Monday, October 10, 2011

October 11, 2011

DAY 10 OF THE EKG DEVOTIONALS

Many writers have offered numerous suggestions on how we can achieve purity of heart and soul. Some people read these books looking for a simple formula, hoping to find a low-commitment path to holiness.

It's kind of like dieting. The experts lead us from fad to fad, creating as many side effects as they do success stories. But basically it always boils down to this: to lose weight, eat less and exercise more. It's a fairly simple formula.

For those who may be looking for simple steps to holiness, I'll give you just one: we experience holiness by being obedient to the Lord. This is because partial obedience is total disobedience. Delayed obedience is present-tense disobedience. Thus, full obedience is the only cure for disobedience.

I Know that many people today - many Christians, in fact - do not live consistently be the teachings of God's Word. Truth is, we all face a daily struggle to let His truth capture our affections and control our behavior. But obedience is the only proper response for a kingdom person.

Why obey? Because He has redeemed us. "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"  Titus 2:11-12

Why obey? Because He is holy. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16

Why obey? Because this is His purpose for us. "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;" Deuteronomy 11:26-27

Obedience opens the floodgate for blessing, which enables us to be a blessing to others!