View
past Devotional.|
We don't make
deals with the Lord. Paul says clearly it is not wise to make vows to the Lord. We need to and must stand before Him to declare our longing to serve Him, and we need to and must consciously take up the Cross daily. The problem lies when Christians think they should make promises about their behavior to the Lord and it is invariably in areas where there is already a control problem. Even if one were to say "Lord, I swear I will do whatever you say at any time and will never deviate from the vision you have given. . ." that person is in for a hard fall and a load of guilt. Vows were made to God in a time of legalism and Paul's statement is due to the fact that we are in an era of grace. Vows are statements of intention, but the strongest will in the world is still subject to the desires and whims of the flesh, when that person is operating to fulfill a promise instead of responding to the Holy Spirit. Many have been saved because in a time of crisis they have said "Lord, if you will do so and so, I will serve you." It has forced them to confront the bottom line of life. I am not talking about that. I am talking about human promises made to God in an attempt to live out what that human thinks God wants. His deepest desires for us do not include asceticism. He wants to lead us with His eyes and to sup with us. |
|
View
past Devotional. |