Accept the Challenge to Live Boldly

I’m not much of a student of the laws of physics, but it doesn’t take much of a student to understand that where there is no resistance, there is no pressure. And that same law could apply to our spiritual lives as well—where there is no resistance to sin (that is, when we disobey), there is no challenge to obedience.

There are no challenges

…when you allow fear to immobilize you

…when you allow peer pressure to compromise you

…when you allow your culture to conform you

…when you allow ignorance to stupefy you

…when you allow apathy to pacify you.

But you are seeking to be a man after God’s own heart. I believe you are ready to accept the challenges that come with obedience. I believe you want your life to have a bold impact for God…and that you want to become a man of godly influence. With God’s help (and that’s what it will take) you are ready to be used in powerful ways by God.

Here then are a few suggestions that will definitely help you develop a life of influence and lasting impact. If you are like me, we can never be reminded enough of these simple steps!

Step 1: Realize that God’s Word is God’s Word to YOU. As an excuse for disobedience, some people say, “If God would speak to me in a vision like He did to Paul and Ananias, or like He did with Moses, then I would obey.” But God has revealed Himself to us! God has revealed Himself to us in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in His Word, the Bible. Let’s stop making excuses and start obeying God’s Word.

Step 2: Realize what God’s commands are and obey them.

What kind of commands? Commands like…

“Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25).

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1).

“Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully” (Ephesians 4:25).

“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Step 3: Constantly seek God’s strength to follow through on His commands. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10 NASB). What God expects you to do, He also enables you to do. The strength comes from Him. You just need a willing heart.

Step 4: Repent when you have disobeyed God’s standards. God does not ask you to be perfect, but He asks you to progress and grow in maturity. God uses pure vessels. So

…keep a clean slate with God

…acknowledge your sin

…accept the forgiveness God offers

…move on boldly for God.

Step 5: Rejoice in even the smallest victories. No war is ever won in one battle. And neither is your war against the challenge to obedience. Spiritual growth happens one step at a time, one victory at a time. So thank God even for the smallest of victories in Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24).

Your outcome in life doesn’t depend on your income, but on how you overcome. It all comes down to this: an influential life for God is dependent on an obedient life to God. **

RESPOND:

Lord, help me to be an overcomer in life, and life boldly for You. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In “The Man Who Makes A Difference”, Jim George explores how Paul took God's priorities for life and made them his own.

REFLECT:

What challenge are you ready to embrace this week knowing that God enables you to overcome?

REMEMBER:

Spiritual growth happens one step at a time.