If You Say You Know Him

Alright, now, and dip me into that there sorghum molasses, Buttercup, you done better be ‘a-pullin’ yourself up here on this here front porch where the lil’ ol’ hummin’birds are ‘a-flittin’ ‘round like they done got way too much work to do ‘a-fore the sun even decides to be ‘a-clockin’ in. We’re ‘bout to step right on into 1 John 2:3-4, which done says, “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands.” And right along with that, Jesus Himself done says in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” That there is God’s real good way o’ ‘a-sayin’ don’t go ‘round ‘a-claimin’ you done be ‘a-knowin’ Jesus if your obedience is ‘a-limpin’ along like a lil’ ol’ three-legged goat ‘a-walkin’ on a gravel road.

Now, Buttercup, let’s be ‘a- talkin’ real plain. Is there an area of your life where you jes’ ain’t  obeyin’ God? When you read His Word, do you actually do what it says, or do you treat it like one of them there instruction manuals you done toss aside ‘cause you think you done already know how to assemble the lawn mower? The Lord ain’t  askin’ for selective obedience. He’s done askin’ for the whole barn, not jus’ the lil’ ol’ broom closet.

Let me get real specific right here. The Bible done says believers can’t  be yoked with unbelievers. That’s 2 Corinthians 6:14. But some folks done try that “romance evangelism,” ’a-thinkin’ they can be ‘a-datin’ someone right on into the kingdom. That there’s like ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-teachin’ a raccoon some of them there real good table manners. It really does sound noble, but it done ends up with a mess and somebody ‘a-cryin’. When your heart gits all tangled up, your judgment gits a whole lot foggier than a bathroom mirror after a hot shower.

And what ‘bout your finances? When God done tells you what to do, do you git to obeyin’, or do you start to explainin’ like a lil’ ol’ kid caught with cookie crumbs all oer’ his lil’ face? Obedience jes’ ain’t ‘bout convenience. It’s ‘bout trust. Psalm 119:60 done says, “I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands.” That there done means no stallin’, no wigglin’, no bargainin’.

This here is one o’ them there real tough ones. How many pages have you done ripped out o’ the Bible in your mind ‘cause you don’t like what they done said? We done live in a world where folks mix a li bitl’ o’ tradition, a lil’ bit o’ culture, and a whole lot o’ emotion, then be ‘a-callin’ it Christianity. No wonder the church done looks as confused as a lil’ ol’ rooster in a henhouse full of ducks.

Obedience jes’ don’t prove you’re perfect. It done proves you’re His. If you truly be ‘a-knowin’ Him, you’ll be ‘a-wantin’ to obey Him, even in them there real hard places.

Lord, help me be ‘a-walkin’ in obedience, not pickin’ and choosin’ like I am at a buffet. Be ‘a-showin’ me where I need to surrender and be ‘a-strengthenin’ me to follow You fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, by thunder, Buttercup, as you go to be a’-steppin off’n this here front porch and right back into your day, you gotta be ‘a-keepin’ in mind that obedience jes’ ain’t no chore, it’s a real good compass. It done keeps you from ‘a-wanderin’ off like a calf that done squeezed right through the fence. It done steadies your steps like a mule ‘a-pullin’ a plow. And it done proves your heart really is belongin’ to Jesus, not the culture, not your feelings, and not your excuses. You best be ‘a-walkin’ in obedience, so’s you’ll be ‘a-findin’ and ‘a-walkin’ in peace.

With joy,

Gwen