Posted on 01/01/2024 5:40:14 AM PST by metmom
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).
Just as organizations have rules their members must follow, God has standards Christians must live by.
When someone is part of a group, he or she is obligated to follow its laws or standards. American citizens are required to obey the laws of the United States. Employees must conform to the rules of their company. Athletic teams are expected to listen to their coach.
Most of us want to be part of a group because with belonging comes acceptance. This desire to conform can be quite strong, sometimes dangerously so. During Jesus’ time, “many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12:42-43). Those rulers were so committed to their religious system that they damned their souls by rigidly adhering to its code.
Some people think belonging to the church is different though. They want the blessings, rights, and privileges of being a child of God, but they’re unwilling to conform to biblical standards. But God expects Christians to live a certain way. Paul told the Corinthian believers to remove from their midst all who live immorally (1 Cor. 5:1-2). In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 he says, “Keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.”
Since people can join athletic teams and businesses and follow the rules, since people can be so fearful of being cast out of their society that they forfeit their souls, since people can be so devoted to things that don’t matter, shouldn’t Christians make an even greater commitment to what matters most? In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul tells us how we can “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called” (v. 1). Let’s commit ourselves to obey God as we learn what He requires of us.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God to show you areas where your commitment to Him is lacking, and for help in strengthening those areas.
For Further Study
Read John 9.
What were the parents of the man born blind most committed to?
What effect did that commitment have on them?
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you for posting these devotionals.
May I humbly disagree on a few points here?
We DO NOT HAVE STANDARDS. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR STANDARD. There are no others. Other standards, regardless of how good they are, apart from the Lord Jesus are RELIGION, self-righteousness - and impossible. The fruit of the Spirit aren’t standards: they are the character of Christ, and we cannot duplicate them. They are Him, in the Holy Spirit, and only ours as we let Him live in and through us.
Commitment is found nowhere in the Bible. Tozer and A.B. Simpson point this out. Commitment is RELIGION.
What is found in the Bible is SURRENDER.
The flesh loves commitment - it thinks it can do it. Commitment always fails. Always.
And surrender is never once and done. It is continual, daily.
True.
Well, I didn’t write it. I only post them. But the discussion is good.
You are correct about commitment. I can commit to things and find that almost always, I eventually don’t keep it. I’m too weak in the flesh. And reflecting on it, commitment is a decision I make, apparently, in the flesh.
Praise God that He saves us and keeps us, because if my salvation depended on my faithfulness and consistency, I’d be in a world of hurt.
God be with all of you. My first writing of 2024 involves gentle spirit direction. This new year, look to the one who is holy and majestic, losing the spirit of fear. Often it creeps upon us unknowingly.
Pray, study, seek, provide wisdom and direction, not prideful proclamations and judgments to the children. Join with the guidance and discernment of the spirit. Avoid disagreements for disagreements’ sake, and if a path leads to sinful anger, avoid it.
I am of advanced age, and in poor health, and each year I rise wondering if this is my last one here. The last two have not been good and I lay them aside.
The Spirit of Jesus Christ, the king of glory, bless you all in fullness this year in all your endeavors.
Thank you for this dedication, Metmon.
Who am I to take on McArthur? I’m a nobody and am just one loved by God.
Not at all a correction of you my beloved sister in Christ. I just have to respond when a leader goes off track on something pretty basic and major. It must be addressed.
Have I gone off? Of course - He keeps bringing me back to the center - the Lord Jesus.
I only wish to do the same.
Most of us want to be part of a group because with belonging comes acceptance. This desire to conform can be quite strong, sometimes dangerously so.
...........................................................
This is exactly the longing that groomers exploit while seducing children. The young generation and their parents, in general, are so lost that rather than belong to Christ’s church, they seek belonging to groups that lead them into death and destruction. It’s heartbreaking.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.