|
Abundant Life
by Kyria Baker
December 9, 2000
"Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and
always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their
children forever" Deuteronomy 5:29. God longs for us to walk in obedience.
He tells us over and over that we will be blessed through obedience.
God deserves our worship and obedience just because He is God. But if you need
persuading (and I think we all do to some extent) He has detailed the many
blessings you will receive as a result of obedience. Look up the specifics. It's
not just a generalized "blessings upon you." Start with Deuteronomy 28
- that's a pretty complete list right there - then start hunting for more. Take
God at His word and claim specific promises; but first make sure you have
obeyed.
We have to obey, but we don't have to always be checking our behavior or
constantly running for forgiveness if we walk in the Spirit. For then we will
automatically do what is right in every situation as the Spirit leads us.
"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law"
Galatians 5:18. There's guilt and then there's guilt. Determine whether you feel
guilty because you aren't quite in line with God, or if Satan is trying to use
false guilt to trip you up. If you're walking in the Spirit, it should be
obvious and can be dealt with quickly.
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies,
outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,
drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I
also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit
the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21
Did you skim through that list and think, "Well, I'm all right. I don't
commit adultery or get drunk or murder or practice sorcery"? Read it more
closely. Hatred: Many Christians carry bitterness and unforgiveness in their
hearts for those who have hurt them, especially if those hurts happened to them
in childhood. Can you let that hatred go? You're only hurting yourself.
Contentions: This is arguing. "A fool's lips enter into contention, and his
mouth calls for blows" Proverbs 18:6. "Better to dwell in the
wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman" Proverbs 21:19.
"It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared
with a contentious woman" Proverbs 25:24.
Jealousies: Are you jealous or envious of anyone? How about your brother-in-law
who brings in the same income as you, but seems to always be able to buy that
new boat or other fancy toy? How about the other ladies at church who never wear
the same outfit on Sunday, while you have to rotate your wardrobe? Do you find
yourself wishing for more material possessions? That's jealousy. When thoughts
like that pop into your head, reject them immediately! Don't give Satan a
foothold.
Outbursts of wrath: "No problem there. I'm a laid-back kind of guy."
Do you ever holler at your kids when they carelessly break something? How about
when they deliberately defy you? Do you feel justified in losing your temper
then? There is a better way, one that will not provoke your children to anger.
Remember, "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God." Make sure your home is a haven where you and your family are eager to
spend time. All the preaching and teaching I hear on how to conduct my life
don't do any good, no matter how much I want to do those things, unless I am
walking in the Spirit. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you
abide in Me" John 15:4. Read all of John chapters 14-16. There is so much
encouragement there - straight from Jesus.
Take advantage of the help the Holy Spirit gives and experience that abundant
life!
For More Articles by Kyria Baker, click
HERE
|
