When you read the title of this post, were your first thoughts taken back to young children who failed to pick up their room or go to bed when it was time? Maybe your thoughts went instead to an employee who always said "I will get that done," but they never did. Neither of those situations inspired this article.
My frustration is being caused by a computer that doesn't respond to the commands I am sending to it. Maybe it is caused by all of this new AI formatting that is being promoted and placed in my programs when I upgrade. Or maybe, it is like my wife has said, "It is time to get a new computer." That could be the problem. This one is old in terms of computer age and its memory is near capacity. It really doesn't matter the reason for its disobedience; I am still frustrated and disappointed in its performance.
Switching places, what if I am the one who is disobedient - not to the computer but to God. I wonder if God is frustrated and disappointed by my performance. Afterall, the Bible is filled with commands and guidelines that He has provided for me to live life better than I am doing. In John 14:15, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples:
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
In what we have labeled the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave numerous instructions about how we should be living our lives. In Matthew, chapters 5-7, He gave many commandments ranging from dealing with anger and lust to responding to enemies and on treating others the way we wish to be treated. He included help on how to pray and on what to value in those chapters. The more I read through those words the more I realize that there is more disobedience present in my life than I would have thought.
Paul included in his letter to the Christians at Rome these powerful words:
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
The truth is that we are disobedient in regards to parents and employers from time to time. However, the most important failing in our lives is when we are disobedient to God. Failing to keep His commandments, failing to do what He asks of us, and altering His instructions to fit our preferences are all acts of disobedience (sin).
While my computer solution will probably result in buying a new computer, my relationship with God is not fixed by finding a new god. Rather, through faith in Jesus Christ I am reconciled to God. That doesn't mean that I am now perfect. I still sin and disobey. However, God has offered to us forgiveness when we confess and repent of that sin. He has also said that we are to extend forgiveness to those who have hurt or sinned against us.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
ours sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another
as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Matthew 6:15
Today would be a great time to seek out God's path for your life as He reveals it through the Bible. The result can be a life of obedience instead of disobedience. Seek His forgiveness for the sin that is present in your life and begin living in obedience instead. Our lives are greatly enriched when we live in obedience to our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer rather than living in opposition to His wonderful plans for us.
Have a great week living in obedience to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
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