On Successfully Following Our Master

In taking my recent morning walks, this writer has observed an elderly gentleman taking his two small dogs (one is black and one is brown; a Heinz 57 variety) for their daily walk around our local Veteran's Park. While engaging in my own exercise regimen, I noticed that the two small dogs had no leash. They were free to run anywhere in the park, however, they amazingly remained not far from their master.

Their master only carried a wooden stick with which to direct the dogs. When he sat on a park bench to rest, they quietly sat on the grass. When he got up to continue his walk, they immediately got up and followed him.

Just like the dogs in the above illustration (also see these two observations), our Master has a kind of walking stick by which He directs his followers (Christians), called the "rod of iron"; a symbol of authority (see here and here); ultimately, the unbendable and invincible Word of God (see here).

The boundaries (limitations) which the above elderly gentleman set for his two dogs, are similar in nature to the boundaries which our Master has set for us (Acts 17:26; cf. Deuteronomy 32:8). We cannot, without penalty, go beyond the boundaries set by the invincible Word of God (Galations 6:7-8; cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6). Note the phrase that Balaam uttered in Numbers 22:18; 24:13) "I could not go beyond" (the boundaries that God set in His Word).

The boundaries that God has set for us as His followers are clear. We have "free agency" with the God-given ability to choose either (1) righteousness or unrighteousness ["lawlessness" - NKJV]; (2) light or darkness; (3) Almighty God or idols (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

If we want God to be our Heavenly Father, successfully following Him (2 Corinthians 6:16-18), the above six choices are ours to make (Joshua 24:14-15). Which will we choose? (see here).

---Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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