LISTENING TO DIRECTIONS

                                                

This past Wednesday, I was watching an episode of Alaska State Troopers that I had recorded, and what to write about this week quickly came to mind. On this episode, a fugitive from the law had been pulled over, but was not listening to the commands of the troopers. He was known to be armed, so the situation was already tense. The troopers were eventually able to subdue the subject, with the use of a Taser, and extract him from his vehicle. Things could have ended much worse for everyone involved, but the subject was brought to justice.

The lesson is this—if you don’t listen to directions / instructions, bad things are going to happen. For the subject on the show, it meant being tased. Fortunately, the troopers didn’t have to use their side-arms. Still, from all I've been told by officers that were tased as part of their training, it is a miserable experience.  When a law enforcement officer gives a command with an aggressive voice, I guarantee that they mean business. Their directions / instructions are not optional and are not up for negotiation!

If this wisdom applies to listening to (and obeying) law enforcement officers, how much more does it apply to listening to and obeying the commands and instructions of God Almighty?!?! When God says something, he means it. It’s not open to negotiation. It’s not an option. He expects obedience. Yet, God’s desire is that we would obey out of love for Him:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:2-3 ESV)

Sadly, people presume upon the grace, mercy, and love of God, mistaking it for permissiveness. This is not so;

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV)

 “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 ESV)

So, today, my encouragement is to take God’s Word seriously. He meant what He said. As I said before, if you don’t listen to directions / instructions, bad things are going to happen. Instead, listen to what God has said and obey!

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker