My son Steve knows his "floppy hat" is reserved for life's most informal times. This hat, which would look good on a fisherman by the lake, is not to be worn to church or school. So, when he grabbed it one morning on his way out of the house to catch the school bus, he knew he was breaking a rule.
Parents understand these kinds of battles. We recognize that our children will test our rules, and we are not surprised when they challenge us. They know they aren't supposed to watch certain TV programs or stay out too late or use a disrespectful tone of voice or fight with a sibling. Yet they still do.
This is not unlike the attitude we sometimes take with our heavenly Father. We know what is right and wrong (Jas. 4:17). We've read the Bible. We've sensed in our hearts the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We know. Yet we test God.
We know it's wrong to speak disparagingly of others. We know it's not right to neglect those in need. We know we should witness to our neighbor. We know we should pray. We know that when the Lord returns we should be faithfully serving and obeying Him (Lk. 12:42-43). We know!
How it pleases God when we act on what we already know! — Dave Branon
"We love You, Lord Jesus," we often may say,
But are we as ready His will to obey?
Let's heed what God's Spirit has told us to do,
For that's how we show Him a love that is true. —DJD
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. —Chambers