Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31; James 4
S) "17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17 (NASB)
O) This is an easy verse to take out of context, but I couldn't very well quote the entire chapter for the sake of this journal entry. This is the summation of the entire chapter before it, though, and it speaks to a continual edification. God is constantly calling us to live sinless, but He's also asking us for self-sacrifice, and sanctity, and maturity. This is often times marking out our spiritual growth. James is saying in this summary, that as God is calling you toward this growth and spiritual maturity, a failure to comply is then a sin. So, God might be prompting me to stop listening to secular music as a means of disciplining me and helping me grow. If I ignore that, it's then sin to me. That means that for another person, it's not necessarily sin for them to listen to secular music.
A) This very blog is a response to God calling me to do something specific. Whether I use terms like, "God impressed on me..." or, "I felt in my heart that God wanted me to..." or simply, "God told me..." - it all amounts to the same thing. I know God wants to mold me into the man He's destined me to be. I need to treat that call just like I treat any of God's commands found in the Bible. Obviously, I can't get carried away with myself. I need to carefully consider everything I think God is telling me, and make sure it lines up with what the Bible says. God will never contradict the written Word, since He cannot lie. I believe the Bible is 100% truth, so I need to be sure I'm balancing whatever I'm feeling/understanding/hearing about His commands. Also, I need to take some counsel from other God-fearing men I know, allowing their wisdom to sharpen me. Once I'm through all of that, if God tells me to do something, I need to do it, or it's just like any other sin. So, I need Him to Chisel Me.
P) Father, please continue to shape me. Mold me to be look like You. I want to be the man you've called me to be. I don't want to miss a single thing. I want to be a blessing to my wife, kids, family and friends. I know that it goes beyond just studying Your Word. Holy Spirit, please continue to speak to me, and direct my steps, so that I can walk as you're calling me to walk. In Jesus' name, amen.
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