‎Jim Vining‎ to Understanding the Times SS Class

1 hr · 

1 Samuel 12:15 "However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

The ability to choose is simply God’s gift to create willing obedient worshipers motivated by desire rather than fearful obligation. To choose to follow God, the world or selfish ambition is simply the result of our glorious design finding its motive in our spiritual or carnal nature. God wants us to direct, mold and discipline our will that we may partake of His wondrous eternal plan and purpose. It is the defiant sinful will of man that lies at the core of his refusal to experience the fullness of reconciliation found only through Jesus Christ. Rebellion may only be a careless apathy that desires salvation without sanctification – blessing without Lordship – happiness without holiness. Many acknowledge the existence and sacrifice of Christ without ever experiencing the His intimate presence. Repentance must precede all desire to experience the fullness and obey His commands. It is through humble repentance we are provided, by grace and mercy, His righteousness and given the opportunity, through obedience and devotion, to experience the fullness of blessing promised in God’s Word. A lack of humble obedience is mankind’s fundamental barrier experienced in the promise and purpose of God – our Lord uses every means to break our willful defiance to enhance our spiritual hunger and desire. Because we are capable and prone toward independence does not give us the right to pursue it – it is the submitting of our will that God desires – that we might with humility, brokenness and contrition live lives in gratitude for what has been given and a driving hunger for what is promised. 

Read through the Bible in one year – April 22/ Luke 17:1-19; 2 Samuel 14,15