Isabelle, my almost 5 year old, gets out of her bed almost every night. It is either just after bedtime
, sometime in the night, or before 7 o’clock in the morning
that she gets up, none of which are allowed
. My three other children
are put to bed, kissed
good night
, and stay there without a sound
until 7 o’clock.
, sometime in the night, or before 7 o’clock in the morning that she gets up, none of which are allowed. My three other children are put to bed, kissed good night, and stay there without a sound until 7 o’clock. What’s the deal
?!
?! She always has an excuse
that she seems to think
justifies
it. She needs a drink, she has to go to the bathroom, she can’t fix her blankets, Abigayle is talking
to her, she needs
another kiss, and on and on. The truth
is she does not want to obey and these reasons
are her rationalization
to allow her to do so. Based on the condition
of the circumstances
, she can therefore, disobey
.
that she seems to think justifies it. She needs a drink, she has to go to the bathroom, she can’t fix her blankets, Abigayle is talking to her, she needs another kiss, and on and on. The truth is she does not want to obey and these reasons are her rationalization to allow her to do so. Based on the condition of the circumstances, she can therefore, disobey.As a parent
, my children
are to obey my guidelines because of their love
for me, submission
to my authority
, and trust
in my intentions
for them. Period. I expect their adherence to the rules
will not be contingent of the circumstances
involved.
, my children are to obey my guidelines because of their love for me, submission to my authority, and trust in my intentions for them. Period. I expect their adherence to the rules will not be contingent of the circumstances involved.Children
are not the only ones that think
our obedience can be conditional
. We all do!
are not the only ones that think our obedience can be conditional. We all do!I’m afraid
to step on toes, but here we go…
to step on toes, but here we go…
in 
to my 
, or 
, or bank teller if I’m being 
to in 
.
my 
if he doesn’t get 
or is 
.
about my 
if it’s a 
.I can curse
if I’m around adults.
if I’m around adults.
that is not mine if it was their 
. I can hate
someone if he is a child molester
.
someone if he is a child molester.
if I do not 
or 
. Ouch
!
!I am not attempting
to be legalistic
and suggest
God
sees
us any differently
or loves
us any less because of our degree of obedience
. I am saying this is how we put our money
where our mouth
is.
to be legalistic and suggest God sees us any differently or loves us any less because of our degree of obedience. I am saying this is how we put our money where our mouth is.Jesus says, “If you love
Me, keep My commandments
.” (Jn. 14:15)
Me, keep My commandments.” (Jn. 14:15) We are to obey
in gratitude
for God's love
for us, trusting
He only asks
of us that which is for our good
, and in submission
to Him as the omniscient
Creator
of the universe
.
in gratitude for God's love for us, trusting He only asks of us that which is for our good, and in submission to Him as the omniscient Creator of the universe. MEDITATE ON IT
Under what circumstances
do you tend to rationalize disobedience
?
do you tend to rationalize disobedience?
? Do you 
these as 
?How does it usually turn out? Do you see consequences
you could have avoided
with obedience?
you could have avoided with obedience?PRAY ABOUT IT
Oh, God, how gracious
and merciful
You are towards us. Thank You
for never expecting
us to be perfect
, only faithful
. Thank You for stepping
in to cover
us with the righteousness
and holiness
of Your Son, our Savior
. Bring to our attention the lies we rationalize with and give
us opportunity
to reject
them. Forgive
us for attempting our own ways. Thank You for turning
even our sin into grace
! Give
us faith
to trust
Your intentions
for us, and show us Your unfailing love
so we are compelled
to obedience.
and merciful You are towards us. Thank You for never expecting us to be perfect, only faithful. Thank You for stepping in to cover us with the righteousness and holiness of Your Son, our Savior. Bring to our attention the lies we rationalize with and give us opportunity to reject them. Forgive us for attempting our own ways. Thank You for turning even our sin into grace! Give us faith to trust Your intentions for us, and show us Your unfailing love so we are compelled to obedience. LIVE IN IT
“Has the LORD
as great delight
in burnt offerings and sacrifices
, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel
15:22)
as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)“He who has My commandments
and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John
14:21a)
and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21a)“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves
to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin
leading to death
, or of obedience leading to righteousness
?” (Romans
6:16)
to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)