THE COMMAND THAT CREATES
Quote for Today
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WORD FROM THE HOLY BIBLE FOR TODAY
Ephesians 5:14
“Anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.””
REFLECTION
THE COMMANDS OF JESUS CARRY THE POWER TO CREATE NEW LIFE
“When Jesus commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead, how did he obey that command? John 11:43 says, “He [Jesus] cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’” That was a command to a dead man. The next verse says, “The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips” (John 11:44).
How did Lazarus do that? How does a dead man obey a command to live again? The answer seems to be: The command carries the power to create new life. Obedience to the command means doing what living people do.
This is extremely important. The command of God, “Rise from the dead!” carries in it the power we need to obey it. We do not obey it by creating that life. We obey it by doing what living people do — Lazarus came forth. He rose. He walked out to Jesus. The call of God creates life. We respond in the power of what the call creates.
In Ephesians 5:14, Paul says, “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” How do you obey a command to wake up from sleep? If your house has poisonous carbon monoxide in it, and someone cries out, “Wake up! Save yourself! Get out!” you don’t obey by waking yourself up. The loud, powerful command itself wakes you up. You obey by doing what wakeful people do in the face of danger. You get up and leave the house. The call creates the waking. You respond in the power of what the call created — wakefulness.
I believe this is the explanation for why the Bible says paradoxical things about new birth; namely, that we must get ourselves new hearts, but that it is God who creates the new heart. For example:
Deuteronomy 10:16: “Circumcise your heart!”
Deuteronomy 30:6: “The Lord will circumcise your heart.”
Ezekiel 18:31: “Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!”
Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”
John 3:7: “You must be born again.”
1 Peter 1:3: “God caused us to be born again.”
The way to obey the command to be born is to first experience the divine gift of life and breath, and then to do what living, breathing people do: cry out to God in faith and gratitude and love. When the command of God comes with the creating, converting power of the Holy Spirit, it gives life. And we believe and rejoice and obey.”
- By John Piper. © Desiring God Foundation.
THE COMMAND THAT CREATES
THE COMMANDS OF JESUS CARRY THE POWER TO CREATE NEW LIFE
As followers of Jesus, we should seriously consider the transformative power of His commands and how they bring spiritual renewal and eternal life. His words are not just instructions but life-giving forces that reshape our hearts, minds, and actions. Therefore, we must commit to obedience, trusting that His commands lead to true freedom, joy, and purpose. Lastly, we should actively share His life-giving message with others, knowing that His words have the power to awaken faith and bring salvation.
Neven MacEwan
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus, whose words bring life, transformation, and truth. I humbly ask for a heart that is obedient to His commands, trusting fully in His wisdom and love. Strengthen my faith so that I may walk in boldness, not just hearing His words but living them out daily in sincerity and action. Fill me with Your Spirit, that I may reflect Christ in all I do, bringing glory to Your name and sharing His life-giving message with the world. Amen.
Neven MacEwan
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