1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
I suppose you might regard this as tongue in cheek but I do regard our attitude to be of extreme importance in our relationship with God. I do not believe that we can pick and choose between what's important and what is not. We must be guided by the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
Having said that, let me share a life story about how we respond to those things commanded of us.
Quite often, when I leave home for work in the morning I will light heartedly say to my wife, "Bye babe [or some other affectionate name]. See you later. Be good."
Sometimes in fun she responds, "What else can I be?"
"No options," I say, "Just do as you're told."
While all this is in fun and I have no reason to think my wife would do otherwise, it led me to think the other day how affected our relationship with God is by ungodly counsel.
When God commands we reason it away often not realising that we have done so.
Consider the temptation of Eve and how the serpent reasoned away the command that God gave to Adam. Look at it and take note. See how Balaam sought to get around the command of God not to curse but to bless. He sought to tempt Israel to sin so that they might bring a curse upon themselves. God held Balaam guilty of sin and all who follow this path will not inherit everlasting life.
I will honestly admit that a large portion of my relationship with God is doing as I'm told. Do I always get it right? Most likely not. Am I trying to curry favour? Undoubtedly he blesses me in many ways but it is not the purpose of my obedience without question. I do it because he loves me and I love him and his will is not "grievous unto me." [from the song I Delight to do Thy Will based Psalm 40:8.] My heart is set on doing what God wants.
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
That is the sum of it. To let God be God and to be in charge. I can just do as I am told. I don't need bad advice that suggests I should disobey God. I don't need to exercise freedom of choice. I am happy to obey him and he is happy for me to do so.
Let all who are called by Christ have this mind.
I suppose you might regard this as tongue in cheek but I do regard our attitude to be of extreme importance in our relationship with God. I do not believe that we can pick and choose between what's important and what is not. We must be guided by the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
Having said that, let me share a life story about how we respond to those things commanded of us.
Quite often, when I leave home for work in the morning I will light heartedly say to my wife, "Bye babe [or some other affectionate name]. See you later. Be good."
Sometimes in fun she responds, "What else can I be?"
"No options," I say, "Just do as you're told."
While all this is in fun and I have no reason to think my wife would do otherwise, it led me to think the other day how affected our relationship with God is by ungodly counsel.
When God commands we reason it away often not realising that we have done so.
Consider the temptation of Eve and how the serpent reasoned away the command that God gave to Adam. Look at it and take note. See how Balaam sought to get around the command of God not to curse but to bless. He sought to tempt Israel to sin so that they might bring a curse upon themselves. God held Balaam guilty of sin and all who follow this path will not inherit everlasting life.
I will honestly admit that a large portion of my relationship with God is doing as I'm told. Do I always get it right? Most likely not. Am I trying to curry favour? Undoubtedly he blesses me in many ways but it is not the purpose of my obedience without question. I do it because he loves me and I love him and his will is not "grievous unto me." [from the song I Delight to do Thy Will based Psalm 40:8.] My heart is set on doing what God wants.
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
That is the sum of it. To let God be God and to be in charge. I can just do as I am told. I don't need bad advice that suggests I should disobey God. I don't need to exercise freedom of choice. I am happy to obey him and he is happy for me to do so.
Let all who are called by Christ have this mind.