HOW DO YOU FEEL? (part-07)

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCOMPLETE IN ‘KNOWING THE LORD’?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
(1 John 2:3)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever known someone who wanted to join a club or organization
and after they became a member, they began trying to change all the rules?
Changing the rules could be a good thing, or it could disrupt the purpose of
the club, or organization.

However, knowing and belonging to the Lord does not work like that. God
established His laws, and man does not have the luxury or permission to
change them. If we want to ‘know Him’, we must learn to accept and obey
His commands. We can convince ourselves that we know Him and promote
ourselves as Christians, but the scriptures tell us that when we live in any
type of opposition to His commands, we are classified as liars.
    Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do
    what he commands is a liar, and the truth is
    not in that person.
    (1 John 2:4)
We are also identified as someone who cannot be trusted
because ‘the truth is not in that person’.

Conversely, if we do obey His commands,
we prove that our love for God is real, and we are ‘in Him’.
    But if anyone obeys his word, love for God
    is truly made complete in them. This is how
    we know we are in him:
    (1 John 2:5)

How do we accomplish obedience to His commands? We achieve
it by developing a mindset similar to the one of Jesus. And when
we do, we learn to live in the same manner as He did.
    In your relationships with one another,
    have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
    (Philippians 2:5)

    Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
    (1 John 2:6)

    Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are
    wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
    (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Sounds like radical changes are in order doesn’t it? Well,
fundamental and essential changes ARE required if we
want to ‘know the Lord’. Some choose to live by their own
rules and convince themselves they belong to the Lord. But
Jesus says they will discover the error of their ways when it
is too late to correct them.
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
      enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who
      does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many
      will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
      prophesy in your name and in your name drive out
      demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
      Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.
      Away from me, you evildoers!’
      (Matthew 7:21-23)

ACTION:
God loves you and His desire is for you to love Him too. The scriptures
give us information for measuring our love and commitment to Him. If
we feel our love for Him is incomplete and we do not know Him, then it
is time to make the necessary changes in our lives to obey His commands
and not ours.

Whenever someone enlists to serve in a branch of the armed forces,
they agree to abide by the rules that have been established. It means
they will learn to respect those of a higher rank, and they will commit
to self-discipline in order to comply with the guidelines of the branch
of service which they have enlisted in.

When we enlist in the family (and army) of God by accepting His free
gift of salvation, we should be willing to make the necessary changes in
our life to comply with God’s guidelines for living the life of a Christian.
If we are not willing to change, then we need to ask ourselves,
“Why would I not change? What is holding me back?”

We need to remember, we can disobey by failing to avoid the things
that displease God, but we can also disobey by ignoring the things
that do please Him (attending worship with other believers, tithing,
loving others, being humble, praying, using our spiritual gifts, etc.).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for failing to obey Your commands
and for trying to adjust them to fit my own selfish desires. Your
Word is true and doesn’t lie, so I believe it when it says that my
love for You will be complete when I obey Your commands. It is
a struggle for me at times, but You have given me the Holy Spirit
to help me in my efforts to obey You. Help me to give the Spirit
more control in my life, and to accept Your will over my will.
Create in me a desire to find Your will for me, and the spiritual
gift You gave me when You saved me. Teach me how to use my
spiritual gift to serve You wherever You want me to contribute
to Your earthly ministry. May my life be a reflection of my love
and commitment to You”.

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