BITTERNESS TOWARD OBEDIENCE

BITTERNESS TOWARD OBEDIENCE

An F16 fighter jet is an amazing aircraft with incredible capabilities. But there is one thing that a jet pilot requires above all else. That the aircraft reacts completely to his control. If it were to have "a mind of its own" regardless of how remarkable that might sound, it would end up doing as much flying as a door stop.
In the same vein, even if we had all the gifting under the sun, God as the ultimate "pilot" of our lives, will only do amazing and remarkable things with our lives if we are fully under his control.
If we insist upon taking our lives into our own hands at every opportunity we will find ourselves as effective as a proverbial door stop, and a less gifted by more humble man or woman will be used in our stead.
Obedience is the golden key to a life of joy and excellence.” ( Pastor Mike Wagner )

The Prophet Samuel said to King Saul after his disobedience to the LORD, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as He does in obeying the voice of the LORD?”

“ Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed, ( Careful consideration, obedient regard )
than the fat of rams.”

"For rebellion( bitterness toward obedience ) is as the sin of divination ( witchcraft ), and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.

“Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."
( 1Samual 15:22-23 )

Think about this for a moment; “rebellion as having bitterness toward obedience.”

It is more than just making a mistake, we all make mistakes, it was an attitude of the heart that King Saul had developed.

Jehovah was the theocratic King of Israel, the civil head of the commonwealth, and therefore to an Israelite, "rebellion and idolatry," were state offenses of high treason against God. Israel's first king had committed high treason because of his disobedience to the LORD.

"But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” ( 1 Samuel 13:14 )

God wanted a man to lead Israel who had a heart of obedience, a man after God's own heart, some one who wasn't bitter toward being obedient. God would find that heart in David.

"After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.” ( Acts 13:22 )

Some would say that all this only applies to the Old Testament times, but even as a Christians, we can develop a heart that becomes bitter toward obedience.

1John 1: 9 is where we need to begin if we find ourselves in this situation. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God will cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness, even from a bitterness toward obedience that has crept into our souls.
We also need to keep in mind that we even as Christians will go through a Judgment. Although we will not face the White Throne Judgment that unbelievers will face, We will all face the Judgment Seat of Christ.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 )

On the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. ( Romans 2:16 )

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. ( Romans 14:12 )

“But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” ( 1Peter 4:5 )



PRAYER
Thank you Heavenly Father that Jesus has become my high priest, Therefore I draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Father cleanse my soul of any bitterness toward obedience, remove all stubbornness and give me a humble heart that will be submissive to you will, in the Name of Jesus amen