Joshua 1:8
"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
I really like v. 17, that we obey from the heart. And Karyn I feel like this chapter addressed that last thought you had about continuing in sin. This whole chapter addresses how life in Christ requires obedience, and it is a great reminder that disobedience is really a reflection of being a slave to sin and that it is not really freedom at all.
ReplyDeleteI liked how the Chapter emphasises obedience as well but notice our freedom from sin makes us slaves to God. I have to confess, I definitely don't live my life as if I were God's slave...
ReplyDeleteProbably because I keep telling you that you're my slave...
DeleteYou and me both Josh. I don't feel I'm a slave to God. There's been times in life when I did, but that lead me to driving myself nuts in trying to be "perfect" all the time. I'm at the point now where I don't want to sin, but I also realize there's no way I'm ever, even if I tried, going to be perfectly obedient. I guess its a matter of finding a balance and resting in God's grace.
DeleteIf I may add to my rambling... I think it's key to remember that if it's God that calls us, and God that justifies is in Jesus, it's God that sanctifies is through the Holy Spirit. We all have different pasts and struggles, so the process is going to look different for each one of us, but the key is to follow Jesus closely and realize it's Him that helps us to obey and convicts us when we are disobedient, and anything we try to do to please God on our own is pointless. Hopefully this makes sense
DeleteJoel and I think your comment is funny Mary...I think all wives may at one point tell their husband that. I agree that you should not be a slave to sin and that is not how God wants us to live, but being that we are imperfect people that is why I think His grace is so amazing. I can only pray that I can live my life in total obedience. I know I will fall short, but I will do my best. I just have to remember daily that I need to live with intention and to not get distracted with my desire and wants.
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