Two Ways to Drive
Theme of the Week: Following Directions
Jerry Bridges
Saturday, August 3, 2002
 1 of 1
Two Ways to Drive
Theme of the Week: Following Directions
Saturday, August 3
Q. What's the usual approach to obedience?
A. The cruise control approach. Drivers accelerate to their desired speed, push the button, and take their foot off the accelerator. They don't have to watch the speedometer to make sure they won't get a speeding ticket. And they avoid fatigue from constant foot pressure on the accelerator.
We tend to obey God in the same way. We press the obedience pedal until we're avoiding scandalous sin and are blending in with other Christians around us. Then we push the "cruise control" button and ease back. Our Christian culture takes over and keeps us going at the accepted level of conduct. We don't have to watch the speed-limit signs in God's Word or experience the fatigue that comes with seeking to obey with all our heart, soul, and mind.
What's the other approach?
The race-car driver approach. He's totally focused on driving to win the race. His foot is always on the accelerator as he pushes his car to the limits of its mechanical ability and endurance. His eye's always on the track as he presses to its limit his own skill in negotiating the turns on the track and the hazards of other cars around him.
Christians are urged to obey like this. Those who do are willing to deal with the "refined" sins in their lives and the so-called little sins that others may consider unimportant. They're willing to commit themselves to a goal of obedience without exception. In the words of Hebrews 12:14 (NIV), they "make every effort … to be holy."
Jerry Bridges is the author of The Discipline of Grace.
Adapted from: The Discipline of Grace (NavPress, 1994).
Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
July/August 2002,Vol. 5,No. 4
1 of 1
 share this page
Sovereign Lord, help me to commit myself without reservation to You and Your Word.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
