“God always hope we choose obedience and life, but Adam and Eve did what we often do. They ignored all the freedoms God gave . . . and focused on the one thing they didn’t have. Sound familiar?”- Bob Merritt
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you shall live.”- Romans 8:13 (NIV)
In Chapter 3 (“The Old Life is a Dead-End Life”) of Done With That, Bob Merritt observes that when sin boils out of you, something dies a little. For example, Pastor Merritt states:
- If we fail to filter what we allow ourselves to watch or view, our ability to be productive or resist temptation dies.
- If we cherish entertainment and fun as our ultimate life goals, our purpose or calling dies.
Therefore, it’s easy to morph from perfect contentment to complete dissatisfaction. Hence, it’s foolish to momentarily ignore the bounty God’s given you and focus solely on the one tree you don’t have. Pastor Merritt adds:
” But then we think, Why don’t I have that tree? I’m bored with what I have and a little unfulfilled. I deserve better. I deserve to be happier. Maybe I’m missing something more. We ignore all the bounty God has poured into our lives, go for the forbidden tree, and invite untold pain, loss, and regret into our lives. Adam and Eve thought what we often think: I have all these amazing trees, but why don’t I have that tree? What does God know? I think I know better.”
Consequently, Adam and Eve’s problem revolved around pride. And, pride digs in its heels at the center of our sin. For we too often believe that we know better than God.
Today’s question: What Bible verses enable you to choose obedience and life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The first word and the last word belong to God”
