S)"29 Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!"
Deuteronomy 5:29 (NASB)
O) I read a beautifully simple description about sin. The phrase said, "Sin is bad because it harms." That phrase is such as simple, clear, and concise truth that it almost seems inadequate. It seems so close to being an over-simplification, or too much of a generalization, that it's almost tempting to refute it. Then, stop and realize that's the same as defending sin. The beauty of that statement is that it leaves no room for doubt. In the above verse, the key is seeing that God uses the word "it" instead of the word "I" and that makes all the difference for clarifying the heart of a Father. Our Father doesn't give us rules simply to avoid trouble with Him. He gives us rules so that we avoid trouble with life. I don't know of any time in the entire Bible when God refers to Himself as an "it" and to me, the "it" He's describing in this verse is no singular issue, but all issues, ever. It's life.
A) Since coming to Christ as an adult, one of the continual processes for me is to accept God as the perfect Father. I cannot compare Him to any father I've known; not my dad, or my pastor, or even myself. Every father has shortcomings and failings, but not my heavenly Father. One way that my point of view has drastically changed, is to see that God doesn't give rules just for the sake of rules. He's trying to deliver me from my own failings, to a life of blessings He has prepared for me. Every time I feel tempted, my first thoughts need to go to the fact that the sin is only harmful and I cannot be fooled into defending it in any way. Then, I need to remember that my Father sacrificed a lot to ensure that I can escape that harm. Not just become harmed and then be healed, but to escape it altogether by giving me the strength to resist that temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).
P) Father, Your love for me is so perfect! Your plans for me are beyond my understanding. I want to live according to Your ways, LORD, because You hold life itself in Your words. Holy Spirit, continue to strengthen me through the discipline of the Father. Help me change my mindset to flee from temptation, and not flirt with it. Let me always trust that Your rules are only to protect and to provide. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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