Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2022, and I am at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Mark Benson, a great friend of mine, is the Regional Director of Relations in the West, and he is our tour guide! We want to explore this fantastic presentation of God’s Word as a possible place to bring students from New Hope Church and College in Eugene, Oregon. Today’s lesson is so rich! Don’t miss a word of it because it locates the birthplace of true faith, a faith that lasts! Read on…
Today's Reading:
1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Scripture
“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)
Observation
“From the heart” … that’s where true obedience finds its origin and birthplace. It springs best from deep within - not out of duty or obligation. We’ve either heard of or have read the ancient books on the importance of religious disciplines. These stories challenge us, but those disciplines are only made valid if they ultimately spring from the correct source. Initially, external regulations, religious rigor, and spiritual penalties may police our behavior; however, it is not sustainable unless it graduates from the fear of consequences to the joy of my heart!
Application
There are two kinds of obedience — one from the law & one from the heart. Obedience from duty, or expectation of receiving a reward, produces a skewed faith - one prone to looking good on the outside but incongruent on the inside. Only obedience from the heart propagates a true, unpretentious faith … solid to the core. It’s the difference between two persons who labor on a farm: one watches the clock, is careful not to displease the boss, and expects his pay every two weeks … versus the other one who loves to be outdoors, enjoys every aspect of the farm life, and treasures the therapy of working with his hands. Obedience from the heart is like this second person who cherishes a life of serving Jesus and the joy of being a follower of Christ.
Prayer
Father, teach me to build my faith through obedience from the heart, not the fear of consequences or for any other self-centered reason. And if following You ever becomes “burdensome” or begrudging in any way, please correct my view and transform my heart!
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