Tag Archives: obedience

July 28
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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV)

Prophecy and miracle-working in the name of Jesus — though impressive — will not get us through the “pearly gates.” Jesus makes a clear distinction between (for lack of a better term) “exceptional religious performance” and righteous living in the day-to-day.

The Lord doesn’t care whether you or I ever perform miracles, prophesy like an Old Testament seer, or put demons to flight.  (Any of that is 100 percent God and 0 percent us, anyway.) What impresses God is our obedience to Him in even the smallest and most ordinary of things.

God is not seeking rock stars, but He is seeking men and women who are “rock solid” in their commitment and in their obedience to His will.  – Luther

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June 30
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Uncategorized Aside

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 16:25, NLT)

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” 

How many times have we heard (or even spoken) those words?  

Maybe we didn’t know any better. Or, maybe we knew the possible consequences of the short-cut we had chosen, but proceeded anyway thinking that no one would notice — or care.

Proverbs tells us that some decisions — even apparent “sure-fire” decisions — lead to death.  Death comes to childhood dreams because of adolescent indiscretions.  Death overtakes the prospects of a bright career because of poor choices during the young worker’s “salad days.” One dies spiritually when he or she trades a season of prosperity for an eternity of poverty.

There, however, is wisdom on this path: Obedience to God’s word leads to life.  – Luther

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June 27
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Uncategorized Aside

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, NIV)

God’s love for all of us is unconditional — particularly those who have no use for God.

The noted German pastor, Martin Niemoller (1982-1984) said: “It took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of His enemies.” The enemies of Niemoller’s reference were the Nazis. While he had good reason to hate Hitler and his ilk, Niemoller knew that for Christ’s sake, he had no excuse.

We must take to heart that if God chooses reconciliation with His enemies, we, too, must choose reconciliation with both our enemies and the enemies of God. 

Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians is a pointed reminder of God’s love for all persons; and our obligation to follow our heavenly Father’s example.  – Luther

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