Reluctant Obedience

"Obedience to God's will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God's will that brings certainty." ~ Eric Liddel

This week I have been studying about the early churches obediece to Jesus' Global mandate. The study started with the quote above. At first I didn't get it. But after the study is over i completely understand and totally get it!

At the beginning of Acts the church had a really good start they were preaching God's word and getting a GREAT response. And then the hard ships came and they became more reluctant to obey. Then you have Barnabas the Encourager. The more I studied the more ties I saw to my life. When you first commit to something I am all on fire for it and start strong and then after awhile when I hit hard ships I freak out and start to second guess myself! The Lord did not give me a spirit of fear!! The Lord said it and that should be it. I should not be questioning anything! I hate how the devil has his sly ways of getting in there and having us second guess ourselves!!

When the church in Acts got that way the Lord sent Barabas to encourage them and to lift their spirits! It is the same with us...Sometimes we work so hard and feel as though we are getting nowhere. That is when times get tough. However we can always have Hope in the Lord. Because the question is not will we succeed in obtaining God's Global goal!! In Revelation 7:9-10 we have beautiful picture of what the success will look like. "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that on one could count, from every NATION, TRIBE, PEOPLE, AND LANGUAGE, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robesand were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'" HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT!!!???

I already know that the madate will be completed but the question is, am I going to be apart of the generation who steps up and completes the task?

The challenge has been set! Now I must try and work UNreluctantly towards the goal that the Lord has sat in front of me!

Now think about that quote...."Obedience to God's will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God's will that brings certainty." ~ Eric Liddel