Read: John
14:9-21
He that
hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that
loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
myself to him. John 14:21
When I view the commands of Christ as
restrictions rather than as expressions of His love for me, I need revival.
Young people are notorious for their
dislike of rules. It seems that almost every teenager goes through some level
of rebellion during their teenage years. They are caught somewhere in between
the “I’m-not-a-kid-so-don’t-treat-me-like-one” stage and the
“I’m-not-an-adult-so-don’t-force-responsibility-on-me” stage. Admittedly, that
is a tough stage of life to be living through. A problem arises, however, when
young people decide to take out their frustration at the awkwardness they feel
on their parents, their authorities, and the rules. Many teens begin to long for
the day when they will be free to follow the sin they crave. Although the rules
their parents have set do not allow them to chase every sinful whim and desire,
it does not keep a young man who needs revival from wanting to chase it.
When you view the rules your parents have
set in place as persecution rather than as protection, then you need revival.
Those rules are not there because your parents hate you or because they want
your life to be miserable. They are there because your parents know you very
well, and they know what mistakes you are susceptible to making. They are
trying to protect you from making a foolish and unknowing mistake that could
ruin your life for years to come. Don’t fall prey to the devil’s lie when he
tells you that your parents are just trying to keep you from having fun. Sure,
worldly pleasures may be fun for a time, but they will not last – you will only
be left with emptiness and regret.
To get to the spiritual level that you are
capable of as a young man and to truly be right with God, there must be a
mindset shift. Think of everything God has given you – salvation, parents,
home, clothes, protection, life, etc.
How can you not lovingly follow the rules laid out by those God has
given to help us. If you follow God out of duty rather than out of love for Him
and for righteousness, then you need revival. When it comes to rules and
restrictions, it is not that I cannot follow worldly pleasures; the fact is
that I don’t have to. There are millions addicted to drugs, alcohol, and
smoking. I could go do those things tomorrow if I wanted to, but I don’t have
to. I am not the slave, they are! When you begin to see the rules as a
tremendous help rather than as a hindrance, then you are on the track toward revival
and toward God’s blessing.
Quote of the day: “Life is full of obstacle illusions.” – Grant Fuller
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