Begining to see how vital obediance to HIM is....

Greetings

I have started reading "The Cost Of Disciples," by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I have only read the first few chapters but already I am so convicted and have found myself in tears seeking the Lord. I have to say that I really never understood just how vital living my life in submission and obedience to Christ was until God opened my eyes to this truth. For so long I have happily lived my life thinking that obedience was in some way an option and if I blew it and sinned well God was going to forgive me anyway because He knows how weak I am. I used that as an excuse to continue living in fear, and selfishness for along time. I know see what a lack of faith that was in Jesus. HE is fully capable of keeping me from sinning. God is capable of helping me over come and fully able to help me walk in submission and obedience to HIM. Honestly though it goes even further then that because I have such a desire to "want" to live in submission to HIM. I want to live with HIM as Lord of my life... I want HIM to be in complete control to have my whole heart!

I hope no one will misunderstand what I am trying to share. I know God does forgive me, and I know I am not perfect, that there will be occasions when sin will raise its ugly head but I think what God is showing me is that I don't have to live with that excuse that self wants to always grab hold of as a reason to go on living in a sinful worldly manner. Jesus wants me to submit unto HIM, HE helps me to submit unto HIM, and by HIS strength I can submit unto HIM!! IF my focus is HIM, and HIM only as Lord of my life there is nothing that is not possible. Amazingly I feel so free right now I just wanted to share what the Lord is doing in my life!!

God Bless you all
mj

Praise the Lord!!!
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Emmanuel!
God is with us!

We are so blessed!

Oh sister! I so often feel like I am just beginning to see how vital obedience to HIM is and I am also made more aware it seems all the time of how disobedient I really can be. Oh that I might obey Him completely. It is not easy, but it is a thing to strive for is it not?

Indeed. It would seem that God is moving several of His children in this direction...

Jason Smith

God bless you, MaryJane!

"it goes even further then that because I have such a desire to "want" to live in submission to HIM. I want to live with HIM as Lord of my life... I want HIM to be in complete control to have my whole heart!"

AMEN!

"Jesus wants me to submit unto HIM, HE helps me to submit unto HIM, and by HIS strength I can submit unto HIM!! IF my focus is HIM, and HIM only as Lord of my life there is nothing that is not possible. Amazingly I feel so free right now I just wanted to share what the Lord is doing in my life!!"

Obedience is not all that difficult when you love the person is it? Discouragement occurs when we take our eyes off of Jesus and observe our own human nature and how it rears its ugly head...then it is a "LORD, have mercy" moment...

It is a pleasure to read the testimonies here on SI of how the LORD is convicting and people are responding...such an encouragement - I kid you not. The devil is working hard in my extended family and it looks like he is winning so these testimonies are like a breathe of fresh air! :-)

ginnyrose

I believe Bonhoffer said that when Christ bids a man to come to him he bids him to come and die.

This is something that I found to in just reading the Word, His call is always Follow Me, or Come unto me people fail to see ultimately where He went, the Cross to die. Its a heavy truth but still truth nonetheless.

I also enjoy Paul what wrote to the effect of its not longer I who live but Christ in me. I looked and looked for the scriptural reference but couldn't find it :( I will keep looking and if I find it I will post it I think its in Romans if anyone knows which verse I am talking about. :)

I think obedience to Gods will is essential to salvation. Jesus said:

7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 7:21

Only those who DO the will of God will be accepted into the Kingdom. Amen?

thank you all for your replies. I am really seeing things from a new perspective. I am seeing and understanding things that I did not want to see in my flesh because I wanted excuses to continue on in my sin and disobedience to God, but in HIS love and mercy HE is helping me overcome that attitude of heart. I realize just how weak I am but there is no reason to be downcast because HE is so strong and able!!!

Martyr: you mentioned another author Richard Wurmbrand, I have heard of his writings although I have not read the book you mentioned. Thank you for the suggestion I will prayerfully consider reading it next.

Ginnyrose: thank you dear sister for your encouragement. No I am learning that submitting myself unto Jesus is not so difficult when my focus is on HIM only. Submitting and obeying I believe go with loving HIM...and HE is so very deserving of my complete devotions, love, heart, even my life!!!

Endzone: I have been praying for you. There have been many occasions in my life where I have brought great pain and sadness down upon those I love because of my unwillingness to submit myself unto the LORD and obey HIM. I know that many have suffered because of self living on my part, but I am so very thankful that JESUS is forgiving and able to help me over come this rebellious heart. I truly do find real joy, peace and freedom in living in submission and obedience to HIM only! I know its not something I can do in and of myself but with HIM all things truly are possible!!

God Bless
maryjane

Mary Jane
You inspired me to pick up my copy of Bonhoeffers "The Cost of Discipleship". I am now approaching chapter 3. All I can say is what Isaiah said in chapter 6. Woe is me for I am undone...I feel like I am falling so short. Thanks for prodding me in the right direction