Slaves of Obedience

Romans 6:16 - "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?"

The entire human race is in spiritual slavery. Most do not know this, nor would they believe it if presented with this fact. In truth, we are either slaves to sin or God. However, those who know the Savior understand how Jesus Christ is not a cruel taskmaster like sin and the law. He never demands but always desires we do according to His will out of a heart of love. Obedience in this manner does not seem like slavery, but is instead a relationship of a bond-slave with his Master (Exodus 21:5-6).

We are all presenting ourselves daily to our respective master. Whether it is sin or God's grace – it is ultimately our choice. Both require surrender and obedience and will eventually turn us into the image of the one who controls us. Beloved, may we desire not the world for if we serve our flesh we are already dead. If we obey Christ and cling to Him, we will experience all the fullness of the Lord in this life and the one to come.

The Path of Life

Psalm 16:11 - "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

Many desire to find the "path of life." Symptomatic of finding God's path is the joy that always confirms we have chosen the right way. Some might suggest they find peace in their religion. However, unless there is accompanying joy, there is no true relationship.

God the Father invites His faithful to enter into the joy of His presence when we will one day step between time and eternity (Matthew 25:23). However, He invites us all to practice His presence now and taste the joy we will experience for all eternity. All we must do is proceed with surrender to Jesus down the path of life.

Unshaken Peace

Psalm 16:8 - "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Many purport their fidelity to the Lord. Yet, many of these, when the going gets tough, will often falter and wring their hands in despair. It is admirable to spend time in daily devotions with the Lord. However, in order for us to stay in the peaceful eye of the storm, one has to create a habit of setting the Lord continually before us. Our "devotions" must span the entire day in whatever we do. Whether it is time in the word, or time washing the dishes, our affections should be continually stayed upon Him.

Things will constantly shake all around us. Whether they are relationships, situations, or circumstances, the world's power is prone to upset our peace. Instead, the peace of God can be the heritage of every believer if we will but look to the author and perfecter of our salvation (Hebrews 12:2). Our continuous gaze toward the Beloved is our only hope of unshaken peace.

Eternal Wages

Romans 4:4-5 - "Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."

How many of us demand our wages from God? Romans 6:23 tells us regarding our true earnings. What religion will never understand is that what we do for God will never amount to anything of eternal value. However, what we do in God will ultimately remain for eternity. If we are motivated to be good out of a sense of obligation, then we will be disappointed in our wages on that last day. But if we are empowered by a great love for the Savior, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us for His glory, then we will not view it as our work whatsoever.

What will we have credited to our accounts when we cross the veil to eternity? Will we be a sheep or a goat on that final day? (Matthew 25:31-46) It will depend whether we have religion or relationship. If we are seeking anything other than Jesus, our pursuit has become a religion of dead works (including the religion of self-seeking). If we desire to know Christ, then He will empower His works through us and credit His righteousness to our accounts. In both instances, we will enter into either the joy or sorrow of our respective master.

Sure-footedness in God

Habakkuk 3:19 - "The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places."

It is quite amazing to watch a video of an Israeli Ibex as it traverses the steep mountains of the Judean Desert. Their sure-footedness is uncanny how they can securely place their back hooves in front of their front ones, providing them stability as they climb or descend. The amazing coordination between their sight and their sense of touch with their surroundings is certainly something the prophet marveled at regarding the heritage of the Lord in his regard.

Like the hind or the Ibex, Habakkuk understood there is no fear as long as God is in our midst. The high places can often seem scary to an onlooker. However, when God is with us, we can be sure He is instinctively giving us the wisdom to step according to His will. There is nothing more comforting to know that no matter what we see or feel, God is leading and guiding us through both the high and low places of life.

The Hiding of God's Power

Habakkuk 3:4 - "His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and there is the hiding of His power."

God's all-powerfulness is something we can only speculate in its regard. The Eternal Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God must veil Himself to mortal flesh. Otherwise, we would be consumed by not only His holiness, but His sheer magnitude of glory. However, there is coming a day when we will see Him in His entire splendor and like the angels in heaven we will cry for joy, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ... God of power and might!"

Will the day of His revealing be a day of rejoicing or a day of mourning? Paul states how those who have not accepted Christ will suffer eternal punishment by separation from this awesome power (II Thessalonians 1:0). Often, the greatest regret is knowing what we might have enjoyed. This will be the heritage of those who see His great power and splendor and then to be reminded of what they have foregone due to their disobedience to accept Jesus' great gift.

God's Promises Through Obedience

Exodus 17:6 - "'Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.' And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.'"

Moses' obedience to God secured him a place of honor and respect "in the sight of the elders of Israel." He did exactly what God told him to do which secured his leadership role as a humble, obedient servant. However, several years later, he came to a very similar situation in Numbers 20 where God told him to speak to the rock and yet he disobeyed by once again striking the rock (Numbers 20:11). This act of disobedience kept Moses from entering the Promised Land along with the twelve tribes.

We all have places of leadership in our respective homes, businesses, ministries, etc. What was good and proper in one situation may not be God's will every time. He may tell us to show strength and assertiveness in dealing with a person or a situation. Then, He may require us (in a different setting) to merely speak in a kind, loving way to reconcile a difference. The Ten Commandments are black and white and fairly simple to know when we have disobeyed. However, it takes listening intently to hear when God speaks the entirety of His will. The still, small voice of God is just as important to obey as God's written law. The disobedience of either will keep us from entering into all God has for us.