I think we would all agree that God will call us to hard things, but we still need to listen and do them even if we are scared or don't want to. Most of the time, we don't want to do hard things. I believe,.... now this is where you need to listen and check your heart... many of us are betrayed by our daily actions. Our daily activities reveal a belief that God won't ask me to do things I don't want to do. None of us would say it, but many of us live like God wants only what we want for ourselves.
What we do, how we live each day betrays our true beliefs in this area. For most of us, the truth is that we simply just don't do the things we don't WANT to do. And even more, it seems that we tell ourselves that we only have to do for Jesus our Lord, only the things we want to do. It is crazy because even though Jesus has already asked His followers, His disciples, His church, His children to act or do certain things in His Word, we assume because we don't want to those things, those passages of God's Word, don't apply to us personally.
Three primary reasons why we do this are...
1. I think we are influenced so deeply by our cultural understanding of what a good Father or parent is like. We see God as a good parent, and He is our good Father. But, we are so Child-focused these days as a culture. I see many parents' lives being completely dominated and controlled by their love and selfish wants for their children's worldly success. We have come to believe that good parents do everything their kids ask and give them everything they want.
2. We have become very self-centred people. Even many in the church think that love alway gives us what we want. We have a skewed view of what love is and what love does. Love does what is best for you. Love doesn't just do everything you want it to for you. Love doesn't just let you have your way all the time. That is what being spoiled rotten looks like, not true and wise love.
3. Our earthly understanding of goodness is corrupting our knowledge of who's wants matter most in our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. Perhaps we believe that because God is good, He will only ask me or call me to do what I will want to do. He will only call me to live in my wants and wishes. That sounds good to me. But that is not true goodness or who's wants matter most.
I had a friend preach not too long ago, and he shared that he realized he needed to step up and do the things God called him to even when he didn't want to or was scared to. He said, "You have to step out of your comfort zone for Jesus sometimes." Guys, search your heart. Are you willing to do things you don't want to do for Jesus? When was the last time you said, "Okay, Jesus, I don't want to, but I know you are with me, so let's do it."? Or, if you investigate your heart, mind, and actions, do they reveal that you believe Jesus would never ask you to do something you don't want to do. O
Galatians 6:7-10 reads, Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what He sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, when given opportunity or when opportunities come, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
14-17 reads, May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule-to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Guys, Who is indeed Lord of your life?
Who's wants genuinely matter most to you?
We know the "Christian answers" to these questions, but do our lives reveal that we live out the Christian answers?
Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. It is His wants that matter most, for His wishes are always, always... listen now ... His wishes are always pure, always loving, always just, always true, always gracious and always good. And who of us can say our wants are always these?
May our courage to step up and stand out in doing what Jesus wants continue to grow. The truth is we don't follow, serve, trust, and even obey all that well because we don't love Jesus all that well. Yes, we love Him, but are we indeed in young, passionate love with Him? Do we desire His presence and will over our own wants and loves? We need to, more and more.
Yet, even in this challenge, remember, He is gracious. He is still faithful even when we are not. He is this way because He is good, and we must not forget that HE IS GOD. Jesus is our LORD and our SAVIOUR. We follow Him because we know His wants and will lead to so much better. To more purity. To more love. To more justice. To more truth. To more grace, and more holiness. Not just for me but for the people around me. And that sounds so much better than simply me getting what I want. Doesn't it?
We serve a good God. Amen.
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