Today’s WFTD is short and simple, partly because I’m at home with strep throat, but mostly because that is in line with the message.  As with any of God’s teaching it is not for those who do not fear God, but for those with ears to hear.  For those who read the Word of God with a transformed heart, then hopefully this will be an encouragement to you, as you run the race of faith.  For those read the Word of God without a transformed heart, my hope is that this will be a warning, that every deed of man will be brought under judgment, and our God is holy and righteous, no unholy thought or deed will go unpunished.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Each day when you wake up, you have to ask yourself one question, “Who am I going to serve today”.  Does my love for God, extend to delight myself in obeying Him, or does my love for God stop at mere words, and will I serve myself?  Who will rule your life?  This was Satan’s sin, this was Adam’s sin, and this is the sin in the heart of every fallen man, woman, and child, of which we all belong – we would rather rule, than be ruled by God.  The Gospel of Jesus is this – from birth man was at enmity with God, but Christ, a perfectly holy sacrifice, bore the wrath of God, so that we might be reconciled to God, and in Him might become the righteousness of God.

1 John 5:1-3 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

You know what the only time that God doesn’t give us what we desire is?  Salvation.  Each of us is completely depraved and would never choose God.  We might flirt with the idea of religion or morality for various reasons, be they cultural, or personal, but no one wakes up on day, sees the sweetness of God, and desires to live a life in subjection to His will with joy, on their own.  That would never happen.  It is the mercy and steadfast love of God that pursues sinners.  It was Christ who willingly endured the cross for the same people who tortured and mocked Him on the way to the cross.  So how do those of us who love God respond?  We obey His commandments, simply, to love God, and love others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Why is this not burdensome?  Because we have been given eyes to see that our happiness and joy is rooted in obedience to God, and we have the Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide us.  It really is that simple.

My exhortation today isn’t about how you’re doing in obeying God’s commandments.  If you’re focusing only on the outward behaviors, you’re just going to beat yourself up a lot, and you’re missing the point.  My exhortation is to ask yourself the question every day, and throughout the day, who am I going to serve?  Does my love for God extend to my desire to be obedient to Him.  If your heart is right, then your actions will follow.  May we all receive grace upon grace to have victory in that daily battle, and our faith prove itself through endurance.

Grace and Peace,
Adam