Obedience is the key to understanding!

 ⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 HCSB

This week we have seen the reaction to the grand jury’s decision in Ferguson, MO. It is pretty easy to say how can they react that way? What’s wrong with those people? Be honest, on our side it is easy to say that of others. I have no understanding of the dynamic in that community or any community of color.

We do that to those who act or react in a way that we don’t understand. It’s easy. We want what we want when we want it and will use any means necessary to get it. That’s how we started in this world. That’s what a toddler does.

Toddlers are not taught or schooled how to be selfish. No, they came out of the chute selfish. We teach them to share over time. We learn to share over time or at least we are supposed to learn. We don’t or haven’t learned. Christ was obedient to death on the cross. He was obedient to his Father’s will regardless of the consequences. That’s where we are going, obedience. That is what it is to die to self, to be crucified with Christ, obedience. Sometimes we fool ourselves into believing we are obedient.

Max Lucado writes from The Grip of Grace There are times when the one thing you want is the one thing you never get…You pray and wait. No answer. You pray and wait. May I ask you a very important question? What it God says no? What if the request is delayed or even denied? When God says no to you, how will you respond? If God says, “I’ve given you my grace, and that is enough,” will you be content? I would add the question, “Will you be obedient?” Or, are you tempted to help God out or explain away His answer with some excuse or reason like, “God wants me to be happy!” or “Surely he wouldn’t say that?” ”He has given me a sign or maybe that’s his sign.”

Lucado continues, “will you be content? Content. That’s the word. A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than he already has.”

Ugh, would you could you be content waiting on God? Probably not, our nature is that of willful rebellion against God. You prayed for your Mom or friend or whomever to be healed. God heard your prayer and healed them just not how you wanted because they died. You yell and scream, how mean God is and how you don’t trust him, how unjust He is etc. You decide if He is like that then you don’t need him or his church. Question, did you forget to be in Heaven with Jesus is to be whole and Holy as Jesus is holy. Sin completely healed without scar or shame. He heard your prayer, answered your pray and honored your prayer. However, it was not how you liked. You are mad! We understand those in Ferguson, MO better than we thought. It doesn’t make that response right just familiar.

To be obedient is to be content with God’s plan, purpose and your position in His Kingdom.

Understanding is a position of humility, piety and gratitude just like Jesus.

In HIS Service and yours,

Bro G