If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything— it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people’s plans are upset. They will ridicule us as if to say, “You call this Christianity?” We could prevent the suffering, but not if we are obedient to God. We must let the cost be paid.

When our obedience begins to cost others, our human pride entrenches itself and we say, “I will never accept anything from anyone.” But we must, or disobey God. We have no right to think that the type of relationships we have with others should be any different from those the Lord Himself had (see Luke 8:1-3).

A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him. Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent? Or will we do just the opposite and say, “I will not cause other people to suffer”? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience to Him.

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January 11, 2011

There was a time when I could be stopped dead in my tracks when someone, especially a family, close friend, or church member, would say to me…..”You call yourself a Christian, and you…..?”  I would immediately feel the need to defend myself out of anger, or insecurity. I might feel ashamed and humiliated.  I would feel lots of emotions, but I would not often feel comfortable and secure.

And God says…”When you are in obedience and connected to Me, you feel secure even when you are questioned by a close friend or loved one. Your obedience and attachment to Me allows My love, hope, faith, forgiveness and loving-kindness to flow from Me to you and onto others. Challenged, condemned, questioned and criticized and you will feel no need to retaliate or defend yourself. Covered  and cloaked in My righteousness,  the peace that passes all understanding still resonates within you.”

Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

 ^22-23But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.