Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

OBEDIENCE: A DECISION OF YOUR HEART

Modern life is often a “Don’t blame me, I am not responsible” society. Many folks are quick to disavow any association with a circumstance or action that may reek of any degree of responsibility toward them. It seems things are always someone else’s fault. Where does one’s responsibility to others end, and his own responsibility begin, especially in spiritual matters?

Think with me for a moment!

Paul freely acknowledged that he was a “. . . debtor both to the Greeks and the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Romans 1:14. Christians are under divine obligation, as well as privilege, to share the saving gospel of Christ Jesus to the world. Some take this seriously, but sadly, some don’t. Even so, every person on earth, in every generation, is under divine obligation to repent of sin, and receive Christ Jesus as his personal Savior. No one can be a substitute in that decision. Moreover, every Christian is both mandated, and under heavy obligation to be obedient to the God of his salvation Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. No one can fill that responsibility for another in spite of what some religions teach. They are decisions of the heart of every person every day.

If obedience seems burdensome, something is wrong! Jesus said his yoke is easy and His burden light. The greatest sense of peace, and its accompanying joy comes from a clean conscience through knowledge that one is fully aware of being in agreement with God. On the other hand, trying to sandwich personal Christianity between worldly activities only results in a divided mind, a darkened eye, and a propensity to judge oneself in the light of other sinners deemed to be worse off, instead of the criteria of God that is set forth in the word and works of Christ Jesus.

What is needed today in the Lord’s churches and in the world at large are Christians who will “man up, stand up, and confess up!” Like David of old, sin may intervene at times, but because of the decision of his heart, God recognized him as “a man after His own Heart!”

FOR THOUGHT: Every reader to stop wallowing in spiritual lethargy, and finding excuses in the failures of men. Rather, each one should look to the perfection of Jesus who died substitutionally for all, and Who offers unparalleled joy of life to all who meet with Him one-on- one, and decide in their own heart to receive Him without reservation!

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