OBEDIENCE IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING

 

Monday, April 7, 2025

 

OBEDIENCE IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING

 

John 7:17

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

 

Mark 9:24

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 

          We generally think that the reason unbelievers do not believe and obey the Scriptures is because they do not understand them. In fact, the opposite is probably true. They do not understand because they are unwilling to obey. We want complex religious concepts tied neatly with ribbon and presented to us in completely logical and understandable ways. We approach Christ in the same way as Star Trek’s Dr. Spock. We cock our head and declare that following Christ is illogical.

 

          The following comment on John 7:17 may clear things up a bit. “I will give you a sure rule by which ye may judge of my doctrine: If you really wish to do the will of God begin the practice of it; and take my doctrine, and apply it to all that you know God requires of man and if you find one of my precepts contrary to the nature, perfections, and glory of God, or to the present or eternal welfare of men, then ye shall be at liberty to assert that my doctrine is human and erroneous…” (From Adam Clarke's Commentary.)

 

          An honest desire to obey God is the easiest way to become acquainted with the truth. The fact is that we bring too many prejudices into our investigation. We do not want a truth that challenges our behavior. We want a truth that confirms our deliberations and decisions. We don’t want change until what we currently have becomes so painful, we seek something else! But we fear that we will trade our current pain for something even more painful. We become closed to the possibilities of God. When challenged about His teaching, Jesus applied the only reasonable answer. He said, “Try it.”

 

          How many people sit in church each week clouded by the fog of stubborn disobedience and therefore ignorant of God’s truth? When you challenge them, they will say that they can’t obey God until they understand when, in truth, they can’t understand until they are willing to obey!

 

Dear Lord, give me a heart that is willing to obey so that I might also have a mind that understands. AMEN

 

PLEASE TELL ME AGAIN!

 

 Sunday, April 6, 2025

 

PLEASE TELL ME AGAIN!

Ps 119:33-38

33 Teach me, O Lord , the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

 

          We are emotionally forgetful! We constantly require reassurance regarding our relationships. A marriage soon falls into disrepair if either party fails to reassure the other of their love and devotion. So it is with our relationship with God. We are always asking God to tell us again how much He loves us.

 

          We are functionally confused! We need constant instruction and practice to become proficient at doing the will of God. The text this morning is clear when it gives voice to our heart. “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord.” God keeps Himself invisible and He is non-verbal, so we are constantly needing to be told over and over again by reading His Word. Moreover, modern circumstances do not always fit comfortably into Bible language.

 

          We are directionally challenged! We are like sheep who go astray and soon lose sight of the proper path. Without the Shepherd’s rod, staff and voice we become lost. We require constant contact and correction.

 

          We are stubborn and self-reliant! We need to be taught that the best plan is always His plan. We have some wonderful ideas and schemes, but they may not be His plans. We need to be reminded repeatedly.

 

Dear Lord, please tell me again how much you love me. Sometimes I forget. Please tell me that everything will be alright. My circumstances keep trying to make you a liar. Please show me the right way. All my ideas seem stale and doomed to failure. Please, Lord, tell me again. AMEN

 

ABLE TO BEAR IT

 

Saturday, April 5, 2025

 

ABLE TO BEAR IT

 

1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

          Every one of us believes that we may have suffered more than the next person. Surely, while we are going through whatever it is we are going through, this is how we feel. Ah, this verse offers both warning and hope and it deserves a deeper investigation. So, let’s begin.

 

          The word “temptation” is the Greek word peirasmos and indicates “a discipline, provocation, or adversity.” So, it is trouble! Paul said it is common to man and seems to urge us to patiently endure it.

 

          Paul reminds us that God is faithful which is wonderful news. Often we feel alone while we are enduring difficulty but the truth is that most of us have more friends and more help available to us than we think. The word “faithful” here is the Greek word “pistos” means “trustworthy, sure, and true.” Everyone needs a God like this.

 

          Adam Clarke says: “He will provide you with sufficient strength to resist it; as the trial comes in, he will make your way out. The words are very remarkable, poieesei sun too peirasmoo kai teen ekbasin, He will, with the temptation, make the deliverance, or way out." God will not suffer, or allow you to be “scrutinized” beyond your ability to endure.

 

          The word “to bear it,” is the Greek hupophero which means “to bear from underneath.” It is curious to me that the word hero is part of the Greek word.

 

Dear Lord, please help your “heroes” to bear their difficulties from underneath today. AMEN