“And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”** 1 Kings 8:59-61 (NIV)**
Believers obey acceptably when we obey from the heart – not grudgingly rather willingly as God loves a cheerful giver. Also, God desires for us to stand firm in His perfect and pleasing will, mature and fully assured. And I might add, without complaint. He desires for us to be obedient, having a pure eye for His glory rather than straining to obtain vain glory for ourselves. The grace filled soul seeks to keep his focus on Jesus and be obedient to His commands with the pure motive of bringing God much glory and them much joy. They seek to please the Savior and in pleasing Him they are pleasing themselves.
A hypocrite has no such desire or delight in obedience. It is slavish for them to carry out God’s desires. Further, God seeks for His children to do His will without complaint or grumbling knowing full well delight is discovered in every duty. Remember, God desires and deserves our very best. As we do this, we leave the “aroma of Christ” in every place our feet take us rather than the stench of death. God more than often uses the “ordinary Christian” – which is indeed extraordinary – to do His bidding. We bring Jesus’ mercy, love and goodness into our spheres of influence – each of us strategically placed to do His bidding. There is no chance of happenstance with Him. We are the ones who suffer when we are not obedient to the task – He sends someone else – we won’t receive the blessing when we are unfaithful, another will.
God’s desire is for His children to make Him known to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior. He does not want us disconsolate in this great task, rather determined. And He uses the very “ordinary us” to carry out His mission. Indeed, Jesus’ parting words were to “go”. This could mean overseas, but it most likely means down the street or closer still, in the home. We are to be obedient where He has placed us and “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of Life.” People are perishing and few ponder in their hearts to be a part of this Great Commission. May it not be so with us.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)