Obedience Utilized

 

    Salvation is something only those that know, know.  It is a spiritual rebirth that changes something in you that you can't explain.  It gives you freedom to start fresh.  Nothing physically changes.  Your scars are still there.  You look the same.  However, you are different.  The primal part of you died and the Holy Spirit brings forth life in the places that were void.  You know the parts of you that make you feel empty or that you are missing something.  

    Your salvation is the catalyst to true obedience to God.  You will never really be able to make God happy if you don't truly believe.  Obedience is your choice.  He will never force you, but He also will not spare you the consequences if you reject Him.  Obedience to God is faith.  It starts with salvation, then Baptism, maturing, and then being a disciple.  Many people stop at salvation or baptism.  They have no idea what they are missing out on.

    Utilizing obedience is embracing it to please God.  You get a freedom that the world will never be able to provide.  Everything the world gives you is a counterfeit to what God is trying to give you.  You personally utilize obedience by spending time with God.  This is part of the maturing process.  If you are truly invested, then it never gets boring.  Today there are so many ways to help you study too: bible apps, bible dictionaries, commentaries, bible studies, books on culture and history, and more.

    Start utilizing the resources that you have.  As the Holy Spirit makes you hungry for certain avenues of study, then you can spread out.  The point is to seek the truth, closeness to God, and your identity in Him.  Focus on the passage(s) that you are reading today.  What are they telling you?  

    What are you willing to let die or give up for your relationship with Jesus?  He freed you from sin.  Will you still act like it has the control or will you release yourself from the chains he unlocked?  He is clearing the path for you.  Will you follow?  It is okay that the journey is not perfect.  It reveals things to you.  The point is to learn, get up, and keep following Jesus.  You will face temptation, but you don't have to fall for it.  If you stay on your path, then the Holy Spirit will give you an escape from sin even when there are none.

Romans 6:1-7:6, Colossians 3:1-4, & 1 Peter 2:21-25