Holiness and Obedience

Our earthly plans and their outcomes matter little in the grand scheme of things. Our goals, the accumulation of power, and things that we spend so much time on may have less importance than we may be willing to admit. As Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:24 “All men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” What does matter? Obedience to the truth. Which truth you ask?

The truth that Jesus is Lord.

The realization that Jesus is Lord puts our lives into perspective. Suddenly our own striving is put on the scale next to the eternal and is found lacking. But God doesn’t leave us at a dead end. Jesus opens the way for a relationship with God that we were made for. Embracing that relationship is the key to a life lived well. Because Jesus was raised from the dead and forgives our sins, we can believe in God. (1 Peter 1:21) The question is will we? Will we believe in a God who demands our utmost loyalty? Will we believe in a God who asks us to love as he loves, even laying down our lives? Will we believe in a God who doesn’t care about how we look or how much money we make because he can provide everything we need? Will we believe in a God who requires that we use our will to follow him?

Action:

Ask the Holy Spirit to search you, to know your inmost being, and to reveal to you the areas in your life where Jesus is not Lord.

Has God spoken to you? Take a moment to reflect on what God wants you to do. Turn it into an “I will” action and share it with someone. For instance:

• Share with someone: “I feel that Jesus is not Lord in my life in this area … will you pray for me?”
• Encourage someone: “Recognizing Jesus’ Lordship in my life makes this difference (example) in this way (example).”