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 A
slave convinced himself he would obey his master — if the
master were “reasonable” in his demands, and appreciative of
his service. Peter said to obey even the “froward” master,
“for conscience toward God” “for this is acceptable with
God” (1 Pet. 2:18-).
A
wife said her husband was not a Christian, so why should she be
subject to him? Peter said she should adorn herself “in the
sight of God,” and she might win her husband by her chaste
manner of life (1 Pet. 3:1-6).
A
child thought his parents didn’t understand him, so he couldn’t
please them, no matter how he tried. But Paul said, “obey your
parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord”
(Col. 3:20).
A
woman thought she couldn’t worship God in a city filled with
people she had been taught to shun; but Jesus said that true
worship was done in spirit and truth, regardless of the location
(Jn. 4:23-24).
We
blame our failures on external circumstances — all would be
well if only the surroundings were changed — when the
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problem is within. If we were
changed, we would see our circumstances differently. We would
look beyond the immediate and inconsequential surroundings to
the One whose judgment is the final word. What does God
want of me? What is His will for me? How can I best serve
Him?
A
church spends thousands of dollars for a “place” of worship,
yet may do little to improve the actual “place of worship”
— the hearts of its members. Call it to their attention
and they will have a business meeting — dim the lights —
change the order of “service” — more externals!! It’s
like seeking happiness in things of life, and doing
nothing to change the heart that must use the things.
Genuine
Christianity changes the slave, not the master; the wife, not
her circumstances. A child of God is content “in whatsoever
state” he may be (Phil. 4:11-13), for he can “do all things
through Christ ...“ He knows there is a circumstance beyond
immediate circumstances — the love of, and obligation to, the
heavenly Father.
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