Just as we should not put off getting our lives right with God initially, neither should we put off obeying God in the ongoing day-to-day areas of our lives. Find out why delayed obedience = disobedience.
And if you’re struggling to obey in some area, you’ll also find out where you can turn to for help and a list of some of my most frequently used and most helpful resources. These resources can help you or someone you know grow and walk in more faithful obedience.
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 19 & 20
Psalm 106.32-48
Proverbs 25.13
2 Corinthians 6.1-18
Delayed Obedience = Disobedience
2 Corinthians 6.1-18:
Delayed Obedience
For He says.
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (v. 2).
Salvation is both a one-time event and an ongoing process. The new birth that Jesus talked about in John 3 is a one-time event. Just as we were born once physically, we are born again once spiritually.
But that is just the beginning of the process of changing and growing and becoming more like Christ. Paul said:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2.12-13).
Just as we should not put off getting our lives right with God initially, neither should we put off obeying God in the ongoing day-to-day areas of our lives. Delayed obedience = disobedience, as does partial obedience (1 Sam. 15.10-23).
When we delay obeying God, we are often looking for a loophole, some justification for our sin, or hoping God will change His mind. And partial obedience only soothes our consciences but is far short of faith and trust in the Lord.
What About You?
Are there areas where you have stubbornly refused to obey God?
Is there a relationship that needs to be reconciled (Matt. 5.23-24)?
Is there a habit of the old man that needs to be put off and its biblical alternative put on (Eph. 4.22-24)?
Has God called you to some area of ministry yet you have failed to prepare yourself or get in motion (Rom. 12.6-8; 2 Tim. 2.15)?
Have you failed to grow in your understanding of God’s Word (2 Tim. 2.15)?
Have you been lazy about memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures (Ps. 1.1-3, 119.9, 11)?
Do you pray regularly or only when there is nothing else you can possibly do (Lk. 18.1; 1 Thess. 5.17)?
Is there some lifestyle issue with which you continue to struggle?
Walking Alongside
Why not ask for God’s help to step out in faith and obedience? Also, look around you. Is there a sister in Christ who has walked the same path and who might be willing to walk alongside you (a brother in Christ if you’re a man)? Is there a mature believer who might disciple you? If you’re not sure, ask your pastor or another church leader.
And if you’re a mature believer, look around you. Is there someone God might have you encourage by walking with them?
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Tit. 2.3-5 ESV).
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2.2 ESV).
You might read through a book of the Bible together. A good study Bible or commentary can help.
You could also read a biblically sound book together. One way is to read a chapter a week and then meet over lunch or coffee and discuss what you have read. Both of you will grow and you could impact a life, a marriage, or a family for eternity.
Here are some suggestions. These are not affiliate links but you should be able to find them online. These are resources I use in counseling and discipleship and have found them to be extremely helpful.
Books I Use:
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
The Complete Husband by Lou Priolo
Anger & Stress Management by Wayne Mack
Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison
The Heart of Anger: Practical Help for the Prevention & Cure of Anger in Children by Lou Priolo
Overcoming Fear, Worry & Anxiety: Becoming a Woman of Faith & Confidence by Elyse Fitzpatrick
If I’m a Christian, Why Am I Depressed? by Robert Somerville
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Change Your Family by Paul Tripp
Pleasing People: How Not to Be an Approval Junkie by Lou Priolo
Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone by Elyse Fitzpatrick
It’s Not Fair! Finding Hope When Times Are Tough by Wayne Mack
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller
Or leave me a message and I’ll be happy to make a recommendation for a book on another subject.
Biblical Counseling:
If you need additional help, you can find a biblical counselor in your area. Just go to the Association of Biblical Counselors’ website and click on the “find a counselor” tab.
Today’s Other Readings:
Isaiah 19 & 20:
Future Mercies
Even as God through the Prophet declares judgment on Israel and the surrounding nations, He looks forward to Christ’s millennial reign on earth.
Psalm 106.32-48:
Again & Again
Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity (v. 43).
It’s so easy to look back and see God’s hand in the lives of His people and wonder how they could fall back into their sinful ways. And yet, how many times have we, through our disobedience, gotten ourselves into difficulties and cried out, “Lord, if You will get me out of this mess, I won’t do it again.” Only to find ourselves there again and again!
Proverbs 25.13:
Are You a Faithful Messenger?
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
How valuable a faithful messenger or ambassador is to his master or employer. And how much greater is our privilege and responsibility to be a faithful ambassador of our Master!
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will talk about presumptuous sins, discover the way to perfect peace, look at the nature of strongholds, and ask the all-important question, “Where will you spend eternity?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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