The life of a Christian is "a life of obedience" (1 Pt 1:2). As followers of Christ, we obey Him in all things, even to death on the cross (see Phil 2:8). We obey God's commandments carefully. "Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations" (Dt 4:6). We obey God's law in detail. Jesus said: "Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true" (Mt 5:18). We obey the Lord exactly, "not turning aside to the right or to the left" (Dt 5:32). We obey the Lord joyfully. To do God's will is our delight (Ps 40:9). We obey the Lord thankfully. It is a privilege to obey the Lord. Our obedience is careful, detailed, exact, joyful, and thankful. We obey because we love the Lord (see Jn 15:10).
We do not obey the Lord scrupulously. We know the Lord loves us. Christianity is not having a perfect record, but receiving God's forgiveness and mercy. We do not obey the Lord begrudgingly. We don't pout when we don't get our way. Instead, we love the Lord.
This Lent, thank God that there is more to life than doing our own thing. Thank Him for the opportunity to obey and thereby love Him.
| PRAYER: | Father, forgive me for disobeying You. Give me the grace to love You through obedience to the Church and the Bible. |
| PROMISE: | "What great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon Him?" –Dt 4:7 |
| PRAISE: | Dr. Norm asked Jesus to heal his patient of her migraine headache. The pain left her at once. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College