As we continue to grow in our Christian walk, it’s important that we have a good understanding of God’s Word. It’s also important that we put what we learn into practice, and continue to obey God and walk by faith, even if we find ourselves in challenging situations. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:22. Today’s blog entry is titled “Being A Hearer And A Doer.”
Picture this, a parent asks their teenager to go to the grocery store and pick up a number of grocery items for the household. The parent knows approximately how much the items will cost, and gives their son/daughter enough money to take care of the costs. Before going to the store, the son/daughter writes down a very detailed list of each item, repeating it back to their parent before leaving. Upon arriving at the store, the teenager initially begins grabbing some of the items on the list. However, as time goes on, he/she deviates from the original plan, and starts getting things that he/she personally wants, that are not on the list. Upon arriving back home, the parent questions the teen for using the money to buy items that were not on the list, and the teen responds by pulling out the list, and saying “look I wrote everything down nice and neat, and I knew exactly what you wanted.” The teen in this situation obviously didn’t do what the parent wanted. It’s not just enough to know what the parent wanted done, the teen should have actually did what their parent wanted. (See Matthew 21:28-32 for a parable that deals with how two sons responded to their Father).
Likewise in our walk with Christ, it’s important that we understand what He wants us to do (by learning His Word), and that we obey what His Word says. Sometimes in life we may feel like doing things that are not in line with God’s Word. We should resist these types of feelings. And if we do find ourselves in a situation where we didn’t follow God’s instructions (like the person in the scenario mentioned above who didn’t do wanted their parent wanted them to do), it’s very important that we repent, and get back on the right track. We should never feel comfortable disobeying God. Sin is nothing to play with regardless of how we may feel at the time. Jesus loves us, and He has provided us with the ability to repent, so it’s very important to turn away from sinful things. The devil on the other hand, hates us and wants to destroy us, so it’s very important that we don’t open the door to him. When we have repented of something and have moved forward, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over past mistakes, we should learn from those past experiences, and avoid going down that same path in the future.
So as we continue to live our lives for Jesus, let us hear what His Word says, and let us also do what His Word says. Be strong remembering Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Keep building, and stand on God’s Word, regardless of what you go through in life.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22
Picture this, a parent asks their teenager to go to the grocery store and pick up a number of grocery items for the household. The parent knows approximately how much the items will cost, and gives their son/daughter enough money to take care of the costs. Before going to the store, the son/daughter writes down a very detailed list of each item, repeating it back to their parent before leaving. Upon arriving at the store, the teenager initially begins grabbing some of the items on the list. However, as time goes on, he/she deviates from the original plan, and starts getting things that he/she personally wants, that are not on the list. Upon arriving back home, the parent questions the teen for using the money to buy items that were not on the list, and the teen responds by pulling out the list, and saying “look I wrote everything down nice and neat, and I knew exactly what you wanted.” The teen in this situation obviously didn’t do what the parent wanted. It’s not just enough to know what the parent wanted done, the teen should have actually did what their parent wanted. (See Matthew 21:28-32 for a parable that deals with how two sons responded to their Father).
Likewise in our walk with Christ, it’s important that we understand what He wants us to do (by learning His Word), and that we obey what His Word says. Sometimes in life we may feel like doing things that are not in line with God’s Word. We should resist these types of feelings. And if we do find ourselves in a situation where we didn’t follow God’s instructions (like the person in the scenario mentioned above who didn’t do wanted their parent wanted them to do), it’s very important that we repent, and get back on the right track. We should never feel comfortable disobeying God. Sin is nothing to play with regardless of how we may feel at the time. Jesus loves us, and He has provided us with the ability to repent, so it’s very important to turn away from sinful things. The devil on the other hand, hates us and wants to destroy us, so it’s very important that we don’t open the door to him. When we have repented of something and have moved forward, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over past mistakes, we should learn from those past experiences, and avoid going down that same path in the future.
So as we continue to live our lives for Jesus, let us hear what His Word says, and let us also do what His Word says. Be strong remembering Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Keep building, and stand on God’s Word, regardless of what you go through in life.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22