“God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’ … to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good [obeys]” (Romans 2:5, 8-10).
Most of the troubles of this generation are a result of our own disobedience. When we get caught in the web of our sins, too often we are more concerned about our reputation than how much we have wounded the Savior. It is selfish to grieve more over what people think of us than over the way our disobedience breaks the heart of Jesus.
People all over are hurting. Marriages are crumbling, causing terrible misery and pain to so many involved. Multitudes are living under a cloud of guilt and despair. There are Christians today whose lives are flooded with trouble and sorrow. Never has there been such heartbreak, emptiness, loneliness, and rejection. Only God knows how many Christians cry themselves to sleep, or who can’t sleep due to depression, anxiety, loneliness, and despair.
Shouldn’t we be getting weary of all the trouble and hurt—enough so that we would begin to hunger after the glorious riches promised in Christ? Oh, beloved, fear is not the best motive toward obedience—love is!
In love we surrender, and sweet surrender to the will of God opens the heavens to us. It is the yielding of every sin and act of disobedience that allows us the revelation of who Christ really is. The scripture says, “Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6).
Jesus says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). Surrender your heart wholly to the Lord and become “rooted and grounded” by his love.
Standing For God 