June 17, 2022
Jesus said:
“If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
There are so many who bristle at the word “command.” This is because Satan has succeeded in interfering with the correct perception of God’s character. Instead of the loving Redeemer that He is, whose will it is to lead us out of our lost condition, the adversary paints Him as a cruel taskmaster. This perception of God is actually very revealing about the character of its propagator who delights in making our Savior appear as a tyrannical dictator. By rejecting God and rebelling against His commandments, these people are ironically making themselves subject to the tyranny of sin and Satan, who wants to keep us enslaved.
Simultaneously, Satan operates on a completely opposite tack, convincing others that He is a “jovial old grandfather” who turns a blind eye to sin and doesn’t really mean what His divine commands say. These know that God is love, but their concept of love is not the pure, selfless, transforming love that the Lord wants to lavish upon us. There is a shallow, worldly use of the word “love” that encompasses whatever someone likes or wants to do.
Because we are the objects of God’s affection, the adversary wants us to be lost; he wants to hurt God by hurting us. Humans are caught in the crossfire of a war that began in heaven before our world was created (Revelation 12:7-8). This war has continued upon the earth. The war is between Christ and Satan, good and evil. It is the highest honor to serve our Creator and Redeemer! Choosing to disregard His explicit instructions will, by default, render one obedient to His adversary. There is no neutral position!
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. John 14:23-24
There are many old hymns that refer to the Lord’s army, correctly reflecting the fact of the ongoing war between right and wrong. Our Commander in Chief is Jesus. He is leading those who will follow Him toward total victory over sin’s tyranny and its resulting death. If I really know my Commander in Chief, it is a joy to obey Him. The guidance and protection that come with a desire to be in God’s will is a priceless blessing! His Holy Spirit represents our Commander in Chief to guide us daily. His word often rebukes us, and we must humbly accept correction. This is actually a wonderful blessing of the Lord. Through sincere repentance when we falter and fail, we may be restored to fellowship with Him. Repentance itself is a gift, affectionately referred to by many as “the gift of tears.” As we grow in faith, we learn more of our faults and weaknesses, yet our ability to “march forward in procession” is completed in His strength. He is at work within us. GLORY!
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9