The privileged path brings us…
“You have made known to me the path of life…” Psalm 16:11a
The question we really need to ask is why would God make known to us the path of life? Is it because He is bossy? Or maybe He just wants to spoil our fun with a bunch of rules? Could it be that as our creator, God knows what will and will not work, and that He only wants what is best for us? Maybe this is the reason God reveals His ways to anyone who will listen? If we understand the reason why we’ll realize the great privilege it is to trust and obey His Word.
If we believe God is our creator then He is our master and therefore, calls the shots. If we are here because of Him then it makes sense we owe Him our life. But this makes some people uneasy. No-one really wants to go to Hell, but most people don’t want anyone to tell them how to live. Here is where many find themselves - knowing they need a Savior, but not really wanting Him to be their lord. (Like asking Jesus to save us and then to leave us alone until it’s time to go to heaven). So we have this constant struggle between wanting God and His blessings and yet also having a strong desire to do our own thing - huh?
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God asks us to follow Him not because He’s an ego-maniac, insecure or narcissistic. He simply loves everyone of us and has a great plan for anyone who will trust Him.
…To the preferred place.
“…You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11b
We are filled with great joy when we follow God’s ways. We are blessed on earth and know we have eternity when we die. But doing what God says is not what brings us eternal pleasures (Heaven). faith in Jesus does. Our good works (obeying) never save us, they flow out of our close bond and connection to Jesus. We love Him so much we want to emulate Him in all our ways. The result is a whole new level of joy. Because God’s ways work the best, they bring the best for all and out of all. Following God will always be a win, win, win proposition - me, he & we. But if I choose to do my own thing it’s about me, myself & I.
“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
From sermon notes April 24, 2022
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