Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1John 2:3-5 (NKJV)
Q: Have you every been asked to do something by your parent, and just flat out refused, and then felt bad about it and changed your mind?
Q: Have you ever told your parent you'd do something when asked, but then decided not to do it?
Chances are that you probably have - in fact I would bet on it.
Q: So how am I so sure that you fall into one of these two brackets?
A: It's because we all do.
That's right! Every one of us has either blatantly refused to do what we have been asked, or we have said that we would do it, and then we didn't. I know this because everyone of us has either done this with our earthly parents, or we've done it with our Spiritual Father.
You see if we say that we are Christians then we are God's children, and He is our Heavenly Father. He has commanded us to do things in His Word, and some of us have flat out refused, only to be convicted later, and as a result, we've repented (changed our mind and turned around), and obeyed. While others of us have said, "Okay, I'll do that for sure" - only to never obey.
Q: So which way of handling that situation was worse?
Jesus proposes the same question to the Pharisees in Matthew 21.
"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, "I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir', but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:28-31 (NKJV)
Jesus gave us an example of two types of people - one who was outwardly rebellious, and one was outwardly in agreement. Both people heard, but only one actually listened - but both had a change of heart.
I'm sure that there are many people who are reading this right now who could identify with the first rebellious person. Maybe you heard the Word of God at one point in your life and thought, "No way! I'm not going to do that - I'm going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it." Only to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit later, and come to the understanding that it really would be best to abide in what was asked.
I'm sure that there are others who might be reading this right about now, who relate more to the second person who agreed to obey with what was asked, but failed to follow through. They knew that it was the right thing to do - but somewhere down the road, they just lost focus and decided to do their "Own thing."
Both people had a "Change of Heart," but only one was in the will of God, and that was the person who started off rebellious, but saw the error of their ways. That's the person who said, "Hey, I'm wrong, I need to repent and go in the other direction."
Jesus knew this full and well. And He also knew that the other person represents those who have a false exterior and are hypocritical. Those people who know the Word and acknowledge it is the proper thing to do - but they don't follow through or abide in the God's Word.
You know we are given great instruction about following God's Word - being doers of it, and not just listeners who bob our heads and say, "Amen." Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) And we read in the Book of John where He said,
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, where is your heart today? Are you one who agrees with the word of God, but doesn't do it? Well, if you are, then you are going to get a chance to be the other person now - if you know that you are being rebellious in a certain area of your life right now then simply confess it to God and repent. Get a "Change of Heart and change your direction today."
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about following God's commandments according to the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being rebellious against God? Is there something that He has asked you to do, where you have declined? Have you agreed only to do your own thing?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord today and ask if there are areas where you are not abiding in what you know to be right. Repent and follow God's commands.
Q: Have you every been asked to do something by your parent, and just flat out refused, and then felt bad about it and changed your mind?
Q: Have you ever told your parent you'd do something when asked, but then decided not to do it?
Chances are that you probably have - in fact I would bet on it.
Q: So how am I so sure that you fall into one of these two brackets?
A: It's because we all do.
That's right! Every one of us has either blatantly refused to do what we have been asked, or we have said that we would do it, and then we didn't. I know this because everyone of us has either done this with our earthly parents, or we've done it with our Spiritual Father.
You see if we say that we are Christians then we are God's children, and He is our Heavenly Father. He has commanded us to do things in His Word, and some of us have flat out refused, only to be convicted later, and as a result, we've repented (changed our mind and turned around), and obeyed. While others of us have said, "Okay, I'll do that for sure" - only to never obey.
Q: So which way of handling that situation was worse?
Jesus proposes the same question to the Pharisees in Matthew 21.
"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, "I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir', but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:28-31 (NKJV)
Jesus gave us an example of two types of people - one who was outwardly rebellious, and one was outwardly in agreement. Both people heard, but only one actually listened - but both had a change of heart.
I'm sure that there are many people who are reading this right now who could identify with the first rebellious person. Maybe you heard the Word of God at one point in your life and thought, "No way! I'm not going to do that - I'm going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it." Only to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit later, and come to the understanding that it really would be best to abide in what was asked.
I'm sure that there are others who might be reading this right about now, who relate more to the second person who agreed to obey with what was asked, but failed to follow through. They knew that it was the right thing to do - but somewhere down the road, they just lost focus and decided to do their "Own thing."
Both people had a "Change of Heart," but only one was in the will of God, and that was the person who started off rebellious, but saw the error of their ways. That's the person who said, "Hey, I'm wrong, I need to repent and go in the other direction."
Jesus knew this full and well. And He also knew that the other person represents those who have a false exterior and are hypocritical. Those people who know the Word and acknowledge it is the proper thing to do - but they don't follow through or abide in the God's Word.
You know we are given great instruction about following God's Word - being doers of it, and not just listeners who bob our heads and say, "Amen." Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) And we read in the Book of John where He said,
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, where is your heart today? Are you one who agrees with the word of God, but doesn't do it? Well, if you are, then you are going to get a chance to be the other person now - if you know that you are being rebellious in a certain area of your life right now then simply confess it to God and repent. Get a "Change of Heart and change your direction today."
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about following God's commandments according to the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being rebellious against God? Is there something that He has asked you to do, where you have declined? Have you agreed only to do your own thing?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord today and ask if there are areas where you are not abiding in what you know to be right. Repent and follow God's commands.
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