A Reasonable Requirement

People can have romantic notions about being more "serious" concerning their relationship with God.  This can include fanciful ideas of prolonged fasts, voluntarily giving up all hobbies for scripture memorisation, or doing something drastic like moving to Siberia.  I have heard people express they would have to pray or read the Bible more if they had a different role in the church, but I don't believe have a role with more responsibility does anything to fundamentally change a person.  God does not require outrageous things of His people, just simple obedience in following His example like it says in Micah 6:8:  "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

At Calvary Chapel Sydney we spoke about the Rechabites, how they were obedient to their father Jonadab hundreds of years later to not drink wine.  God used the Rechabites as an obejct lesson for His people in Judah.  He pointed out Jonadab's commands were carried out by his sons, yet God's people were not inclinded to listen to or obey God's commands!  In the Enduring Word Commentary, David Guzik made a good observation that rings true:  "In a sense, God only asks from us what we are willing to give to other people or other things."  Since it is right for children to obey their parents, isn't it right for us to obey God who is our Father?  God does not require us to do extraordinary things to demonstrate our love for Him, but He commends faithful obedience in little, everyday things.

All God requires of His people is not unreasonable, for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  Everything God asks us to do He enables us to do by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is reasonable for those who believe what they read in news articles or stories their spouse or child share to believe God's word is true.  If we are pleased to spend hours reading a book, playing a game or pursuing a hobby, shouldn't we be pleased to spend time with God who has given us all the time we have?  As children we obeyed our parents to keep out of trouble, and as employees obeyed our bosses:  isn't it reasonable we obey God who rewards the obedient?  If the Rechabites obeyed their great-great-great-grandfather who was dead and buried, shouldn't we heed the living God who has redeemed us from destruction and blessed us with all spiritual blessings?  If we will deny ourselves carbs or sugar to benefit our physical health, shouldn't we expend at least that much effort to avoid sin and deny ourselves to follow Jesus--so our relationship with God can be healthier and flourish?

In the sermon, I recalled a time when I went metal detecting with a friend at 2am at low tide.  Since I was willing to rise out of bed on a chilly morning for a chance at a good find, shouldn't I also be willling to rise early to seek God in prayer who sought and found me, my Saviour who graciously provides blessings all the gold in the world cannot buy?  Rising at that early hour was a one-off, and there are things we have all done once or regularly in our pursuit of enjoyment, entertainment, satisfaction and information.  Wouldn't it be wise to examine our lives to ensure we are taking intentional steps to transfer our affections and dependance to God rather than things of this world that is passing away?  God has given us all things richly to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17-18), and thus we ought to trust Him and give generously.  God is the greatest gift who keeps on giving, and we ought to keep enjoying Him most of all.