"Choices or Obligations?"

 

“Choices or Obligations?”

 

When my brother Dave was in the advanced ROTC program at college he received an “invitation” to a gathering at the colonel’s home. He was flattered by this until he learned that in Armyese “invitation” means “You will be there!”, thus it’s to be interpreted as an order. So guess where he was at the stated time. (In effect his response was “Yes, Sir”.)

Army General Leonard Wood had an outstanding career as an officer (including Chief of Staff), physician and public official. (Fort Leonard Wood, a major Army training installation in Missouri, is named in his honor.) He once visited the King of France on a diplomatic mission and made such a strong impression that the King invited him to dinner the next day. Based on his military experience General Wood didn’t respond so the King was surprised to see him. He reasoned that “A king’s invitation is never to be answered but to be obeyed.” (In effect his response was “Yes, Your Majesty”.)

What’s true in the military chain of command is also true in our service for God. When He gives a command in His Word it’s not something to be debated but obeyed. Let’s think about God’s call to Abram: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). There’s no record of his questioning God’s directive—the account says simply, “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him….” (Genesis 12:4, emphasis added). His act of faith is cited many times as an example to ensuing generations. Others who followed God’s instructions when they didn’t make sense humanly include Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 6), Gideon’s leadership of God’s army of 300 in defeating the Midianites (Judges 6-7) and Paul (“…I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”—Acts 26:19). (In effect their responses were “Yes, Lord”.) Had any of us been in the place of these great followers of God and leaders of people would we (I) have responded as they did?

God has promised blessings when we obey Him including prosperity and success in His sight (Joshua 1:8), favor on our succeeding generations (Deuteronomy 5:29), contentment (Job 36:11) and answered prayer (1 John 3:22). But He’s also warned of the consequences of disobedience: His hand will be against us (1 Samuel 12:15), we’ll be separated from Him (Isaiah 59:2) and be subject to His judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8). The options are before each of us—in the words of Ira Stanphill’s 1961 song, “The Choice Is Mine”. And it’s yours too. What will it be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan (with helpful input from Karen)