Naval Inquiry
Theme of the Week: Focused Freedom
Jerry Bridges
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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Key Bible Verses: Those who disobeyed him … were not allowed to enter his rest because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:18-19). Bonus Reading:Hebrews 4:1-6
I was in charge of a Navy operation in which a mishap occurred that put my future naval service in jeopardy. A boat was lost and a dozen or more lives endangered. Though the cause of the mishap was mechanical failure, it was also true that we weren't conducting the operation exactly according to the rules. During the ensuing investigation, I was strongly tempted to protect myself by covering up this fact. But God calls us to obey Him even when it requires deliberate sacrifice or exposure to danger. I knew I had to be completely truthful and trust God for the consequences.
Obedience to the revealed will of God is often as much a step of faith as claiming a promise from God. An intriguing insight from the Book of Hebrews is how the writer uses obedience and faith interchangeably. [In today's Key Bible Verses] he speaks of the Old Testament Hebrews who would never enter God's rest because they disobeyed. Yet they weren't able to enter because of their unbelief. This same interchange also occurs in [today's Bonus Reading].
God blessed my obedience in the naval investigation. It focused totally on the mechanical failure, and my career wasn't harmed.
—Jerry Bridges in The Pursuit of Holiness
My Response: An area of obedience that would grow my faith is …
Thought to Apply: It is our business to see that we do right; God will see that we come out right.
—Donald Grey Barnhouse (pastor and radio speaker)
Adapted from The Pursuit of Holiness (NavPress, 1978) by permission.
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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Lord, help me move beyond "have to" to "want to" in relating to Your commands.
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