The Joy of Obedience

When it comes to spiritual pursuits, many people put in the bare minimum. They will engage in spiritual things only when it’s necessary, generally during a crisis.

When everything is going well, when the sky is blue, the sun is out, and the birds are singing, they don’t really have a thought about God. But when a crisis hits, when the storm clouds gather, suddenly they are calling on the Lord out of necessity.

Some people pray only in a time of crisis or when they think of it. They read the Bible only when they have time. But that is not the way to live.

The Bible says, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1 NLT). God’s commands are not something we should fear or shun. Yet some Christians say, “I’m not under the law; I’m under grace.”

In a sense that’s true. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the curse of the law, which we are unable to keep in our own strength. But let’s also remember that Jesus said, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose” (Matthew 5:17 NLT).

We don’t keep the law to earn God’s approval. But it also doesn’t mean that we disregard it. It doesn’t mean that we can do whatever we want. The principles of the law certainly still apply in our lives.

Instead of being a list of rules that were basically unobtainable for us in our own strength, God’s laws are now written on the fleshly tablets of our hearts, as Scripture says (see 2 Corinthians 3:3). They become our delight. They become our joy. And we obey them because it’s our desire to do so.

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