I wonder if we always understand who Jesus really was. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Source of eternal life: ^9-10Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.

We don’t take responsibility for sharing eternal life with others. That’s Jesus’ calling. Each of us has a different calling. But we must try our utmost to follow Jesus. In other words, we must follow Jesus’ example and do as He did when He was here on earth.

The instruction is very simple. We must obey God and do exactly what He expects of us. Yes, that’s a simple instruction, easy to understand, but why is it so difficult to do?

Do you also struggle with this sometimes? All too often I wake up and realise that I haven’t obeyed God’s command and did exactly what I know God doesn’t like. That makes me feel really bad. I’ve tripped up again and the results aren’t good to see.

Why is it such a struggle to live within the lines of God’s will? Why do we lose our tempers so quickly? Why do we have such loose tongues that say things that hurt others? Why do I enjoy doing those things that I know God doesn’t enjoy seeing me do?

I wondered what the answer to these questions could be for a long time.

I suspect it’s because our own will is still too strong and still controls our lives. We were created with our own will so that we can decide for ourselves for or against God. God gives us the power to decide whether or not to follow Him.

But if we choose God, we must realise that we cannot continue living the way we want to. Our will has served its purpose and should be shifted into the background. God’s will must now set the tone for our lives.

However, you can’t just snap your fingers and it is done. In a way, our own will has to die so that God’s will can come alive in our lives. For most of us, that is a long and hard process. Actually, the process is too much for us to implement successfully.

We need the Holy Spirit. We must intentionally open more and more places in our lives so that He can enter. The problem is that we don’t let Him into those places that we enjoy so much. And that’s why we fall down again and again.

To struggle less to live within the lines of God’s will, to lose our tempers less, to better control our tongues, and to do more things with positive results, we need to spend more time at Jesus’ feet. Then his Spirit will play a bigger role in our lives.

As a result, we will become more obedient to God and we will no longer do what God doesn’t like. Let’s start doing that right now.

Scripture
Hebrews 5:7-10

Reflection
Where are you still disobedient?
Where do you do things that God doesn’t like?
How can you make more time to sit at God’s feet?

Prayer
Our Father, I am so ashamed of my disobedience. I know I sometimes do things that You don’t like. Please help me to walk within your will. In Jesus’ Name, amen.