City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

14-16 When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.

Romans 2:14-16 (MSG)

Aisha’s Analysis

This week’s scripture and chapter from Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, describe the inherent laws that govern all of humanity, whether we choose to acknowledge them or not. Much like a man who does not believe in the law of gravity will learn the hard way when he jumps off a cliff, those who choose not to follow God’s law and Kingdom way will suffer much harm.

The greatest satisfaction we can experience as humans effortlessly results from exercising the freedom we have to obey God completely. Let me just say that one more time: there is freedom, joy, and deep satisfaction in obeying God. When we willingly choose to obey God, we are firing on all cylinders, so to speak. We are living according to the design God imprinted in our very being. 

If God’s law is so inherently good and fitting for all people, why doesn’t everybody just go with it? This is where deception comes into play. This is why hearing, believing, and responding in obedience to God’s Word is so important (See James 1:22). 

In the world of psychology, when a person’s thoughts do not match his actions, he experiences a discomfort called cognitive dissonance. To alleviate the discomfort, he will change his thoughts to match his actions. Apart from Christ, that’s all one could really do, even though way deep down inside he knows there’s a more excellent way. 

I leave you with this closing thought: God’s way is not only right, it’s better!  

Application

What can you practically do when you disobey God’s law? For starters, it helps to remember that obedience is not only your outward behavior (although that’s a part of it), but obedience is also an attitude of the heart. If you align your heart and mind with God’s grace and truth, then your actions will follow readily. 

Ask yourself what is it that you really want? Anything that you could possibly think of apart from God is only momentarily satisfying and cannot fill that eternal void. If you think long and hard on this, the answer will always be right standing and a good relationship with the Lord. Guess what, because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, you can have it freely! 

Trust in the finished work of Christ to set you free. Repent of the sinful behavior, but don’t live in guilt and condemnation. Start thanking God for forgiving you from all unrighteousness. Praise Him. Worship Him. Get back to advancing His Kingdom! 

Prayer

Father God, I just want to thank You for setting me free from the bondage of sin and death. I know You are working in me, giving me the desire and power to do what pleases You. Thank You for empowering me to live in holiness. I couldn’t do it without You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.