So often I believe that we wander through the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of life with little to no self-reflection or introspection. Right? We know our routines. We sort of walk through the day as if we are checking off a task list. I probably like checklists as much as anyone, but are we called to live life this way? I’m guessing not.
I believe that God desires more from His followers.
Now, I want to be clear, I do not believe that we can earn our way into heaven. Period. The Word of God is very clear about that. Salvation cannot be earned by man. It is a gift from God. A price was paid – and an impossibly high price it was! Only a perfect and spotless/sinless sacrifice would fit that bill. Since mankind did not have a perfect spotless/sinless option, God allowed for a part of himself to come in the form of man, to represent us – but without our sin (as God is holy and without sin) – and pay our debt in full on the cross. And aren’t we blessed he did!
God paid the debt. God provided the cleansing. We didn’t deserve it. We didn’t earn it. The only action to secure our salvation is to accept the gift.
However… the Scriptures are pretty clear that God’s people will be identified to Him and the world at large by following his directives.
Now, in order for this to make sense, however, there needs to be some common understandings or foundations with which we study the Scriptures. For example, if I believe that Scripture is directly from God, breathed into mankind, and therefore is to be trusted, I will interpret the Word differently than those who claim that the Scriptures are inspirations of man and/or culture. So, friend, let’s do some introspecting now. What do you believe? Where do you land? Is the Bible the Word of God? Or is the Bible a collection of inspirations – up for interpretation? And if the Bible is God’s Word, do you believe it is true? Accurate? Do you believe it should be followed? How important is it to you?
If you view the Word as God’s Truth, and you believe that it should be followed, and you say that the Bible is very important to you, are you a student of it? Do you value it enough to read it? Learn it? Meditate on it? Use it? Apply it? You see, I am not so sure, based on the relationships I have with those who claim the title of “Christian” that our words aren’t empty. That the title is something we like to wear, but isn’t something we actually are. Why? Those who encountered God – who walked with Jesus, were transformed by him. They were sinners – certainly imperfect – but they were transformed and continually seeking to follow God. They spent time with the Word in human form (while Jesus was physically with them) and they spent time with the Word after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Word transformed and impacted everything they did and every part of who they were.
I cannot speak for you. I can’t. But I can tell you that I want that for myself. I want the Word to seep into every single part of my life. Into my thought life. Into my prayer life. Into my actions and deeds. Into my private life. Into my public life. I want the Word of God to completely transform all that I am.
The Gospel of John records some pretty amazing teachings of Jesus (God). Amazing and convicting. “Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” (John 12: 42-43)
Friend, you know that this is a real problem for many Christians today, right? This hasn’t changed. Following Jesus – obeying him, accepting him as the authority of what is true, and applying it to our lives is largely dependent on 2 things: a willingness to submit ourselves to the LORD-ship of God; caring more about God’s opinion than we care about man’s opinion. But if we are true Christ-followers, both of those things should be true for us.
Again, from the book of John, out of the mouth of God Himself – through the person of Jesus: “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” (John 14:15-17) “When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:20-21) “Jesus replied, ‘ All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.‘” (John 14:23-27)
Christians – those who love and follow Christ – obey his commandments. As a reminder, this is not to say only that commandment Jesus gives to love each other as he loved us is to be followed. Yes! We are to follow that command. But Jesus is God. God also commands things of his followers in the Old Testament that Jesus not only followed but is referencing here. It is not “Follow my command,” it is “Accept my commandments and obey them.” This is what demonstrates our love for God. If we love him – we accept and obey because of that love. And if Jesus can be trusted (and he can!), this ensures/confirms God’s love for us. This is what we do as Christ-followers that allows for God/Jesus/Holy Spirit (Trinity that is God) to be revealed to us. Our love for God is demonstrated, demands, and requires that we are obedient. Our obedience provides God the opportunity to come and dwell within his people – filling us with His Holy Spirit – teaching and transforming us, while at the same time giving us the gift of peace of heart and mind.
This is not referencing peace meaning no difficulty or a lack of war waged against us. No. It means a complete removal of fear. The assurance that I am never alone. My future is secure. An eternal promise. Sin will not prevail against us. No weapon formed against us can defeat us. We are no longer citizens of earth, but citizens of heaven.
Friend, we have got to do some introspection. We have got to put the time in and be willing to truthfully access how we are doing with what we have been given by God. What is most important to me? And if my words and actions don’t align with what I want to be true for me as a Christian, what needs to change? What am I going to do differently to bring about obedience and submission to Christ?
Why does obedience matter? Because it matters to God.
O Father, we need you. You created each of us with a desire and need for you. So often, LORD, we want to pick and choose the things that you say, instead of following your commands and living a life that is set apart. Forgive us, LORD. This is idolatry. We confess this sin to you, now. LORD, for each and every one of us who desires to live a life that honors and glorifies you, I pray that you would open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to everything that you would reveal to us. LORD, give us the humility to receive what you reveal, and the courage and discipline to follow you, and be transformed by you. Help us to desire approval from you above the approval of anyone or anything else. Be at work in us, LORD. Give us wise and discerning hearts as we are presented with so many messages that seem “good.” We know that there is only One who is truly good – and that is You, LORD. Help us to seek you – pursue you – with a hunger and thirst that can be quenched by nothing else. Protect us, LORD, as we pursue you. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Blessings!