Obedience

Many times in the Bible God is referred to as "father" and us as His children.

*Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:*

Now if we are His adopted children, why do we assume that we, as Christians, have such a drastically different relationship with our Father than the rest of His children, the Jews? Are adopted children any less than biological children in the eyes of a parent? Are they held to seperate standards? Yes maybe the parent may have a "soft spot" for the adopted child but they will always want the best for all children and they will be held to the same standard. This is true of almost any parent. So how much more true and pure is that love from God who knows us intimately and waits for us to choose Him! If we can believe that God loves us, shouldn't we believe He loves us enough to want the best for us? Isn't that what parents always want? The best for their children. Just as parents have set rules in order to protect their children and bring out the best in them. So does our Father; God. If we, as sinful creatures, know to set boundaries in order to protect how much more would God set boundaries? We are to model our relationship with our children after God's relationship with us! We as parents are to love unconditionally and protect by setting rules. God's rules can be found in the Old Testament. He allows us to know what He wants and it is up to us to follow. Following God's commandments does not save us, but rather gives us an opportunity to grow closer to Him. When we listen and allow Him to shape us and guide us, how much more do we get to receive His blessings?

*Romans 8:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.*

For me its simple. I will obey God because I love and trust Him. I am not perfect, and I will fall short. But with His help I can make it!

Striving to be everything that He has made me to be.
Miss T