October 20

Read: Ezekiel 36:26-28

I will… cause you… to be careful to observe my ordinances (Ezekiel 36:27, R.S.V.).

Keep My Judgments, And Do Them

It is God who sanctifies me. It is the Holy Spirit who enables me to meet the requirements of God. But there are requirements. God declares, “Ye shall keep my judgments and do them.” It is His power but I must act. Jesus made this truth clear when He declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

God requires us to do His commandments but we do them after He has given us the new heart and new spirit, “I will… cause you to… be careful to observe my ordinances.” This is God’s promise and His standard. We are always to be careful to do His will — but He promises always to help us.

Is this standard of holiness too high? Is it unreasonable and impossible? This is spiritual life on a high level, but it is the high country to which God’s Word points us; it is the country to which His Spirit calls us; it is the climb on which He promises to go with us.

By the help of the Holy Spirit, I can always try carefully to do God’s will — never in my own strength alone, but never careless in my efforts. Always trying, but always relying on His help. Thus fully committed to God’s will, and always turning to Him for the power to enable us, we may enjoy the consciousness of God’s approval. This is Christian perfection.

Prayer For Today

O God, by Thy grace I shall be careful to do Thy will today — and every day. Amen.