“I’m not Jesus…nobody’s perfect… I’m only human”
This is the quickest excuse used in the Body of Christ. It allows the spirit of laziness, stubbornness, self idolization and rebelliousness to work through believers as a reason for them not to live a life of obedience. We know the Lord used His own perfect seed to produce the Son of Man. We know the blood line of any human being comes through the seed. Therefore making Jesus’ blood true and pure; His blood was perfect. Jesus perfect blood is what saved us from eternal damnation; with His blood all sins are washed away for the believer. Another reason why God wanted Jesus to come in the form of man was to teach us how to live a Christian life. Jesus was not only sent to earth to save our souls as many people think. He was sent as the perfect example, the forerunner to show us how to live according to God’s perfect will. Christ exemplified how to live a life of true obedience, Godly patience, unconditional forgiveness, unconditional love, perfect peace, joy, humbleness and honor to God. Jesus life is the embodiment of the Christian walk. It also shows us what happens when you live in this manner; the Lord’s perfect will is manifested and demonstrated in your life.
Although Jesus’ blood was perfect He was still human, making Him susceptible to human emotions and feelings. Hebrews 5:8-9 states, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” The Lord wanted Jesus to experience all the things we experience in life in order teach us the correct way to endure and overcome in all situations. Jesus learned obedience and was perfected through His suffering. This is why He came in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7-8 states, “But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.” Jesus didn’t come to earth and use His status to gain fame and fortune. He didn’t descend on a cloud or an escalator of gold. Jesus didn’t boast or brag pridefully with an entourage surrounding Him boosting His ego. Jesus came as a just and humble man learning through His trials and tribulations, becoming completely obedient. Jesus came to serve His Father and as a servant to mankind. He was far richer than any man on earth; what He possessed was far greater than any material object…any silver or gold. Jesus possessed the heart of God; to love others far greater than Himself. To fulfill His God given purpose through His complete obedience, even to the point of death. Jesus fulfilled the greatest and hardest purpose the Lord has ever given to a man. This should make our willingness to submit easer and our determination to fulfill God’s purpose the number one priority in our lives.
Jesus endured many of the situations we go through in our daily lives. Jesus was tempted by Satan just as we are everyday. Jesus displayed His anger at the temple, Mark 11:15 states, “…Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves.” Jesus humbled Himself before men; He allowed John the Baptist to baptize Him; proving that He needed help (and submitted) from someone else just as we do. Jesus got upset at His mother when she was worried that there was no wine left at a wedding they attended. John 2:3-4, “And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Verse 4, “Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus questioned his mother and He still honored her request. Jesus cried out to the Lord on the cross and doubted Him saying in Mark 15:34, “…My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These are just a few historical Biblical facts which prove that Jesus, although His blood was perfect, He was still human. He was built and wired just like us. The only differences is that in each of Jesus’ trials and tribulations after He displayed His human side, He showed us how to handle situations in a Christ-like fashion, demonstrating love, forgiveness and obedience. Jesus stayed focused and fulfilled the will of God. He may have displayed anger and disappointment but He never disobeyed the Lord’s commands. Can a life of complete obedience be achieved? Yes it can!
“All I can do is try”
When used in this context, this is a statement of failure not a statement of fact. Webster’s Dictionary describes the word try as: “to make an effort to do or accomplish; to make an attempt at something.” When you make a “try” at obeying God, you have already allowed failure, defeat and the spirit of fear to enter. This permits you to rationalize disobedience and continue to live in your lifestyle of selfishness; your own will. When you “try” there is never any intention to succeed; an attempt was made only to appease the one person you can’t fool…God. He knows your heart, your intentions and ulterior motives. A statement of fact includes words such as will, can, am, must and do. When we speak things into existence we are speaking into our own lives. Your life of obedience begins with your affirmations, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” “I will obey the Lord at all times” see the difference? Even Jesus made statements of facts. Luke 2:49 Jesus states, “…Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus states that He must be about (obey) His Father’s business (the Lord’s will). Another reason why these types of factual statements are vital is because they feed your spirit the nourishment needed to change your thought process. Transforming your mind enables your success in obeying God’s word. These affirmations are the seeds, the nourishment that causes the root of obedience to begin forming in your spirit. This generates the start and growth of many things; your relationship with God, increased faith, increased trust, growth in your spirit, and obedience to fulfill the will of God.
Who are the Excuses Hurting?
The excuses used only leads to a life of rebellion and disobedience against God. In which you will be judged by the Lord. Is this where you want to be? Galatians 6: 7-8 states, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” It doesn’t matter how many scriptures you have memorized. It doesn’t matter that you show up to church every Sunday. What matters to the Lord is your heart; is it a heart rooted in selfishness or love? Is it a heart walking in the flesh or in the spirit? Many talk the talk and never walk the walk. Jesus states in Mark 7:6-7, “…Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Many Christians can speak the word of God but not many will execute His word. Religion and rituals have been substituted for faith and belief in Christ. Countless hearts are consumed with selfish motivations and not obedience to God. The spirit of deception and manipulation has settled in the hearts of many; fooling them into what they would have them believe is acceptable to the Lord. Christians have become naive in thinking for some reason they’re exempt from any type of obedience, long suffering and sacrifice. It was ok for Jesus the Son of God to endure these things, but not you? What if Jesus used the same excuses? Where would you be? It’s time to wake up from the wiles of the enemy and start living a Christ-like life of complete obedience. The life God intended for you to live with NO MORE EXCUSES!
All biblical text acquired in the NKJV
©2011 Obedience Ministries
1 comment:
Perfect timing for those in need of a fresh new word. From the Lord Jesus Christ.
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