This week, the study worked through the introduction and several verses of scripture that correspond to the points made in the introduction. Reading over the introduction in your text will be helpful before reading this devotional.
This post is a whirlwind of five different topics that were discussed in introduction, so it is rather long. Beginning this Thursday, the posts will be more keenly focused on just one aspect of the study...and consequently shorter.
Point #1: You will have a relationship with God...the only question is "What kind?"
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 7:21
Everyone or almost everyone showing up for a Bible study or reading this blog would say that we call Jesus "Lord". But do we really seek to do God's will? Maybe we're held back by apathy, as we figure going to church is good enough, and it's better than "most people", so that must count for some kudos. Maybe we're held back by fear because God is asking us to do something outside of our comfort zone, and so we think He can't possibly mean that we're actually supposed to step out and do what we think He's asking. Whatever the reason, it's unlikely that we're just consciously saying to God, "Nope...I won't do it because I don't want to!" We're saying, "Lord!" to him, saying we'll do what's asked, but then do we follow through when we know what we should do?
Point 2: Your relationship with God is continuous and it is evolving, and the direction it evolves in depends on the choices that you make...all day, every day.
...Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. - Psalms 119:1
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. - Psalms 119:11
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalms 119:105
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. - Romans 15:4
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; - 2 Peter 1:5
The psalmist and the New Testament writers knew that the one way to make sure we know what God's will is - so that when we say to him, "Lord", we then know how to act in accordance with His lordship - was to study His word and to know His law. No matter how clever we may think we are, we can't follow a law we don't know.
Point 3: God doesn't call you to be lukewarm, and faith in Him is not a mundane practice of religion and set of rules. It is a vibrant relationship.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. - Revelation 3:16
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:35-37
These scriptures offer two contrasting views of the Christian life. One is the lukewarm approach that does just enough to get by. The other is a complete giving of not a half-hearted effort, but of your entire heart...and your soul and mind, as well. What would our lives look like if we lived according to that one greatest commandment? How would they differ from the way they are today?
Point 4: Once you've decided to follow Christ completely, He'll give you the courage and the wherewithal to change your life in the way He wants it to change.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run , and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
God doesn't expect us to do His will in our own strength. He expects us to step out in faith and say we're willing to do whatever He has planned for us. He expects us to WAIT upon him...If we respond with a "Yes" to what He asks...we can be confident that He'll take care of the "how".
Point 5: Following Christ will not remove all troubles from your life. In fact, it will introduce new ones, since you'll be at odds with friends, maybe even family, who do not share your desire to follow and, in fact, don't even understand it.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. - John 15:20
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. - I Peter 4:13
Though God will provide any tool to accomplish His will when we submit to Him as Lord, He never promised that things would be easy on that path.
As we continue in this study, as we seek to align our lives with God's will and to re-arrange our priorities so that they match His, we'll run into times when that will not be easy. God promises that He'll give us the power and strength that we need to get through those rough times and to say "Yes" to His way when the easy answer is "No". Wait on the Lord in those times, so that we can have renewed strength and not grow weary or faint!
I'd like to ask you all, as we are at the beginning of this study, to pray for each other. By name or by need if you know a specific one, in general for all those in the study if you don't. We'll all be facing times when God's way is not the easy one, and we would find it easier to fall back into our old pattern of Self first...Others second...God - well maybe if I have time. One thing that will help immeasurably in those times is the prayers of others we're studying alongside of! The whole idea of a RADICAL change is that it isn't mundane. It requires God's intervention...and prayer is the way to make that request known to Him. If we could do it under our own steam...we already would have. ;)
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