Full Obedience

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22

It may be easy to look at someone who travels the globe for the sake of the gospel or offers all their possesions or time, as one who is a "doer of the word" and in many aspects they may be but what is in their heart is the chief concern. This morning we heard about Saul and his "incomplete obedience" in 1 Samuel 15...how often I am guilty of the same. It may be easy for me to say, "yes, Lord I will follow you...wherever!" but what about my thoughts? my words? Is it not just 2 chapters later where James speaks about taming the tongue? I confess these are areas that "easily beset me", where I feel I am constantly asking for forgiveness and wondering if there will be a day when God will have full reign in these areas. Will I completely obey the Lord or, as Saul did... obey partially and think I have done well? May it be the former...

"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8,9

I wrote this on Sunday but something was lacking... This morning one of my co-workers was reading her devotional on 1 John 4 (our school's them verses for the year) and she read to me "that nothing can separate us from the love of God" Romans 8 and that guilt, fear, condemnation...these are not of the Lord. These are things I "know" but sometimes I don't really know them. I'm so thankful that His love for me is not dependent on who I am..."God is love" 1 John 4...