Joyful compliance?

My grandson, age 4, has developed a real streak of independence. "I don't want to" and "Why?" are common responses to just about any directive he is given. Of course, since he is just four, gaining his compliance is not that difficult. But his obedience is grudgingly given - a fact that makes life more difficult for him and for his Dad. As he goes to pick up his toys, it is with tears and shoulders slumped in sadness. A small task becomes an issue, a confrontation develops. I just glad his Dad is willing to follow through, because the training and discipline will prove invaluable in years to come. But, if the little boy just did what was asked, the job would be finished in moments, and everyone would be happy. He hasn't the maturity to realize that, yet!

So, here's my point... Gavin isn't alone in his arguing and complaining against the authorities that exist in his life! Watching him, I realized that I often interact in the same way with my Heavenly Father. When God presents me with His will, I am prone to question, to delay, to resist. The Word speaks to that very issue with this piercing directive: -continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:12-15, NIV)

We naturally resist direction, rebel against God - until we are transformed by the Spirit. Part of the new spiritual nature is a desire to do what God wants us to do. Yet, the internal fight rages on, some days more intensely than others. God says, "Love that person!" We want to comply, but some part of our old nature says, "I don't want to!" God says, "Trust me with that situation and let Me work it out for you." A part of us believes that and wants to hand it over to Him, but another part of us says, "NO! I'll work it out my way! I know what I want." When we are dragging our feet, resisting Him, arguing with Him, or even complaining to anyone who will listen about how hard life is, we lose the joy that God's obedient children experience.

Know this, too. Complaining creates dangerous openings to other temptations. While we are griping about God's will, we are more prone to deception by offers that appeal to our desires. Read through the stories of the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land which is a grand illustration of the Christian journey from sin to salvation. When did Israel fall into sin? When they started to complain about some situation. The longer they complained, the more deceived they became. Eventually, God would declare it was enough, lay His hand of correction on them, and bring them back into compliance with His will. But, the correction was always costly and painful!

The passage above references another blessing for those who quickly comply with God's will - they become pure, sparkling examples of godliness! When we cooperate with the Spirit's work in us, He produces a stellar quality of character that others admire because our lives stand in such contrast to the world. Just as an obedient son is a credit to his parents, so if we, as God's children, are obedient, we become a credit to Him as our Father.

What are you arguing about today?
Is there some part of God's plan for your life that you are resisting?

Don't make Him lay His hand on you. Instead, comply and with joy.

Here's a word from the Word to think on --
"While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:10-11, The Message)