September 16, 2008 IOW
“Still, accepting God’s existence is one thing; honoring his command is another matter entirely, especially if we’re required to go back when we’d rather go forward.”~Liz Curtis Higgs from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible~
Although it seems to be hard for some, many people in one way or another accept the existence of God. Whether they admit it or not is a different subject. Even Satan acknowledges the fact that God exists. In politics it’s hard to tell the left from the right, the democratic from the republic from the independent. That isn’t the way it should be with those who recognize God’s being, finding it hard to tell the obedient followers from those who only believe.
We like the thought of unconditional love, free forgiveness, streets of gold, angel wings, and cushiony clouds. However when it comes down to honoring His commands people tend to draw back. They act as if accepting God’s existence is where it all ends when in reality it’s where it all begins.
Jesus made the statement once in John 15:14, “You are My friend if you do whatever I command.” Some look at that as if He was being some kind of a dictator. Others ignore the statement all together as “not that big of a deal” since they believe in God. Obedience is important. The fundamentals that God has put before us in His word are the foundation we need to honor and follow. It doesn’t matter if we are required to go backwards or forwards. When we obey God no matter how things appear we are moving ourselves forward closer to God.
To know God is to know His commands. To love God is to make the choice to obey His commands, desiring more than a religion but a relationship with the Creator Himself. If you think about it and read enough scriptures on it you find that obedience is not really a “choice.” We would never give our children the option to obey or not and God doesn’t give us that alternative either.
Like a rebellious child, however, we wind up making that choice in our actions. Little by little we begin to listen to the lies of the enemy, Satan himself. Picking and choosing what part of the Bible we don’t think is important. Segregating what sections we feel are outdated with today’s society and what ones don’t pertain to us. Rewording the Word of God to say what we want to hear.
We definitely appear to want our cake and eat it too. We want to believe in the being of God without having to obey all the things He says in the Bible. We want the forgiveness of our sins but not the obedience that comes with forgiving others. We want Him to love us but to love one another is asking too much. To forgive my husband and love him when he is not loveable defiles me and sends me backwards to where “I” want to be. Wrong!
It’s not about “us, me, I, or we” its all about God or it should be. Believing in His existence, having faith in what He tells us to follow. Trusting that ALL the commands He has given us are indeed the necessary foundation in becoming the children of God we are called to be. Knowing and believing in our hearts they are the commands of the future not the past because they affect our future and have the ability to take care of our past.
It’s not like the traffic light we can run when it’s red and get away with it as long as there’s no police officer around to see us do it. With God He sees when are disobedient. He knows when we have honored what He has set forth. It shows up in our lives, it reflects in our light that needs to shine for Jesus.
Praise the Lord that God does exist.
That He has included us in that existence.
“Still, accepting God’s existence is one thing; honoring his command is another matter entirely, especially if we’re required to go back when we’d rather go forward.”~Liz Curtis Higgs from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible~
Although it seems to be hard for some, many people in one way or another accept the existence of God. Whether they admit it or not is a different subject. Even Satan acknowledges the fact that God exists. In politics it’s hard to tell the left from the right, the democratic from the republic from the independent. That isn’t the way it should be with those who recognize God’s being, finding it hard to tell the obedient followers from those who only believe.
We like the thought of unconditional love, free forgiveness, streets of gold, angel wings, and cushiony clouds. However when it comes down to honoring His commands people tend to draw back. They act as if accepting God’s existence is where it all ends when in reality it’s where it all begins.
Jesus made the statement once in John 15:14, “You are My friend if you do whatever I command.” Some look at that as if He was being some kind of a dictator. Others ignore the statement all together as “not that big of a deal” since they believe in God. Obedience is important. The fundamentals that God has put before us in His word are the foundation we need to honor and follow. It doesn’t matter if we are required to go backwards or forwards. When we obey God no matter how things appear we are moving ourselves forward closer to God.
To know God is to know His commands. To love God is to make the choice to obey His commands, desiring more than a religion but a relationship with the Creator Himself. If you think about it and read enough scriptures on it you find that obedience is not really a “choice.” We would never give our children the option to obey or not and God doesn’t give us that alternative either.
Like a rebellious child, however, we wind up making that choice in our actions. Little by little we begin to listen to the lies of the enemy, Satan himself. Picking and choosing what part of the Bible we don’t think is important. Segregating what sections we feel are outdated with today’s society and what ones don’t pertain to us. Rewording the Word of God to say what we want to hear.
We definitely appear to want our cake and eat it too. We want to believe in the being of God without having to obey all the things He says in the Bible. We want the forgiveness of our sins but not the obedience that comes with forgiving others. We want Him to love us but to love one another is asking too much. To forgive my husband and love him when he is not loveable defiles me and sends me backwards to where “I” want to be. Wrong!
It’s not about “us, me, I, or we” its all about God or it should be. Believing in His existence, having faith in what He tells us to follow. Trusting that ALL the commands He has given us are indeed the necessary foundation in becoming the children of God we are called to be. Knowing and believing in our hearts they are the commands of the future not the past because they affect our future and have the ability to take care of our past.
It’s not like the traffic light we can run when it’s red and get away with it as long as there’s no police officer around to see us do it. With God He sees when are disobedient. He knows when we have honored what He has set forth. It shows up in our lives, it reflects in our light that needs to shine for Jesus.
Praise the Lord that God does exist.
That He has included us in that existence.
The next step is ours to take, honoring Him through daily obedience and a Christ-like attitude. When we do, we will get the same reply Jesus gave to those listening in John 14:23,24 (NKJ) when Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” Amen! AMEN!
Our host this week for IOW is Miriam at her site Miriam Pauline’s Monologue. Hobble on over there, don’t run any red lights on the way but go and share with others about today’s quote.
8 comments:
Dear Kindred Spirit:
We took the same interpretation today! Awesome post. Couldn't agree more. HIS Words in John 14 are Key: “. . . If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. . . "
I think a lot of Christians forget the instruction of Acts 20. Keeping His Word means the "whole counsel" of Scripture. Not just the parts we like.
Have a Great Tuesday!
-Esthermay
"Knowing and believing in our hearts they are the commands of the future not the past because they affect our future and have the ability to take care of our past."
Amen, Karen. Amen. Great post, IOW friend. You always take the post in an unexpected direction for me... but one that refreshes and lends insights that I really need.
Thanks for bringing the Word once again.
BLessings.
Loved the verse you shared from John - we keep His Word because we love Him. So true that this is a daily decision to honor and obey Him. Thanks for sharing an encouraging post for today.
They act as if accepting God’s existence is where it all ends when in reality it’s where it all begins.
Oh, AMEN! It is just the beginning. The "relationship not the religion." Bless you for sharing this week.
"The next step is ours to take, honoring Him through daily obedience and a Christ-like attitude." I loved that. Yes, we do need to take that step. Great post! I really enjoyed your take on the quote.
We were of the same mind today, Karen. I read the quote and also thought of obedience.
"The next step is ours to take, honoring Him through daily obedience and a Christ-like attitude."
Yes, yes. Hard though it is at times, I'm trying to make His will my priority.
Great post!
Great thoughts Karen...as always.
You made me think outside the box...the traffic light had me nodding..."I get that!"
Peace to you!
lori
Let's not forget the power of Satan to stir fear and selfishness into our hearts. We are helpless on our own to obey. We NEED the power of the Holy Spirit to honor our Lord with full obedience.
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