Eager To Be Free

“Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.”  Proverbs 19:16

How many of us have viewed God’s commands as His way of making sure we don’t have too much fun as we travel through life?  Where did we ever get the idea that God is some kind of cosmic kill-joy?

These are lies straight out of the pit of hell, orchestrated by the enemy of our souls,  whose goal, Jesus said, is to “rob, kill, and destroy” those whom God loves.

The Lord knows what keeps us from experiencing life’s best.  His commandments reflect His desire that we live life to the fullest, enjoying all His precious gifts.

Christ is like the “mine-sweep” who, having safely navigated the mine-field of life,  points out the dangers ahead.  Yet, we are leery.  We don’t trust His heart.

Satan entices us with the identical lie he used in the Garden.  Once he created suspicion as to God’s intentions, he was able to lure Adam and Eve into his trap.  We’ve all fallen prey to that same scheme!

PONDER:  How do I see God?  Do I believe His desires and plans are for my best, or do I suspect Him of withholding something from me?

PRAYER:  Forgive me, Lord, for believing the enemy’s lies.  I want to know the Truth, which will free me to experience the abundant life You promised.  Your Word is Truth.  Intensify my “hunger” for it.  Strengthen my desire to know and trust You more!

Tags: commandments, cosmic, destroy, enemy, identical, intentions, lure, reflect, suspicion
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“…love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind…love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

Imagine a world where everyone loved God and others like Jesus instructs.  No one would ever hurt anyone on purpose.  We could leave our doors unlocked, because: who would consider stealing from someone they truly love?

Policemen would be scarce, only needed in case of accidents.  Folks would never assume another person meant to do them harm, so lawyers would have very little, if anything, to do.

We’d never need to conceal our hidden motives because there wouldn’t be any!  We could each be real and authentic without fear.  What a world that would be!

Tragically, because of the sinful, fallen nature of mankind, that scenario will only be fully realized in Heaven.

Yet Jesus clearly indicates its possibility in the lives of His followers here and now — not because, within ourselves, we are capable of such purity of motive, but because, as we yield to His control, He is able to do in and through us what we cannot possibly do ourselves!  (Romans 8:3,4)

PONDER: Do I love God most and best?  Really?  Do I love others as fervently as I love myself?

PRAYER: Lord, loving like that is totally impossible for me unless You do it for me, and in me, and through me.  That’s what I want!

Tags: commandments, conceal, harm, motives, policemen, scarce, scenario, stealing
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