Devotion

Devotion written by MZBC

Scriptural Obedience
Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." --- Matthew 9:13

We can control our own actions, but we cannot control the actions of other people. Like us, they can know what the better action is to take in a tough situation, but the outcome floats in the wind until they choose which direction they will honor. There are only two directions - the direction of our flesh and the direction of our spirit. Our hope is that the flesh will follow the call of a positive spirit. It is tough responding to challenges that rise against us in the behavior of our spirit man when we strongly want to react in our flesh man. I have come to the conclusion that our spirit man is made up of many more muscles than our flesh man, because my spirit endures hits and soreness far more than there are instances when my physical body gets a bump or a bruise. But scriptural obedience helps me out with that. There is no one-sidedness to the truths of scripture. It is all truth for all people, and all people at one time or another experience that truth from the flesh angle and the spirit angle. I can react to someone and be as wrong as all get out, and a scripture will have a discipline lesson to correct me. On the other hand, I can be wrongfully reacted upon, and that same scripture will have a healing balm to comfort me. Look at God! His Living Word will never fail us, no matter how many times we may fail each other or our own self! May I suggest that you make it a required part of your daily activities to sit and steep your spiritual muscles in the scriptures so that you can be better fit and equipped to handle life's tough situations that are sure to arise.