The Father's Will
The Father's Will
An elderly man realizing that he will not live much longer calls his son to his side. "Son, there are some things that I wish for you to take care of for me before I die."
"What are they father?'
"Son the first thing will be for you to sell that apartment complex we purchased years ago. It has been a worthwhile investment, but when I am gone, your mother, who too is up in years, doesn't need to be concerned with all the legal, administrative, and residential matters inherent in such a business. Besides, the profits of the sale will be enough to take care of your mother's needs the rest of her life."
Wow! the son thought, my dad is the smartest man I know. Here he is thinking about the future concerns of our family, how to prepare for them, what action to take, and who to delegate that responsibility to in order for that person to learn by doing.
Several weeks later the son visits his dad and announces that the job assigned had been accomplished.
The father responds with praise for his son and then gives him another task.
"I want you to hire some carpenters to repair the front porch on our house. I have noticed, that some of the boards are getting quite worn with age. Your mother loves walking out there in the afternoons. After I am gone I would hate to think of her hurting herself if one of those boards should break."
The son again considers the wisdom of his father's request; how not only is he thinking of large areas of responsibility but also those details that don't seem as important, but are. "My father's reasoning in these areas is wise,' the son muses. Soon, a contractor is engaged in the renovation. Two weeks pass and the young man is given one last assignment.
"Son, after years of dealing in real estate I have concluded that the vacant lot we bought years ago as an investment has reached top value. I want you to go ahead and sell it and put the money in a money market account for you and your sisters."
The son considers his father's line of reasoning. Then reflects on the potential worth of the vacant lot. The son decides not to sell it.
Well, reader, what do you think? Did the son do his father's will 2 out of 3 times? Lets' recap. There was the selling of the apartment complex, the restoration of the porch, and the liquidation of the vacant lot. Just how faithful was the son?
This story illustrates our respect and obedience to God's authority in our lives every day. We are aware of His commands. We have familiarized ourselves with the principles and imperatives of His Word. We have an understanding of who we are in Him and how we are expected to conduct our lives. And yet we find ourselves living often in self-deception. We dangerously calculate our present righteousness by comparing our past conduct with our present. Or we do a very non-spiritual exercise and compare our piety with those around us. But worst of all we become our own ultimate authority. Often without realizing it. Consider again the young man in the above illustration. He not only failed to perform his father's desires I out of 3 times, he never performed his father's will. He always considered his father's counsel and wisdom but was only obedient when he agreed with the reasoning.
This problem is not restricted though, to matters of family. It touches on all manner of authority. This kind of selective obedience explains many of the church's present ills. It allows people to attend church without involvement, much less a recognition of any authority in the church courts. Others reason that they cannot afford to tithe this week when they are in reality not trusting God. Since we are in love we can sleep together because we will eventually get married. Besides, God loves us.
My job keeps me busy, but as soon as I get a break, I'll spend more time with my family. The government school and our church's Sunday school and youth group (see, we actually are involved at church. Jr. goes to youth group every Thursday night, except during sweeps month on TV) can take care of the secular and sacred education of my children. And so on…..
The Father wills and we obey when it is convenient and comfortable so to do, when His wisdom lines up with ours. This line of reasoning, this disobedience, makes the church peculiar to God instead of the world. When describing the wonder of salvation the apostle stated that this was something that angels desired to investigate. What must those angels think when they witness the recipients of so great a salvation not doing the Lord's bidding? Or perhaps that is part of the wonder: how God decided to redeem such an ungrateful people.
The chief cause of this is our self-reliance. We are so prosperous that we don't need God. Have you every prayed for rain so as to have an adequate harvest to feed and clothe your family? Not many of us have. Most of us work hard and receive a pay check at the end of each week that takes care of not only our necessities but also our luxuries.
Consequently, we don't need God on a day by day basis and so we do not respect Him. No fear. No fear, no obedience. Or perhaps worse, lip service.
Let us begin to evaluate our motives for obedience. He and He along possesses all authority in heaven and earth. Let's not deceive ourselves any longer.