Obeying God Versus Obeying Man
At age 5 or 6 on Sunday morning, for reasons that are currently unknown, the Baptist church, approximately 5 blocks away, was calling in such a way that it was impossible not to attend the early service. To this day it’s still like a splinter in the mind that sparks thought.
“What does God want me to know about this situation?”
“What does God want me to do about this situation?”
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
Last night, while listening to a lecture on identity, the situation described above stormed through the mind like a run-away freight train with images as vivid as the day they happened. We are to obey God at all times and it appears that God has been attempting to teach something for the past 50+ years. Maybe it’s time to ask God to search and draw out the lesson from the seed He planted so many years ago.
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:29-32 NKJV
Forgiveness and repentance as explained in AA makes it a simple process for anyone to follow, to clear the path for God to enter their life and for the Holy Spirit to walk with them.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
As has been stated on numerous occasions if people would be willing to go through the Steps of AA, all 12 steps, our world would change in such a way most people would not recognize it today. Images from God would be discussed as easily as we discuss a football game. Stories of healing and transformed lives would make “winning” look like losing.
Forgiveness and repentance blocks the door to our heart, mind and soul so that Jesus Christ is unable to reach us. The way to clear the path is not a simple “I’m sorry” it is the full blown this is what happened and how can this be repaired situation. “I’m sorry” is closer to whining and God does not respond to whining. “I’m weak and need Your help, teach me Father how does this situation get reconciled?” God will hear and respond to that type of plea all day long.
