Friday Faith Check-up: We Have No Ability to Offer...We Can Only Obey!

"God does not will He should follow what man has initiated. Other than following God's direction, we have no right to direct Him. We have no ability to offer save to obey God's guidance." - Watchman Nee

All children, at some point, will dare to question an adult's authority. We, as mature and reasonably intelligent adults, sometimes do the same thing with God. Of course, we know the outcome of this, but allow me to elaborate for a moment.

It is our self-will and rebelliousness that encourages us to fracture our right and good relationship with God. We alone are responsible for the broken peace between ourselves and Our Heavenly Father. Fortunately, God is more than capable of restoring it (Isaiah 27:5).

Our bond with God relies on our submission and obedience. In order for peace to be maintained, we as God's children,  must observe obedience. Furthermore, we are God's servants. As such, peace depends on serving our Master, or doing His will. Hold fast that the essence, or intrinsic nature of sin is willfulness.

Some might say, "What's the big deal? All that God has to do is snap His fingers and all will be well again." Though this might be true, God long had a plan in mind, a plan of peace-making, if you will, that He conceived and put into action. In fact, He accomplished this Himself, as the atonement through His Son (John 3:16).

Thus, God graciously offers to fix, or restore the broken peace between us. He calls for us to let Him strengthen us, and invites us to reconcile with Him. God even grieves, over our hesitancy, saying, "Why Will ye die, O house of Israel? why will ye die" (Ezekiel 18:31; 33:11)? God has offered us, no, better yet, He has given us"eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (1 John 5:11).

Although God can make everything right again, we must do our part, too. If we truly seek to mend our broken relationship, or make peace, with God we must approach Him with the right disposition or temperament. There's no room for bargaining here. Either you're all in, or all out, as they say.

What does this appropriate mentality consist of? How about: humility?; an awareness of sin?; repentance or sorrow for sin?; showing that you are serious about renouncing sin?; abandoning any pridefulness?; displaying a passion for God?; and last, but not least, a sincere, enthusiastic intention of making this all come about?

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Even though a child may be disobedient from time to time, when it's all said and done, a parent's love is strong enough to overcome this snag. Thus it is with God. His love for us is eternal and merciful (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5).

Scripture: John 14:15; Romans 6:16; Matthew 7:21; James 1:22; John 14:23

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You who were made perfect are the source of my eternal salvation; may I always honor and obey You. Amen

Have a blessed weekend!

Kaye