We all have used the term “willful disobedience” but have we heard of the idea of “sinful and empty obedience”?
” …everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Romans 14:23b
“…Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”
Hebrews 12:2
“Without the right motivation of love (for God and for others) what we do, no matter how miraculous and sacrificial, is nothing – empty.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 personal paraphrase
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
The focus of living Christian lives is believing the grace of God in Jesus Christ. As we focus on His immense grace and love for us, as we see that He was willing to go to all lengths even to die on the cross for us, then we trust Him more and we grow in our faith in Him. As we see His sacrifice for us because He loves us even though we were His enemies, we grow to love Him more and more. We are transformed on the inside and this is expressed in our desire and willingness to obey Him. The result is obedience powered by faith and motivated by love. Focusing on “obedience alone out of obligation” is not motivated by love, and is, therefore, EMPTY. And if our obedience is powered by our own will-power and commitment, rather than by faith in Christ, then it is SINFUL.
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.“
Galatians 5:6
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Related posts:
Living up to personal convictions
Grace, obedience and the Kingdom
The Great Passion (abridged version)
The Great Passion (full version)
Related Podcasts:
ALL OUT Series Week 1: No Striving
ALL OUT Series Week 1: (Delivered in Victory Los Banos) No Striving
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Was this your topic when you preached in Los Banos? It inspired me to write an entry:
http://momsterteacher.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/on-teaching-our-kids-values-should-we-put-impetus-on-rewards-and-repercussions/
Yes, it’s a major piece of the puzzle. But the message is the expanded version
BTW, you can visit the tab “Download Messages” to download the message I delivered in Victory Los Banos. It is actually the first part of the series entitled ALL OUT that we have in Calamba. You may also want to download Weeks 2 and 3. A lot of Christians have told me that this series is one of the most liberating set of messages they have heard. It will change your perspective on a lot of things. Hope this helps.