OULINE:
Should we need a ‘holiday’ to celebrate the Lord (e.g., His birth or resurrection)?
“be ready”
from ephistemi – to set upon, set up, to stand upon, be present; in context, the active voice, imperative mood means that it is a command to be personally obeyed
The General Truth About Demands
The Bible is chock full of demands that are literally impossible for man to obey without the help of the One making them. While this seems paradoxical, it is nothing less than God’s grace. God is merely looking for willingness/humility in a man.
Obedience Is a Grace Gift
Our ability to obey the commands in the Bible is given to us by the grace of God. For example, “do not be anxious”, is a command that we can obey by grace. We cannot defeat fear by force of will. We must depend wholly on the Word and the Spirit for deliverance.
By Grace…
When God demands something of us, He does so in light of His ever-present grace. He knows (sometimes we forget) that it is impossible for mere “vessels of mercy” (Ro 9:23) to bear fruit worthy of His glory by themselves. So, He enables us.
The Blessing of Obedience
When we obey God, we are blessed; not just because it is pleasing to Him (it is), but also that our lives are oriented to His perfect plan. Obedience has the effect of reducing the friction between our conscience and our lifestyles.
The “Life Is Good” Attitude
It’s transcendent, not transactional.
2Ti 4:2 [Amplified]
preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.
If you want deliverance from fear, then OBEY the Word of God!
God Is In Control
If He is in control, then His commands are perfect.
Pr 14:26-27 [Amplified]
In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will [always] have a place of refuge. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Lk 11:9-10 [Amplified]
“So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.”
Arrogance and fear of the Lord are antithetical.
“seek”
from zeteo – means to seek by inquiring; to investigate to reach a binding (terminal) resolution; to search, “getting to the bottom of a matter.” Present-active-imperative means it is a daily command given to believers.
Pr 14:26-27 [Amplified]
In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will [always] have a place of refuge. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Sanctification is a function of obedience.
What is your attitude towards obedience?
An Obedient Mindset
Our minds must be fixed on obedience, as a way of life, not merely a laundry list of checkboxes (yes, there’s a difference). The prior is the sphere of sanctification, the latter religion.
“let us be sober”
In other words, let us NOT be intoxicated with the world and its trappings. Let us rid ourselves, voluntarily and proactively, of the ties that bind us to evil things (e.g., people, habits, stuff).
Sanctification is a function of obedience.
The Goal of Sanctification
The divine context for the life of a believer is love.