Is there anything you meant to do yesterday, but didn’t? Why not? If you felt it was really important, you probably would have done it, right? Each day, I start out with a few main things in my mind that I need to do, whether that is a meeting, or a report I need to finish, or home project I need to do, or bills I need to pay, etc. If there are 5-10 or more separate things I need to get done, I usually need to, like Santa, make a list and check it twice or more often through the day to make sure I didn’t miss anything, otherwise I’m the naughty one. So, in this respect, knowing what I need to do each day and then following through to completion is a natural result of someone with a good work ethic. But, what if things don’t get done, I don’t show up to meetings, or get a task done I promised I would do, what happens then?
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
If I don’t follow through on what I say I’m going to do, or deliver a different product than what I promised, or mislead someone when my words and actions don’t match, what are they to think of me? If its related to my work, I’ll eventually get fired. If I’m sick for a day or two, or an emergency derails me for a bit, that is one thing, but that can’t be my excuse every time, can it? If you have ever dealt with someone who lied to you, even once, do you put much if any trust in what they say the next time? I believe in giving people second and third chances, but the level of trust I have with someone doing what they say will influence the amount of rope I give them to work with. Excuses for poor behavior are only tolerated so long, whether we blame others or ourselves for the poor results. No matter what inappropriate behavior we are doing, we can go to extreme measures to rationalize and justify it to ourselves, and possibly others, and maybe even to God. Getting help to change these things we know are wrong may take more knowledge or support than we can come up with on our own.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24
Brothers, if we know what we are doing is wrong, let us go to extreme measures to correct that behavior, not only for our own benefit, but for those around us, and for the way we represent our Father in Heaven. When we don’t do what we know we should, or continue in sin that we know is wrong or questionable, we dishonor Him and ourselves. Often when someone becomes born again, we have a desire to change and become more like our new Father. Getting in the Word and having brothers and sisters and a pastor around us who give sound advice is a key part of this, but often the Spirit will lead you to right choices when you listen to His counsel as well. When we know we have sinned and are in the wrong, we need to repent, and if it is a continued struggle, seek support from those you trust that also want to see you grow. May you desire to become more and more like Christ each day, as you walk with Him. May our selfish pride give way to the Spirit that brings us new life.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Yours in Christ,
Clark
