Immediately

If tradition holds true, many of us are trying to start new habits in this New Year.

There are many reasons for self-development, some positive and some not so positive. Some people seek personal improvement out of negative motivations of pride, greed, or lust. Others have a loftier goal of becoming a better person, more loving, or more giving.

As Christians, our goal, that to which we have been called, is seek changes in our life that would make us more like Christ. There are two very importance aspects to become Christlike: it is impossible without the working of the Holy Spirit in your life (2 Corinthians 3:18), and it is impossible without a spirit of obedience within you (1 Peter 2:21-24).

Reading Matthew 4 this morning, I was struck by the word immediately. Matthew used the word twice in the passage of Jesus calling his first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). Twice Jesus called two sets of brothers to follow him, and twice it says that they immediately followed him.

I had to pause and ask myself, "Am I immediately following my Savior?" At True Life, we talk about being a Worshiper of Jesus, a Disciple of Jesus, a Servant of Jesus, and a Missionary of Jesus. But, to be honest, a Christ follower cannot be a true worshiper of Jesus without being his disciple, his servant, or his missionary.

As we read the Bible, we are confronted constantly with opportunities to immediately follow our Savior. The Bible contains attitudes and behaviors that we must stop as well as attitudes and behaviors that we must develop. The question is when. When will I stop? When will I start? How about now.

Your immediate obedience reveals two things. First, it reveals your spirit of obedience that the Apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. However, it also displays your faith and hope in Jesus. By acting in immediate obedience to the commands of scripture and the promptings of the Spirit, you are showing that you really do believe that God is both able and willing to empower you to obey so that you will be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29).

With Joy by Grace,