God's Consistent Truth vs. Man's Inconsistent Feelings

I recently began a new work out called “The New High Intensity Training”. To say the least, this work out is kicking my rear end. If you would like to stay in shape while not being in the gym 10 plus hours a week, I highly recommend this workout to you. On another note, this work out causes a love/hate relationship with the gym. I love to be in the gym because this workout keeps me in shape while only working out 3 days a week for a combined 90 minutes per week. You just can’t beat that! At the same time, I hate being in the gym because I literally feel like throwing up at the end of each set. It’s not fun. To be honest, I feel like quitting sometimes in the middle of the workout. However, due to the results this workout produces, I am devoted to finishing each work out every time I set foot in the gym, no matter how I feel. I’m sure your just itching to begin this workout…

As a child of God, saved by the blood of Jesus, I don’t always feel like serving Christ. Furthermore, I don’t always feel like remaining faithful and obedient. My feelings shift and are forever changing. Let me be transparent with you….One minute I feel like setting a Christ-like example for my family, and the next minute I feel like being a lazy husband and father. One day I feel like preaching the Gospel and making disciples, and the next day I feel like remaining selfish and comfortable in my faith. It is at these times in life, where I must remember that my obedience to God is not based upon how I feel, but, rather, on the consistent truth of God found in the scriptures. Our feelings are inconsistent and changing while God’s truth is consistent and steady. Our feelings change based upon a myriad of reasons(time, setting, environment, weather, health, etc). However, no matter what time of the day it is or whether or not it’s raining or sunny, God Word doesn’t change! Thus, it is rational for us to base our obedience upon the eternally consistent Word of God and not upon our inconsistent and unsteady feelings.

Consider Abraham, if his obedience was based exclusively upon his feelings, would he have taken the walk to sacrifice his son( Genesis 22)? Probably not. Consider Stephen, if his obedience was based upon his feelings, would he have been able to say to those stoning him: “Lord do not charge them with this sin(Acts 7:60).” Most likely not. Their obedience was based upon something bigger than their feelings. As you base your obedience on the truth of God found in scripture, be encouraged that the result of your obedience is beautiful praise unto Jesus Christ!