WHAT MOVES GOD: IS IT SENTIMENT OR OBEDIENCE?

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Hebrews 12:14-17

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.

You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.


One error I see in some preachings of certain teachers/pastors is emotional blackmail or pure sentiment.


A certain type of entitlement that makes any gullible follower assume that they can move God by their tears, sentiment or open show.


Well, when you study the scriptures you understand the scriptures, for Samuel told Saul:


1 Samuel 15:22

But Samuel replied, 

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? 

Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.


Then he went on to talk of rebellion then declared Saul's rejection:


1 Samuel 15:23

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. 

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”


This is why instructions are very important. See the instructions Paul gave in the opening verses, they are not new, they were scriptures before he said them and the remain scriptures after he quoted them.


You cannot live your life anyhow then except the Lord to step in to make it perfect. Yes we are not under the bondage of the law, we are under grace and truth:


John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.


John 1:17 (KJV)

For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.


What does grace and truth mean? Grace is the finished work of Christ that now enables us to walk in the truth, what is the truth, Christ Jesus, the word of God.


So you cannot have grace without truth:


John 8:32

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”


Ephesians 2:8

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.


And the truth has to do with obedience.


John 14:15-17

“If you love me, obey my commandments.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.


So you see the broader explanation of salvation. Obedience!


So not everyone will be like the thief on the cross, who reached out when he had no time to live on earth, we all want to live long on earth, thus we must walk in obedience.


Listen, even that thief walked in obedience, when all others, those still living and the one on the tree with him who was also about to die rebelled, he saw salvation and grabbed it. That is obedience.


For Christ desired that we live long on earth:


John 17:15

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.


What He is saying is that we live in obedience and not fall into the trap of the evil/lawless one.


So forget all the supposed enticing and silver coated teaching/preaching if you are God's own, you will walk in obedience.


My mentors Joseph and Daniel walked rightly yet they found themselves in strange lands as bond men (at a tender age) yet they did not let the situation or bondage make them walk away from obedience, they walked in obedience. WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE?


Study the scriptures live the true life of Christ, forget all the gimmicks and declarations that they promise you, if you are not obedient don't expect to reap the fruits of obedience. Selah


How much time do you spend with the Lord daily?


Heavenly Father keep us in full obedience to You, let Your loving hands hold us closely to You that we may not drift to another. Glory to Your name forevermore.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher

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