He said, “Who are You, Lord? —Acts 9:5
Through the miracle of redemption, Saul of Tarsus was instantly changed from a strong-willed and forceful Pharisee into a humble and devoted bondservant of the Lord Jesus.
There is nothing miraculous or mysterious about the things we can explain. We control what we are able to explain, consequently it is only natural to seek an explanation for everything. It is not natural to obey, yet it is not necessarily sinful to disobey. There can be no real disobedience, nor any moral virtue in obedience, unless a person recognizes the higher authority of the one giving the orders. If this recognition does not exist, even the one giving the orders may view the other person’s disobedience as freedom. If one rules another by saying, “You must do this,” and, “You will do that,” he breaks the human spirit, making it unfit for God. A person is simply a slave for obeying, unless behind his obedience is the recognition of a holy God.
Many people begin coming to God once they stop being religious, because there is only one master of the human heart— Jesus Christ, not religion. But “Woe is me” if after seeing Him I still will not obey (Isaiah 6:5 , also see Isaiah 6:1). Jesus will never insist that I obey, but if I don’t,I have already begun to sign the death certificate of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say, “I will not obey,” He will never insist. But when I do this, I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It makes no difference to God’s grace what an abomination I am, if I will only come to the light. But “Woe is me” if I refuse the light (seeJohn 3:19-21).
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July 18, 2012
Journal Entry-JDV
Lord, thank you for helping me understand the nature of the obedience You have for me. I thought I understood it but for years, when I was much younger, I felt like Your obedience was the stuff given me by the Cosmic killjoy, trying to prevent me from enjoying my life to the fullest. Then, as I got a bit older, I felt like the obedience you have for me was rooted in religion that would turn me into one of those conservative Christian “bible thumpers” that have all the answers before the questions are even asked, and can only find grace for people they agreed with. But then You showed me that the obedience you have for me has its roots in your mercy, love and grace and is designed for me to enjoy life to the fullest. The obedience you have offers me a way to stay connected with the God of the universe.
And God says…”Delight ourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight. One of the reasons obedience is so important is that I know in advance what will cause you difficulties in this life. I know what will hurt you even though you think it offers pleasure and excitement. And sometimes you cannot even fathom the meaning of an action because my ways are not your ways. And if I cannot count on you to understand, much like a parent cannot often help a two year old understand “why?” you must simply trust and obey. If I gave you my only Son, I certainly will not withhold any good thing from you”
Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord. We were contemplating today whether Oswald’s wording, “signing your death certificate” was over dramatic and guilt producing. Was it more the language and type of preaching of the day in which this was written?
There are two sides, actually many sides of the same coin. Many views of the same issue.
It’s true and I like the way he says it in the last paragraph better, “you won’t make me obey … but if I dont, there will be consequences.” Then it’s up to us. We can miss out on the blessings if we choose to not obey…
Some come to obedience thru guilt. And some preaching uses guilt. That is not my best for you. I prefer that you come to me by knowing me and knowing that my nature is love and my intentions for you are good. Choosing obedience from that context is results in relationship between us … and that’s what I wanted from the beginning.
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