Well-Driven Nails (Part Three)

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13. A. W. Tozer said, “The word of God was not given to us to make us intelligent sinners, but obedient and authentic saints.” As important as it is to remember God - to recall who God is and what He has done for us - and to fear God by practicing a reverential awe of Him and His presence in our lives, it is equally important to hammer home the final nail. Nail Number Three: Obey God. Our lives are made up of choices - difficult forks in the road where we must decide to choose God’s way or to pursue our own. And as Moses said to the children of Israel, the choice is really not between right and wrong but between life and death (see Deuteronomy 30:15-16). The prophet Amos said it very succinctly: “Seek the Lord that you may live” (Amos 5:6). Truly, the only sure path to life is found in obedience to God and His Word. So when you don’t feel like loving your spouse, obey God. When you’re tempted to steal or to compromise your integrity, obey God. When your boss asks you to do something you shouldn’t, obey God. When your lusts and passions are telling you to give in, obey God. When you’re suffering and feel like quitting, obey God. When the easiest thing to do is nothing, obey God. When you feel like being lazy, obey God. Whatever choice you may be facing, obey God . . . and live! Thomas Carlisle wrote, “Conviction, be it ever so excellent, is worthless until it converts itself into conduct.” It is not enough just to know what’s right. Well-driven nails only become that way when we have the courage to sink them deep into our lives by obeying God. Please click on the word “comments” below or send me an email at curtis.songer@gmail.com