"14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. " (NIV)
When we first read this text it really sounds a little abrasive and harsh. There is certainly no sympathy here and it is stated in a 'matter of fact' way and that is a way that most people do not like. For the simple fact that emotions nor feelings are taken into consideration, but honestly you can get over your emotions...but you can't get over hell. (I'm just saying)
This text issues us several challenges:
1. Don't assume that you will see tomorrow
Keep in mind that it is not the alarm clock that wakes you up every morning. God has chosen to breathe into you all night long and He never stopped. Sometimes I don't think we consider the fact that God is ordering and commanding our organs to function like they should. We also don't consider the fact that disobedience opens the door for sin to attack us and we don't get to choose the attack. As the old saying goes..."Sin will take further than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay".
2. Submit to the will of God for your life
When people are told this they look at you crazy because they don't want to give up control of their lives. PSA: YOU DON'T CONTROL YOUR LIFE ANYWAY! If we were to think about it, our jobs control our time, mental space, energy, behaviors and emotions for the time that we are on that clock. Even if you are a model employee, you are doing the job you were hired to do and that is according to the companies rules...not yours. If you are a parent, you model your schedule based on your kids schedule, which means they control your time as well. So how much of your life to do you really control....ABSOLUTELY NONE OF IT! So why not give your life over to someone that can at least lead you to the job that will allow to bless and receive blessings AND lead you to a mate that you will allow you to live in a home full of God 's Word, His presence, and His love so that you can pass that on to your kids (if you have any). There are major benefits to having God in control, but we are often under the illusion that we control something. My thought is this...I'll be doggone if I am going to go through hell on this side just to be in hell on the other. Sorry...can't support!
3. If you are not obedient to the will of God you are sinning
We often want to say that if you break the Ten Commandments you are committing a sin. Well the truth is, everything that comes from God is a commandment and we are expected to follow it. He is the HGIC (Head God In Charge). There are some things that are for the collective body, such as the 10 Commandments. And then there are some things that pertain to you and only you. It doesn't matter if other people are doing it and it doesn't matter if you agree with it. You were told to do it or not do it and that is that. If you think about Samson...he was told to never cut his hair. Now his parents followed this commandment that was given by God, but when he got out on his own He thought he could be slick. He was like most young people. They get away from Mom and Dad and try to be slick. But there is always someone better than you at doing what you think you do best. So please don't try it. There is a price to pay for sin and like my grandmother used to say: "Don't let your mouth write a check that your tail can't cash" And that my friends is real talk. Don't play with sin. Obey God to the best of your understanding and whatever you don't understand, just ask and He will give you wisdom. And if you notice, I didn't say to the best of your ability. For the simple fact, that whatever God has required of you He has already given you the ability to do it.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
No comments:
Post a Comment