I was doing my daily Bible reading the other day and came across Psalm 119:97, “Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.” And I thought to myself, “Really? Do I?” Some of God’s instructions are wonderful. Love one another. Forgive each other. Serve one another – “…wash each other’s feet” (John 13:14). And of course, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12). These are all great.
However, not all of God’s instructions are so easy. “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:21-22). Wait! Anger is like murder? I shouldn’t call anyone an idiot? And how about this one? “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:21-22)! And then there’s, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).
I am supposed to love my enemies, pray for those who persecute me, and forgive if I expect to be forgiven. Do I really love all of these instructions? The truth is, it’s hard to be a Christian. The standard set for us is high. But Jesus says after washing the disciple’s feet, “I have given you an example to follow” (John 13:15).
God’s instructions may not always be exactly what we would choose but we should ask ourselves. Do we want to do what we want to do or what God wants us to do?
Sometimes I think it’s better not to think for myself. What I mean is, I’m a sinner. A fallen human being who does fallen things in this fallen world. So, when left to my own devices, I will nearly always choose the fallen path. Instead, perhaps I should just seek God’s instructions. Listen to His commands. If God says, “Do it.” I do it. If He says, “Don’t do it.” I don’t do it. No argument from me. No trying to rationalize or justify whatever my choice might be. Just listen to the LORD. I may not always get what I want but what is it that I really want? To do what I want or to please God?
As it turns out, the more we choose to follow God’s instructions, the easier it will get. It becomes habitual. And we will find after a while that what we want and what the LORD wants are one and the same. Praise God! In fact, continuing to read in Psalm 119, we find verse 104, “Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” That’s right. After a while, we will instinctively hate the wrong path because we are so used to following God’s instructions.
There’s a fancy – shmancy word for this – sanctification. It’s the “second stage” of our Christian life. You see, just as we are physically born, go through school, and get a job. Spiritually, we are born again in Christ, grow in holiness through the Holy Spirit, and go to be with God forever. The terms for these three stages are: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is when God pronounces us to be righteous because of our faith in Christ. We are justified, or declared righteous, at the moment of our salvation. Sanctification – stage two – is the process by which Christians are set apart for God from the rest of the world. The process by which Christians are made holy. Yes, as we continue to follow God’s instructions, we are being sanctified. Waiting for stage three – glorification – God’s final removal of sin from the life of everyone who is saved, and we live in heaven with God forever.
I guess I do love God’s instructions because I know where they are leading me.
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