April 20, James 4:7-10

To submit to God is to obey God. What God tells us to do, we do. What He tells us not to do, we do not do. A Christian must obey God because He is the believer’s loving heavenly Father and Master.

At the start, Adam and Eve obeyed God, but under the deception of Satan, they later disobeyed God’s order by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their disobedience brought sin, suffering and sorrow into human history. But God has a way out. Jesus obeyed God, came into the world, suffered and died on the cross, and destroyed sin and death. So, you obey God by trusting Jesus as your only Lord and Saviour.You will then be righteous in God’s sight, because Jesus took away your sins.

The author of this month’s readings, as a child, gave her heart to Jesus. However, she still had to put joss sticks into the urns on the altars daily, following her parents’ wishes. She knew in her heart that she should not carry on with this practice after becoming a Christian. With God’s guidance, she told her older brother that she would take over his chore of washing the dishes while he would burn the joss sticks. Which was the easier task? The brother readily took over the simpler chore. From then on, she happily washed the dishes. She wanted to obey God and He gave her wisdom to overcome that obstacle.

The above are ways to submit to God. However, you must bear a good witness to your parents, especially so if they are not Christians. By bearing a good witness, you may be able to win them over to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, have you yelled at parents? Do you ignore your mum when she talks to you, or give one-word replies as you rather not talk to your parents? Do you complain when your father reminds you to complete your schoolwork? Have you ever asked God for forgiveness for such poor behaviour?

Ask God for wisdom and cheerfulness to obey what the Bible teaches you.

Thought: Are you doing something in your life that is against God’s commandments?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to submit to You and obey Your commandments always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.