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Blog Jeremiah's Blog Almost is Not Enough | Almost is Not Enough |
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[3.29.2008 -- Knoxville, TN] Just today, as I was listening to the radio during my long Jacksonville - Knoxville drive, I heard a commercial... and it really got me thinking. The person speaking in the commercial said something similar to, "Today, John almost gave a homeless person a blanket. Today, Jennifer almost cooked a meal for her neighbor who has AIDS. Today, Bob almost donated money to the homeless shelter...". When I heard that commercial I instantly felt conviction. I have had thoughts like that SO many more times than I have actually acted on them. Having generous thoughts always make me feel like a generous and giving person, but don't always translate into action. The commercial makes the point that "almost" is not good enough. In reality "almost" is nothing more than a good intention... useless. There is a huge difference between good intentions and obedience. Good Intentions only serve to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. Beyond that, they accomplish nothing. Obedience is totally different. Instead of pointing to ourselves, obedience points to the one that we are obeying and requires action. In Mark 4, Jesus and the disciples were on a ship in the middle of a violent storm. Jesus was asleep in the front and the disciples were overcome with fear, thinking they would surely sink. In a panic, they woke Jesus up. Jesus spoke to the wind and waves, telling them to be still. At that moment, much to the surprise of the disciples, the weather immediately calmed down. In verse 41, the Bible says, "They were terrified and asked each other, ""Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"" What an amazing response. They were not considering how obedient the wind and waves were. Instead, they were in awe of the man that the wind and the waves had obeyed. Jesus expects a few things from those that believe in Him. In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." If we are the hands and feet of Jesus to this world, what we do reflects on Him. So when He instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves, He means it. "Almost" is not enough.
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