WWJD? Faith that obeys...

I'm sure most of you remember the catchy slogan "WWJD?". There were bracelets, shirts, hats, and the list goes on with that short little phrase on it. And of course we all remember what it stood for...What would Jesus do? Supposedly, when you were found in a situation that could possibly compromise your faith, you were to be reminded of Jesus, by looking down at that bracelet you were wearing, and make your decision more appropriately. Did it work? That I don't know, but I do know that we are among a generation of lukewarm Christians, who compromise everday, who make decisions based off the fear of man rather then the fear of God, and who have a faith that so easily and so often disobeys rather then obeys.

Take a look back at people in the bible who had that faith...
"By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."—Hebrews 11:8.

Notice that it says, BY FAITH Abraham obeyed. Not because he was promised something, not because he was afraid of a punishment, but simply because He had faith in an all powerful God, He obeyed. Charles Spurgeon once said, "Surely, though we have had to mourn our disobedience with many tears and sighs, we now find joy in yielding ourselves as servants of the Lord: our deepest desire is to do the Lord's will in all things." The question then so easily comes up, why do we disobey? Why is it so hard to step out in faith and trust our Lord and Savior. FEAR! That is the bottom line. Whether it is a fear of the unkown, a fear of pain, a fear of man...whatever the case may be, we are scared. Although we know that God is faithful.."Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21). He has never let us down...I mean think about it, can you honestly think of a time that God didn't work all things together for good? That He didn't prove Himself faithful? Where He didn't provide an escape from the enemy? Where He didn't bless you? Probably not, because the truth is, God has our best intentions at heart. And like an earthly father, He knows what's best for us. Therefore when He calls us to do something, it is not because He wants to "rain on our parade", make us miserable, or ruin our lives, but rather that He wants to santify us, and make us more complete in Christ. "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4) SANCTIFICATION! God is at work in our lives on a daily basis, molding us more and more into His image.

We are going to have trials...in fact we are promised that. If you aren't going through the fire then I would question my walk with the Lord. Compromising is probably taking place. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." (James 1:2). Consider it joy? How can you consider it joy? Think about it, each trial we face causes us to cling tighter to the Lord, causes us to trust more in His perfect provision, and causes us to have more faith...and the outcome? We become more like Christ! How amazing! When you go through a trial, you can run...compromise with the world, do what others tell you to do, take the easy way out...or you can go through the fire, face the battle with the armor of the Lord, endure the pain, and come out a more sanctified believer! I'd take the latter.

What would Jesus do? That simple phrase is actually a very important one. The next time you are in a situation where you have to make a tough decision...where you may be asked to compromise ask yourself that...and honestly act in the way Christ would!

Don't fear man...FEAR GOD! We don't stand before a man on judgment day, but rather a Soveriegn God. We don't answer to man, we answer to the Lord. There is nothing man can do to separate us from the love of Christ. Think about your life...seriously. Evaluate where you are going, what decisions you are making, why you are behaving the way that you are. Are you listening to the Lord's leading and direction? Is He telling you to do something, and you don't want to because it will make you uncomfortable, it will be too hard, people will make fun of you, you'll loose friends or family? What's more importnat...the approval of man, or the approval of a mighty GOD? And come'on...what would Jesus do?

"Genuine faith in God creates a prompt obedience. " --Charles Spurgeon
"Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith." --Romans 1:5
" leave this word with you. Remember, "By faith Abraham obeyed." Have faith in God, and then obey, obey, obey, and keep on obeying, until the Lord shall call you home. Obey on earth, and then you will have learned to obey in heaven. Obedience is the rehearsal of eternal bliss. Practice by obedience now the song which you will sing for ever in glory. God grant his grace to us! Amen." --Charles Spurgeon

"BY FAITH _________OBEYED!"