GIF Keeping Commandments

“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.”
1 John 3:22

Keeping Commandments
by Larry Burkett

Few of us willfully violate the Ten Commandments. The spiritual and emotional consequences are devastating.

Most committed Christians exercise a godly motivated self-discipline to avoid overt disobedience. Externally, most Christians appear basically moral. Internally, however, many earnest believers struggle with doubts, temptations, and failure. They have fallen for one of Satan’s most subtle ploys: Don’t let religion interfere with pleasures.

Violating many of God’s commandments involves attitudes more than actions: lustful thoughts, selfishness, anger, pride. These attitudes arise over a period of time and are difficult to avoid. Most of us develop them without realizing how or when they started.

God’s minimum acceptable attitudes are to love God totally and to love others as ourselves. Christ said that loving God foremost is a prerequisite to receiving God’s best (reread today’s Scripture verse).

We are fully responsible and accountable for our actions, regardless of what anyone else does. Often we desire to obey and trust God but are unwilling to stand without compromise in all situations.

As Nehemiah did when he refused to compromise God’s way, even to save his own life, we must precondition all responses to temptations and problems on the basis of what God says. God promises He will prosper and protect us, so He may receive the glory.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).

Daily Scripture Reading:
Acts 18:12 – 19:22
2 Thessalonians