“neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b)

Even before Jesus walked the earth, God revealed to His people the importance of commitment, and how commitment frees us from the burden of obligation. God will take our hearts from have to to want to, if we let HIM. Obligation is just for us. We use it to rid ourselves of guilt and make us feel good about ourselves. But commitment is unto the LORD:

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Nehemiah Chapter 8

Later, through the Ministry of Christ Jesus, we learned this vital Precept. Then through his ministry, the Apostle Paul used the phrase ‘I press’ to mean continuance in Christ Jesus. All believers require time, (and Paul was no exception) inasmuch as growth requires a step-by-step approach rooted in patience. Therefore, as long as we are pressing forward, we can be assured that all is well with our soul, as the song so eloquently declares:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

 Also See: Hebrews 6:1-3 & 12:1, Romans 2:29, 12:2, Ephesians 4:14-15 & 4:22-24, 1Corinthians 3:1-3, 2Corinthians 3:17-18, 1Timothy 6:12, & Galatians 5:22-25 & 6:9

As Paul has taught, so also do modern-day Pastors, at times apply his same gentle pressure toward the goal of spiritual growth and Christlikeness, and without question this is pleasing to God. Therefore, through this well-established fact, it becomes clear that complacency is not desirable, but striving toward greater commitment IS.

As long as we are working with God’s Spirit in unfeigned devotion, He will continue enabling and strengthening us and little by little, we will learn how to come up higher, sacrifice and give more of ourselves to God by serving Him and His Kingdom/people.

With all this being said, however, this reveal begs the question of obligation:

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2Corinthians 9:7)

And by this same Precept, verse 6 illustrates that the depth of one’s devotion, He will reward accordingly:

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2Corinthians 9:6)

While God is well-pleased when His children press onward in Christ; He is not pleased with our doing good deeds in order to try to appease Him. This sort of attitude is sorely lacking in sincerity. Moreover, Pastors who subscribe to this legalistic approach to serving ought to be more closely examined by his flock for his own motives.

If it doesn’t come from the heart, its phony and meaningless and God rejects that empty in all intents and purposes, as He did with Cain’s half-hearted offering:

“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” (Genesis 4:5)

Furthermore, in 1Samuel 16:7, God declares that He considers the heart-intention behind what we do:

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1Samuel 16:7)

And God considers likewise, what we neglect to do:

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

And inasmuch as He cannot be fooled, mocked or tricked in any way:

“Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:7-9)

And, this will hopefully also disparage the legalistic agreement notwithstanding the source. Because when we run to the law, instead of prayerfully looking into our hearts, it becomes all about us, our efforts and our performance.

BUT JESUS HAS SAID, “you can do nothing without Me:”

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

This is why pressing into Him brings forth spiritual fruit. But going our own way will ultimately only serve the self:

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  (Galatians 5:22-25)

Those who are sincere with unfeigned hearts before Him can abide in the confidence that God is pleased, our Pastor is pleased, providing he is of sound doctrine and an unfeigned heart himself.

But for those merely looking to check off a box, whose concern it is to proceed in their own works are stagnantly abiding in uncrucified flesh, as they persist in legality. These are much like the Pharisees. In fact they are the modern day followers of the old and cold order of Jewish law, whose main concern is being looked up to by men:

“But all of their works; they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Matthew 23:5-7)

BUT JESUS HAS SAID:

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

Also See: Matthew 23, Colossians 2 & Galatians 5

KJV

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.