You Know The Answer
Can I go to bed without cleaning my teeth?
Reference: A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18 NIV)
Explore: “Can I have a lolly before dinner?” “Can I watch another episode instead of going to bed?” “Can I go to bed without cleaning my teeth?”
These are all questions asked on a regular basis in our house by our children. The amazing thing is that I don’t have to even open my mouth to give them my answer.
Apparently looking at the questioning child with my eyebrows raised informs them of the answer they already know. “No!”
The fact is, they already know the answer. If they actually thought before they spoke they would know exactly what my response would be.
But in true child-like hope, they think if they ask they may just get their own way.
Application: Us adults are often similar when it comes to the actions of our faith. It’s just that the questions are slightly different.
“Do I really have to tithe this week?” “Do I have to put my hand up to serve at church?” “Do I have to forgive them again?”
We know God’s answer already, but we still insist on asking.
And just like the answer I give to my children, it’s not to make their life harder, it’s actually to make them better.
God’s desire for us to be disciplined in the outworking of our faith is actually more for our benefit than His.
He wants what is best for us and that means a committed relationship with Him and to live out our faith with love and grace. We know this already!
Let’s stop procrastinating with the questions and start living the life God has set out for us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stop procrastinating on the things I know I should be doing. May I live my life in confidence, not in wondering. Amen.
What are you holding back on at the moment?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.