September 29: TO WILL AND TO DO
…and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. Revelation 9:2b
Because of the spiritually dark and stormy environment in which we live, our greatest spiritual infirmity lies in the lack of appreciation for the divine effort planned on our behalf before the foundation of the world. The infinite value of the sacrifice God required for our redemption is a revelation – if only we will gaze upon the scenes of Calvary – of sin’s horror and ruthlessness. The inestimable value of the life of the Lamb of God freely given for us is in direct proportion to the deadly danger that sin confronts us with. The evil of sin has affected the entire human race, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Sin’s environment degrades the faculties of the human mind: exactly Satan’s intention. Yet, a fact that can – and should – serve as a pivotal point in each of our lives is this: temptations come to every one of us from without, and find an answering chord within our hearts; then, our feet turn imperceptibly toward evil, revealing another lack: awareness of that reality.
How can any of us possibly anticipate a positive outcome? We must learn to turn our gaze toward Jesus as our response to every temptation. As His sacrifice on our behalf was absolutely and totally complete, so must His plan be for restoration from sin’s defilement be absolutely and totally complete. Christ is our example. He said, “I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).
Countless shelves of books are filled with the laws of man. But in a single book known as the Word of God, is a set of ten inseparable commandments – one Law – that He spoke with His own voice and wrote with His own finger. Few, if any, of the complex and wordy laws of man would be necessary if people sincerely desired to obey the Lord’s commandments. This reveals yet another lack: love for God. The distractions of the world can easily take our attention away from where it belongs, whereas love for God is the key to the desperately needed overhaul of our characters. Sorting through all the worldly things that vie for our attention is not a challenge for the Holy Spirit. Anyone who truly desires to live in alignment with the Lord Jesus is given His Spirit as a constant companion; One who will never mislead or contradict His Word.
The ethics of the Gospel message acknowledge no standard but the perfect standard of the divine character of God, which is reflected in His perfect law (see Psalm 19:7). No act of wickedness is excused by God’s law. No shred of unrighteousness can escape its condemnation. It is a marvelous tutor that guides us to the reality of our greatest need: the Savior! His life is our example of obedience and the joy of service to others. He alone can re-create the heart, and He alone can renew it. Choosing to walk through this earthly life with Him is what it means to . . .
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12b-13