Friday, November 11, 2016

Live In Obedience To God And Live In Another Reality

My Utmost For His Highest
 
He said, "Take now your son…" —Genesis 22:2
 
“God’s command is, “Take now,” not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately. If we are to climb to the height God reveals, it can never be done later— it must be done now. And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it.[…] When God spoke, he did not “confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16). Beware when you want to “confer with flesh and blood” or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings— anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. […] Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always guard against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential will of God means a hard and difficult time for you, go through it. But never decide the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, “I will only go to there, but no farther.” […] God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.”  CHAMBERS
 
Romans 12:2 cautions us to not be conformed to this world.  The world will tell you that sacrifice is unnecessary.  That what you should strive for is acceptance from your culture.  You should want to be like them, the way they live and what they value.  You should value their acceptance over God’s approval.  That you don’t want to be different .. that you should conform.  Every day you are faced with the choice .. obey God or not.  Each of us knows what to do, the problem is doing it.  Abraham trusted God foremost and obeyed immediately.  Now I have known people who went off “half-cocked” (meaning to speak or act impulsively and without proper preparation) acting on their own motivation, using the Lord’s name for legitimacy.  And I have known people who did not go or obey at all because of the pressure of the life they were living, acting as if God is not sufficient. 
 
That is not to say that there is no danger or risk from the world’s perspective in doing what the Lord directs us to do.  But we should not be looking at things form the world’s perspective.  We “should” be focused on the Lord.  Job said “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15) The danger here is that you think that you could never be like Abraham, or Paul, or Peter, or some Christian that you hold in high regard.  My response to that thinking – that is not true.  The reality is that you are, but you choose to place your faith in things other than God.  (Proverbs 3:5,6) “Trust in the Lord with all ..”  That doesn’t leave much room for your culture, your friends, or your fears.  God is faithful and He is sovereign.  Living in obedience to God is living in another reality.  It is as close as a “Yes Lord, to Your will and to Your way.”  ELGIN

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