July 27: The Way to Know
Today's entry starts with a part of a statement from Jesus. Here is more of what He said after being asked how He got such learning without having attended a rabbinical school: My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him Who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he wil find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:16-17 NIV.
Bro. Chambers doesn't pull any punches today, does he? The topic is obedience, and the bottom line is "if things are dark to me, then I may BE SURE there is something I will not do." How many times have I demanded a cafeteria-style obedience, wanting to pick and choose in which things I will submit. I grow stagnant spiritually, convicted that it is because of some point of defiance to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, and then whine, "But, Lord, I obey You more than most people I know! What You ask is too hard for me, so let's just move on to the next thing!" For our own good, Jesus will not deal with us when we are being this kind of "religious humbug."
The best example I know of the amazing results of obedience is in the story of how Tim Wilkins, a former homosexual, became a happy, married-with-three-children, heterosexual by simply obeying the commands of the Bible. Although he couldn't imagine ever having an attraction to a woman, he knew the Bible said that sex outside of marriage was wrong, so he chose to abstain, thinking that he would have to remain celebate for life. Gradually, he desired a relationship with a person, as he says, "where the parts fit," and is thrilled with his life. His story can be found at www.crossministry.org (click on "Tim's Story") if you would like to read it.
Jesus, please help all of us to absord the teachings from Your Word and not shirk from it. Let us set You as our standard of behavior, not those around us. May we be willing to run "the risk of being thought fanatical if we obey what God tells us." Actually, being that kind of a radical sounds kind of fun!
Bro. Chambers doesn't pull any punches today, does he? The topic is obedience, and the bottom line is "if things are dark to me, then I may BE SURE there is something I will not do." How many times have I demanded a cafeteria-style obedience, wanting to pick and choose in which things I will submit. I grow stagnant spiritually, convicted that it is because of some point of defiance to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, and then whine, "But, Lord, I obey You more than most people I know! What You ask is too hard for me, so let's just move on to the next thing!" For our own good, Jesus will not deal with us when we are being this kind of "religious humbug."
The best example I know of the amazing results of obedience is in the story of how Tim Wilkins, a former homosexual, became a happy, married-with-three-children, heterosexual by simply obeying the commands of the Bible. Although he couldn't imagine ever having an attraction to a woman, he knew the Bible said that sex outside of marriage was wrong, so he chose to abstain, thinking that he would have to remain celebate for life. Gradually, he desired a relationship with a person, as he says, "where the parts fit," and is thrilled with his life. His story can be found at www.crossministry.org (click on "Tim's Story") if you would like to read it.
Jesus, please help all of us to absord the teachings from Your Word and not shirk from it. Let us set You as our standard of behavior, not those around us. May we be willing to run "the risk of being thought fanatical if we obey what God tells us." Actually, being that kind of a radical sounds kind of fun!
posted by Jane at 2:53 AM
1 Comments:
I'm so glad you got the book before you left for Oxford. Please do not ever feel pressure to post or comment on this blog if you don't have time. Kevin did not created this site for us to be a burden. He just wants us to be able to share the lessons we are learning from the Lord when we can.
I had read the "Cruel Joke" article by Tim Wilkins before, but was even more impressed this time by the simplicity of his message. Two basics facts, stated without argument, make a huge hole in the "born homosexual" defense.
Be careful on your trip!!
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