NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Romans 4-6
SCRIPTURE READING
James 4:17 (ESV); So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
John 13:14 (ESV); If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to
wash one another’s feet.
There are many “ought’s” given to us in scripture and impressed upon our hearts that
we would do well to adhere to. Listening to God is important, but it does not permit us
to throw common sense to the wind. There are those things that don’t require prayer,
wise council or supernatural events before we take action.
We over-spiritualize things sometimes. But God actually doesn’t want us constantly
coming to Him in listening prayer about things we should already be doing
automatically. For an unmarried couple to pray about whether or not they should
continue living together is futile when scripture makes the point clear. Many similar
situations coincide: “Should I start tithing out of my paycheque?” “Maybe I should
start being honest on my time card.” “Should I apologize to my spouse for that
cruel comment I made?” The scenarios are countless. However we actually do ask
these sorts of questions. Not because we don’t know the answer, but because we
actually hope that in the process of God conveying His thoughts to us, something
will be twisted into a more appealing response. However, if we receive an unbiblical
answer to our questions, we can be certain that our own biases have construed the
message. God’s Word is binding and true and He will not speak against Himself.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What ought you be doing that you have cast aside? List the things that come to
mind and then honestly ask God to reveal any others. Take time to confess.
2. Where have you been over-spiritualizing things instead of using common sense
and the basic revelations of scripture?
3. What steps of action do you need to take after meditating on these questions?
Make a list of the things you need to do, and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to
start doing those things today.
