Blessings
I feel sorry for people who don't have children. Not so much people who can't have children, but people who purposely choose not to have children. Why? Because there are so many aspects of God's character that I understand only because I am a parent. So, here is something I am learning, because I understand something of being a parent.
Our children remain safe in our homes simply because they believe we love them and are there for them. We long to bless them with good things, we long to give them more than they ever dream of, better than they can think of, we love our children, truly and earnestly, with everything we are. They cannot fathom it. They cannot understand this truth, because it is bigger than they can understand. We long to bless them, but we cannot when they are in constant rebellion. We long to give them good things, but we are prevented from doing so because of constant disobedience. We cannot give them these good things, because we are constantly cleaning up the messes of their mistakes and blunders. Oh, sometimes we are able to bless them in small ways, but never really the way we want to. It isn't in their best interests when they have not learned to fully obey. It isn't what is good for them. And what happens when we are able to bless them in small ways? They get comfortable in the blessing and then rebel again, rather than being grateful and respectful and loving in return. They are still safe in our house, belonging to us, but not fully blessed in all the ways they could be.
Now, change every "we" to "God" and every "they" to "us". As God's children, we are saved simply because we believe in Jesus. However, to be in a place of blessing, we must be obedient. That isn't very popular in our culture. We talk all about a loving and merciful God. About being saved by grace through faith. All of which is totally true and of utmost importance. But also important is obedience. Obedience. How can we obey what we do not know? And so, another importance, prayerfully studying God's Word - it is our daily bread. We cannot obey in our own power, only in our surrender to the Spirit in our lives, working through His Word and in our hearts.
Our relationship with God is the most important one we will ever have. To put other relationships and activities to build these relationships first in our lives is idolatry, plain and simple. Will we first be His? Will we first be with Him? Will we first obey Him? Believing is essential. But it is only the first step of abundant life.
Our children remain safe in our homes simply because they believe we love them and are there for them. We long to bless them with good things, we long to give them more than they ever dream of, better than they can think of, we love our children, truly and earnestly, with everything we are. They cannot fathom it. They cannot understand this truth, because it is bigger than they can understand. We long to bless them, but we cannot when they are in constant rebellion. We long to give them good things, but we are prevented from doing so because of constant disobedience. We cannot give them these good things, because we are constantly cleaning up the messes of their mistakes and blunders. Oh, sometimes we are able to bless them in small ways, but never really the way we want to. It isn't in their best interests when they have not learned to fully obey. It isn't what is good for them. And what happens when we are able to bless them in small ways? They get comfortable in the blessing and then rebel again, rather than being grateful and respectful and loving in return. They are still safe in our house, belonging to us, but not fully blessed in all the ways they could be.
Now, change every "we" to "God" and every "they" to "us". As God's children, we are saved simply because we believe in Jesus. However, to be in a place of blessing, we must be obedient. That isn't very popular in our culture. We talk all about a loving and merciful God. About being saved by grace through faith. All of which is totally true and of utmost importance. But also important is obedience. Obedience. How can we obey what we do not know? And so, another importance, prayerfully studying God's Word - it is our daily bread. We cannot obey in our own power, only in our surrender to the Spirit in our lives, working through His Word and in our hearts.
Our relationship with God is the most important one we will ever have. To put other relationships and activities to build these relationships first in our lives is idolatry, plain and simple. Will we first be His? Will we first be with Him? Will we first obey Him? Believing is essential. But it is only the first step of abundant life.
Comments
Post a Comment