Maxafication-ize Your Life

 

The Bible, the Word of God has apparent truths and those that must be searched out to understand.

 

One of those truths is the balance of understanding grace and godly behavior. While all salvation comes by God’s mercy, our gratefulness is shown by the willingness and desire to live a pleasing life before the Lord. Often this ends up becoming an effort to be perfect, but the dilemma is we do not want to seem as if we are trying to be in a mode of earning salvation by trying to live perfectly.

 

The bible states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. This is a famously quoted scripture. Join me on peeling the onion back on this truth so that we come away with a greater understanding.

 

One way to look at the truth of scriptures in the New Testament is to see the actions of God while interacting with man in the Old Testament. In this case let us speak of Abraham, the most famous ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

When answering the call of God he acted in faith, obediently leaving the country of his relatives to journey where God led him. At that time he was called Abram. That took faith to leave relatives, a comfortable life, and your support. That was great faith; much like those who crossed over seas and countries in search of a better life.

 

Yet in 12th chapter of Genesis, when fearful that he might be in mortal danger because Pharaoh of Egypt desiring his wife Sarai, he chose to plan a lie to avoid a confrontation by saying she was his sister. Where was the faith of Abram now? Yet God did not require perfection of Abram. In fact in spite of the lie God turned the encounter around test bless Abraham with an increase of wealth. Now I know some will say Abram was being developed and in the process of growing. So we should not be so critical of his actions.

 

Fast forward to the famous act of faith by Abraham, formerly Abram; in obedience to God Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, his only son of promise. This is Sarah’s only son. When Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac God prevented death of Isaac by providing another sacrifice. Wow! What great faith. In fact God said He knew now that Abraham trusted Him. God was jazzed and excited by Abraham’s faith. As a side note I was impressed with Abraham because of Sarah, formerly Sarai, because she certainly did not know of this test of Abraham’s faith until the all was safe. Imagine trying to explain all this to the same woman that waited 25 years for the fulfillment of having a child. That was certainly taking your life in your hands. Again this was great faith. Some would say this was Abraham at the height of his development. This still was not perfection.

 

Soon after, in 20th chapter of Genesis, Abraham found himself in a familiar situation as with Pharaoh. This time the ruler was called Abimelech, king of Gerar. Again Abraham misled the ruler for fear of his own life due to Sarah being found desirous and beautiful. Why was Abraham not trusting of God after so many times God had delivered him. Certainly he was not showing perfection. Here we have a clue about pleasing God. God delights when we believe Him and yet recognizes that we are not and will not be perfect. He was never looking for Abraham’s perfect behavior. God was looking for Abraham’s faith at the time God communicated His expectation of Abraham’s obedience.

 

Are you trying to be perfect? Is that driving you? I can tell you that is not pleasing God. In fact it is torment because it is a product of fear. The understanding is to seek the expectation of God. When you know God’s expectation you can obey Him with a pure heart. That is what tickles, pleasures, delights, and cause fireworks to go off in heaven. It is your faith, not your perfect behavior. As with Pharaoh and Abimelech God will cause grace and mercy to cover our weaknesses when we are on the path of obedience in displaying our trust in what His word requires of us. Remember then do not make up your own mission. Find your mission from God and walk in faith, tickling the Lord God.