commitment to You.  Help us! Have mercy on us! Forgive us and help us to obey You in everything. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.