Time for half measures is over….
Luke 6:46 (NASB95) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Jesus says very clearly that the fruit of discipleship, of being a Christ follower is a deliberate obedience to the things that Christ has said. This is what Christians do, they obey Christ. Not one of us is doing it perfectly, or even close. But that must be the intention and trajectory of our lives. To obey everything that Christ has said.
At Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana, Mary, Jesus’s mother says to those who were troubled about running out of wine, “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.” There it is. Whatever He tells you to do, do it. It may cost you some of your friends, it may cost you your family, it may cost you your comfort, it may even cost you your life. But that is the call of Christ. He will be Lord of all of your life or Lord of none of your life. If He tells you to stop, then surrender it to Him with all your heart and humble yourself before Him. If He tells you to move out of living together, then move out of living together. If He tells you to stop living so selfishly, then stop living so selfishly. If you are a taker and not a giver, then start supporting the work of God, start giving sacrificially. Whatever He tells you to do, do it. It’s radical, it’s crazy and it’s 100% what he desires and requires.
You don’t have the strength to do it on you own, but in Christ you have the strength. Recently the Lord called someone to obedience and they prayed for the Lord to give them the strength to see it through. The response of the Lord was, “I already did”. How often are we waiting for God to move, when He was already moved, already died on the cross for our sins and sonship, already defeated satan and the grave for our victory and freedom and already sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to tell the world the good news about Jesus.
The time for half measures is over. It’s time to put Him first in your life.
I love you, Randy