Uncomfortable, Disobedient: How to Carry Out God's Word Without Picking and Choosing

God's Word God is an integral part of Christian life. Through God's Word God, we are strengthened and comforted, and we grow in our knowledge of God. His Word is food that keeps our spiritual body healthy. Yet healthy food sometimes does not taste good, just like stern rebuke and the discipline of God.

And, like a little child refusing to eat bitter vegetables, do you realize that we often pick and choose our 'spiritual food'?

Christians Christian Who Are Spiritually Healthy

In Christianity, the relationship between humans and God is likened to a body (1 Korintus 12:12-27). Jesus is the head and we (the Christian) are members of the body (Efesus 1:22-23). A healthy body is a body that functions well. Each part works according to its own role.

In addition, a healthy body part is one that 'obeys' the commands of the brain (the head). If the brain tells the feet to walk, then the feet will walk. The brain communicates with the body through nerves, just as God communicates with us through His Word (the Bible).

So, how do we become a Christian who is spiritually healthy?

Let us look more closely at how to view and respond to God's Word God in Matius 19:16-26 (the story of the Rich Young Man).

Loving God means obeying His Word

Jesus answered: "Why do you ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments of God." – Matius 19:17

In this verse, Jesus answers a rich young man's question about good deeds. The key to having life is obeying the commands of God. Yoh 14:15 says that the proof that we love God is that we obey His commands.

Obedience shows the quality of a character that is oriented toward the future. How good our relationship with God is depends on our obedience. The blessings, miracles, power, and promises of God can be experienced if we obey His Word. In other words, to become healthy members of the body, we need to obey the Word of God.

Stop Picking and Choosing the Word of God

The young man said to Him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow Me." When the young man heard that word, he went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions. – Matius 19:20-22

I believe every Christian tries to obey the Word of God. The question is, does every Christian obey every part of the Word?

The tendency is that we obey more readily what we like. We enjoy picking and choosing the Word of God. Choosing verses that we think are easy and comfortable to practice. Ignoring those that do not suit us. Without realizing it, we become like that rich young man, who went away ignoring Jesus' command because it was hard for him to let go of his wealth.

Talking about treasure is not always about material things. Comfort and selfishness can become our 'precious treasure.' "That's just not me," often becomes our reason for ignoring the Word of God. It is like the head telling the hand to move, but the hand refuses, as happens in a stroke.

So, are we now among the Christian who are healthy? Or could it be that we are experiencing symptoms of a spiritual stroke ?

Close your eyes and step forward

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matius 19:26

Even though we try to obey every word, we remain human beings full of weaknesses. We are not perfect. It is impossible to carry out all the commands of God. However, be careful, this statement often becomes a self-defense for Christian s not to carry out some of the Word of God.

For example, we learn to ride a bicycle. If before we even begin we already think we will fall, or consider it impossible to balance on two wheels, or imagine how exhausting it is to ride a bicycle, we will surely never become skilled at riding one.

Just like carrying out the Word of God, our thoughts often become a hindrance. We stay busy thinking and guessing what will happen. We measure ourselves and weigh the gains and losses. As a result, we find it hard to grow. Year after year, we keep facing the same struggles.

What we must do is step forward with 'blind obedience.' Carrying out the Word without looking at who we are, our background, or what people think about us. Our focus is only on God, obeying His commands because we love God. Surely, God will be with us. Helping us in difficult times, giving wisdom when we are stuck, and strengthening us when we are weak.

So, keep obeying the Word of God and let God make all things possible. Amen!