Thought for the Day

If we love our earthly fathers, we respect and obey them. As adults, we are grateful that they disciplined us out of love and protection. These things are true not only of our relationships with our natural fathers, but also of our heavenly Father. To enter the Kingdom of God, we must have a child-like heart of trust, knowing that He loves us far more than any earthly father could and that His instructions are for our good. We are blessed when we remain teachable, with child-like faith and yield to our Father's correction. "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein" (Luke 18:16-17).

Jesus is our supreme example of obedience, desiring to please His Father at all times. He never did anything except what His Father desired Him to do. He was obedient to the point of death, yielding Himself to the cross. The sacrifice of the perfectly obedient Son of God, made it possible to save many disobedient sons.

Obedience is the evidence that we are true disciples of Christ. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). For most Christians, learning submission to Our Father's will is the hardest lesson to learn, but if we rebel at His leading, we will suffer for our disobedience. God never wants us to be hurt or suffer at Satan's hand, but if we disobey God, we may reap the consequences of our own sin. The Bible gives numerous warnings that obedience brings blessing and disobedience leads to destruction: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it" (Isaiah 1:18-20).

Cleansing and forgiveness are available to us when we come to Christ. Our sins, which have left a deep stain upon our souls, will be forgiven and our souls cleansed. As new creatures in Christ, we are made as white as snow. Many suffer under the burden of guilt for their sins. This is unnecessary, because "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness..." (1 John 1:9-10 AMP).