When it does not pay to obey

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Have you too been deceived? Have you too asked yourself why you’re endlessly wrestling, striving, fighting against your own flesh, against your own understanding, against your own inclinations of self-preservation and protection to quit, to stop stressing yourself out, and to just be kind to yourself?

“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. … Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.” Psalm 73:3-5, 12-13

Why am I doing this?! Why do I resist what the world around me is telling me is right, is love, is good? Why do I resist the ideas that I deserve a break, that I’m worth it, that it is my human right, and that I am simply being who I am-who God created me to be, following my natural instincts for survival, and to enjoy my best life now? Why do I resist believing in myself, following my heart, thinking that ‘I’m good enough, I’m strong enough, and doggone it - people like me!’

“I tell you this, sisters: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. …in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. …the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ … But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:50-58

In the Lord, your labor is not in vain.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

It is the things that are above, heavenly things, spiritual things that are imperishable, that are immortal. It is the things that are above that will satisfy fully, completely, and forever.

The things that we see and observe with our natural eyes are the things that are perishable, mortal, unsatisfying, and temporary.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: …covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

“I press on… straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires…” I John 2:15-17

The world tells us in times of sorrow and suffering that ‘this too shall pass’. Just like every lie of the devil, he’s taken something true, and twisted it ever so slightly. These times of tears and mourning are only temporary only for those who are in Christ and endure to the end. This world with its pains and trials, and its pleasures and happiness, shall pass away. Those in Christ will live for eternity in peace, rest, and joy. While those who are not in Christ will die for eternity in turmoil, distress, and sorrow.

“Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more… But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” Psalm 37:8-11

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7

Things are not as they appear. This is the best that the world will experience. This is the worst true Christians will experience. And life on this earth is but a mist, a vapor. That is how Paul is able to confidently label these things "light" and "momentary". (James 4:14; II Corinthians 4:16-18)

“Do not look on his appearance… For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10

“until I went into the sanctuary of God… it seemed to me a wearisome task… how to understand this… I was brutish and ignorant… pricked in the heart… my soul was embittered…I was like a beast toward You.” Psalm 73:16, 17, 21, 22

Until we enter into the sanctuary of God… Until we turn away from the things of this earth… Until we turn to the LORD, and seek Him… Until we tear our eyes, our thoughts, our affections, and our focus off of earthly things, and look to heaven, to Jesus, we are going to grow weary, disheartened, and discouraged.

Gracious, heavenly Father, “Incline our hearts to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn our eyes from looking at worthless things; and give us life in Your ways.” Psalm 119:36-37

Father, give me such love and affection for You, for Your glory, Your Church, Your kingdom that I cheerfully, joyfully trust, obey, and serve You out of gratitude for who You are, and not out of an attempt to earn Your favor to have my own will done. Not to selfish gain. Not to worthless things as selfish gain, which is idolizing myself, self-worship.

Turn my eyes, renew my mind, transform my thinking, my understanding, and my affections away from what I and the world judge to be good and right; and turn my eyes, renew my mind, transform my thinking, my understanding, and my affections towards what You, Creator and Judge, say to be good and right in Your Word.

“Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. …practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

Jesus, the Word made flesh, God incarnate is the only thing, the only One true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise. Think about Jesus. Meditate on the Word.

And be warned, the more we turn away from thinking about those around us, and turn to think about Jesus, the more we will know Him in His holiness, and the more we will know ourselves in our depravity. But do not stop there!

It’s been said that comparison is the thief of joy, but that is only true when we compare ourselves to anyone other than Jesus. When we, being in Jesus, compare ourselves to Jesus, we are humbled and in awe that He cares for us, loves us, and wants share His glory with us.

“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:9-11

“for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

As a dear sister recently encouraged (and convicted!) me, ‘let them see your joy’. Letting others see our joy in the midst of horrendous sorrow and suffering may be an opportunity to share with them the reason for our hope that will not bring shame. (I Peter 3:15; Romans 5:5)

"as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions... We are treated as...sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; ...as having nothing, yet possessing everything." II Corinthians 6:4, 8, 10

'A series of paradoxes again highlighting the contrast between the viewpoint of this world and the standpoint of the age to come, the standpoint invisible to the natural eye but seen by the eye of faith.' (commentary from The Reformation Study Bible by Ligonier Ministries)

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:17

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked... For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:7-9

-Soli Deo gloria