Obedience Today

Obedience is a word and a concept that today is considered old fashioned and misplaced in an “enlightened” and post-modern world. Especially with the prevailing worldview of relative truth and subjective reality in our society. The idea of obedience then is misconstrued by such perspectives, that it’s relevance becomes subject to convenience, social acceptance and immediate gratification.

As followers of Christ however, we are required to obey God’s Word unequivocally. That means that we are to do what God commands us to do, even at the expense of what is convenient for us personally or what may or may not be popular in the world. There is also the great temptation to delay obedience for another time for the sake of personal gratification now. As parents we teach our children about delayed gratification in order to instill resilience and discipline in them and in like manner, as Christians, it’s our personal desires that must take a back seat to immediate and radical obedience.

It’s of vital importance for us to understand that God gives us his laws and statutes to follow, not because He is some egotistical megalomaniac as suggested by modern atheists but because obeying his word is of great benefit to us spiritually and physically, as well as every other aspect of human life. On the contrary, a life that is without rule and boundaries is often destructive and unfulfilled.

Radical obedience to God’s word is not laborious or mundane but it is life and life more abundant because it is obedience borne out of a love relationship with our Creator and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We don’t instruct our toddlers not to walk on the railway track because we want to be controlling parents and make life miserable for them, we do it out of love, even if they don’t completely understand the why. Obedience is so powerful that without it, we can not go to heaven but to reiterate, it is an outflow of our passionate love for Christ and as such, it is not a chore or a burden, but a privilege.

John 14:21 Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.

John 15:6-7 Anyone who does not remain in Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted

The Time Is NOW

Our theme for this year is ‘The Time is Now’ based out of Romans 13:11 - “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

In this text the great Apostle is implying that the church could be in a sleep like state spiritually. In some ways, we can live our lives by being dictated to by our past, whether it’s in regret of our mistakes and failures or we are resting on our laurels by living only on yesterday’s victories. For some it may be that we are waiting for to-morrow; a better situation or the perfect op-portunity to come before we do anything significant today.

I want to urge the church this year, to make today count. That we must learn to live in the Now where we can live out God’s pur-poses and loving those close to us today, sharing our testimony to someone today, giving of our abundance today! Don’t let life pass you by with the attitude of just endur-ing work and ‘looking for a better tomorrow’ before you start really living today.

I like this profound quote:

“We over exaggerate yesterday, we over estimate tomorrow but we underestimate today.”

— John Maxwell

Today is the day of salvation, no more procrastination or delay. We can do something for the Kingdom of God regardless of our situation now!

New Year, New Habits

After an outstanding General Conference in Melbourne, many of us are primed and ready for the new year. At the outset of 2017, we have the opportunity to chart a new course knowing that we are older and hopefully wiser than in the previous year.

Let us make the most of our mistakes from the past by not repeating them but applying God’s wisdom and revelation to our lives. Last week, I mentioned the importance of keystone habits that can have a flow on effect on other habits for the better. So from here on, focus on some major habits and be diligent on ensuring that you follow through with them.

For the Christian of course, the keystone habits are the ones that Jesus exemplified and that is prayer and knowledge of God’s Word. Make it your keystone habit to pray and read God’s Word daily. If this can be part of your daily routine everyday for the next six to eight weeks, it will become a habit that will influence your character and ultimately bring you to your destiny.

Church attendance, giving, fasting and witnessing are some of the other habits that are sure to follow and will cause you to become a ‘Contagious’ and ‘Effective’ Christian for God’s glory.

Hebrews 10:25 - Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.